Citizens Bank Park

Follow The Crowd: Finding a team’s ball park is the easiest thing in the world if you get off at the right station. Unlike my home town, I got it right on my first attempt so all I had to do was follow the sea of red. When I got to the street I felt like I had entered a strange new world, and an efficient one at that. At first glance I saw the Eagles Stadium, then the arena for the 76’ers and Flyers. Citizens Bank Park was up ahead on the left. Within a hundred yards I’m passing by the site where Veteran’s Stadium once stood. It’s a parking lot now, performing the same function that the ground where Shea Stadium once stood does for Citi Field in Queens. I gave a respectful eye at the monument the Phillies have erected dedicated to the brave men and women, who gave their last full measure to preserve our freedom. That’s where the name Veteran’s stadium came from.

I’m walking slowly because I want to take it all in. Who knows if or when I’ll ever get back here? I’m all eyes as I inch closer. I admire the handsome brick facade and the massive height of the grandstand. This ball park looks huge. There are plenty of informational markers, each offering a directional arrow, so even a rookie like me knows where to go.

Step Right Up: I entered through the third-base gate. I’m so thrilled to be in a new ball park that I don’t even mind missing the cut for the “14 years & under” Phillies back-to-school backpack giveaway. I told a Phillies employee handing out the bags that I missed it by a year because I was fifteen. Without flinching she responded that I looked like I was thirteen. With every ounce of my being, I fought the urge to tell her that I acted like it, too, but it was a losing battle and I finally blurted it out. She smiled, rolled her eyes and said “enjoy the game.”

Questions Galore: All the ball parks have “good-will ambassadors” now. I’m sure they have many responsibilities, but for my money they seem to specialize in answering questions about what’s good to eat, where to find a restroom, telling you to “enjoy the game” and talking to each other. I’m all for another Philly cheese steak but wouldn’t mind some ribs as well. I ask an ambassador about the latter and he directed me to Bull’s, which is located right in the middle of the food court, behind center field.

Bull’s BBQ: I had the Ribs with beans and cold slaw. The portions were huge and the food was delicious. I enjoyed a nice chat on Phillies history with some locals. Topics included Bunning versus Carlton (Bunning was nasty on any given day but Carlton had the better curve and lengthier career), Mike Schmidt’s prickly personality, Richie Ashburn’s ability to hit to all fields and my favorite, the collapse of the 1964 team. I soon learn that it’s not just Mike Schmidt with the prickly personality, and before I alienate these nice folks any further, I thanked them for their company and moved along.

The Bull: Off to a corner, just beyond the cash registers, was Greg “Bull” Luzinski himself, the man who the restaurant is named after, holding court to an endless procession of patrons. For those of you who may not know, he was a feared power hitter who terrorized big-league pitchers for fifteen long seasons, most of them played right here in Philadelphia. I gave him a good look and quickly realized his muscles had muscles. He’s aging well and is handsome. He’ll sign an autograph, for you, too. I don’t collect autographs anymore, but I shook his hand and asked him which pitcher was the toughest for him to hit. Without any hesitation, he said “Seaver was the best.” This quick remark made him a man among boys in my book, as Tom Seaver was always my favorite Met. After a momentary pause Luzinski quickly added that John Montefusco was also very tough on him, especially in Candlestick Park. I’m enjoying my experience but realize it’s time to find my seat as the game was about to begin.

Make-Up Game: I sat in the “Hall of Fame” section, in the second deck, slightly to the right of home plate. I loved this seat! Not only was the view outstanding, but there was a concrete overhang just above that would keep me dry in the event of rain. The woman who sat next to me bragged about it during the first inning, but added that if the rain came in sideways we would get wet. I got a bit crestfallen upon hearing this news because it’s my experience that whenever I’m around it does rain sideways. Regardless of when it rains or how hard, the teams will work very hard to get the game in because the season is ending and the games need to be played. Today’s affair would have been played on August 28 but was postponed due to Hurricane Irene.  It commenced at 2:36pm under cloudy, threatening skies. The temperature was a comfortable 74 degrees, with the wind blowing from left field to right.

Phillies Line Up: With the season ending soon, and with so many of these make-up games to play, the Phillies rolled out a lineup that had a few backup players. This was their starting lineup: Victorino in center, Polanco at third, Pence in right field, Howard playing first and batting cleanup, Ibanez in left, Orr playing second base, Schneider catching, Martinez playing shortstop and Kyle Kendrick pitching. It’s not their “A” team, but it’s still formidable.

First Blood: Polanco singles and is balked over to second as a light drizzle begins. Pence drives a high offering to deep left field that lands just fair of the foul line, driving Polanco in with the Phillies first run. With Pence at second base, Ibanez golfs a low offering off the right-field scoreboard, making the score Phillies 2, Marlins 0.

Rain, Rain Go Away: As the game unfolded the weather became increasingly unsettled, and the drizzle turned into rain. It rained hard in the second but by the third it had stopped and the sun was trying to break through.

The Marlins Score: Kyle Kendrick was pitching well and had kept the Marlins off-balance. When Logan Morrison launched a home run about six rows past the left-center field fence in the top of the fifth, it was the Marlins first hit. Phillies 2, Marlins 1.

Wow! In the bottom of the seventh, Schneider singled down the right field line. Martinez walked. Then Chase Utley pinch hit and I got what I came for.

The entire stadium went electric, as the cheers cascaded down on one of the most popular players in the franchise’s history. When he lined a single into center field, the place exploded. Polanco then singled, and Schneider came home with the last run of the game. Phillies 3, Marlins 1.

More Rain! The rain resumed in the eighth inning and everyone, except the umpires and players, ran for cover. I knew I could follow the game due to the presence of the monitors placed throughout the ball park, so I decided to explore. Before too long I learned that my section was named “Hall of Fame” because it housed the Phillies nod to those talented enough to get in. It’s an awesome place to visit, and I’m so grateful I saw it.

Gorgeous: Three sections cover a variety of Philadelphia Hall of Fame players; the Phillies, the Philadelphia Athletics and Hall of Famers from the city of Philadelphia. I’d like to take my figurative cap off to the Philadelphia Phillies organization for making their tribute so inclusive. A large number of display cases contain a wide range of memorabilia that makes for interesting viewing. As to the oil paintings of the players, I can’t praise them enough. They are beautiful. If the Phillies ever put out a postcard set of them I would snap it up in a second. I took pictures of many of the paintings and will show them in my next post.

Citizens Bank Park: Every part of this great ball park announces that you are in the home of the Philadelphia Phillies. In a city with a rich baseball history, that’s a good thing. In 1883, Alfred J. Reach, the new owner of the team, named them the Phillies  because “it tells you who we are and where we’re from.” Citizens Bank Park is a great place to see a game. I want to see another game there, and someday, maybe I will.