BRIAN RICHESSON | Scrappers The Gorilla joins Scrappy for more fun

NILES -- On their way to the 2002 World Series championship, the Anaheim Angels had the rally monkey.
Now, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers have the random monkey.
For the first time in their six-year history, the Scrappers have another mascot working in conjunction with Scrappy.
He's known simply as The Gorilla.
"Scrappy is still our mascot; he's the face of our team," said Joe Gregory, director of business development for the Scrappers and part of the brain-trust behind the new idea.
"But this is a nice supplement," he added. "You get the adults having fun with it and the older kids who grew up with Scrappy."
Behind the costume
That's the basis behind The Gorilla -- he caters to an older crowd. He's also more blue collar, wearing a construction hat and Army boots with a Scrappers jersey.
How fitting, then, that the man behind the costume was in the Army.
Meet 25-year-old Phil Kidd of Pittsburgh, a graduate of North Georgia military college who befriended Gregory in student government at Youngstown State.
Before the New York-Penn League season began, they talked about the idea of utilizing a gorilla suit the Scrappers had purchased.
Gregory thought Kidd, at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, would play the perfect part.
"Phil's in great shape, and if you watch during the game, he never stops moving," Gregory said. "Once Phil got into the suit, he personified it and turned it into something outgoing, not subtle."
Kidd, a graduate of Burgettstown High, will show up almost anywhere at Eastwood Field, performing a number of skits. The Scrappers have given him the freedom to do whatever he wants.
"I'm an outgoing person to begin with," Kidd said. "The mix between 'cool enough to identify with adults and personable enough to relate to kids' was a good fit for the role."
Kidd has become so popular at Eastwood Field that he's grown accustomed to posing for pictures and signing autographs. He can even be seen on a local television commercial.
"I learned to pace myself," Kidd said. "I found out that people were interested in meeting me, signing autographs and taking photos. I've adapted the role where I can interact with the crowd more."
Contributor
Because Kidd has no prior experience as a mascot, his rookie season with the Scrappers is one giant educational opportunity.
"I came back to Youngstown because of the development I saw here," he said. "By helping the Scrappers, I feel like I'm contributing indirectly to the community."
In turn, the community is responding to the new act.
"Aren't you hot?" is the comment Kidd hears most. He's been called "Manilla Gorilla", "Ape Man" and "Monkey Man," and he can't stop for long periods of time, else he'll be swarmed by fans.
So he's always on the go, keeping his eyes open for another group to entertain.
"So far, so good," Kidd said of the role. "I didn't really have a plan, but [The Gorilla] is taking off."
richesson@vindy.com