Phils fall to Nats, but fans are still enthused
PHILADELPHIA >> After a day of glorious sunshine, the Phillies welcomed fans back to Citizens Bank Park on Friday with rain, blustery wind and damp cold for a, figuratively speaking, cold open to the 2017 season.
The Phils fell to the Nationals, 7-6, but swaths of people from Delaware County and the greater region resisted the untimely weather for a day at the park on Opening Day.
For some, their first time. For others, a yearly ritual.
Dylan Hummel Springfield was at sixth opening day, he’s only 5 years old.
Mother Tara Hummel was waiting in line with Dylan and her daughter Katelyn, 5, for snacks before entering the third base gate. They were excited for a fresh start to a new season. of his and
“Change is good,” Hummel said.
For many fans, Opening Day was the dawning of a new era. Gone were the last mainstays of the 2008 team — Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard — and in their stead are the fresh faces of a young team.
Media Mayor Bob McMahon was hustling inside the Third Base Gate and stopped to chat. A 45year ticket holder, McMahon said when he traveled down to Clearwater last year for spring training, many young players stood out. He said in the near future the team would be very, very good.
“You’re not going to see the team that’s out there today next year,” McMahon said. “They have players in AAA and AA that will be ready to go.”
His enthusiasm for a quick turnaround to a playoff contender was palpable.
“Just a couple years ago the farm system was ranked in the 20s, now they’re sixth.”
Many were feeling confident about the team’s future, with a farm system that again ranks high and Minor League teams poised for success, folks said they would be satisfied with a .500 season and a team that shows “improvement.”
“Like any Phillies fan I’m always optimist in the beginning of the season,” laughed Jody Boon of Ridley, who was at the game with wife Dana Boon, and children Nate, 10, Cole, 8, and Conner, 5.
“We always get excited right in the beginning and then we’ll see how good they are.”
For Dave DiPasqua, 23, and Amanda Orr, 25, who first met at Marple Newtown High School and dated throughout four years at West Chester University, their young relationship has featured many a date to the ballpark.
“We come each year to Opening Day, or to catch the fireworks,” DiPasqua said, who said their favorite player was Chase Utley.
When asked about the next generation of Phillies players and which one was their favorite, DiPasqua laughed.
“(Vince) Velasquez, I guess,” he said, as the starting pitcher had already given up four runs to Nationals, who were up 4-0.
Orr, who seemed the formidable Phillies fan, offered Aaron Nola.
“I’m hoping they’ll be better than last year,” Orr said. “I’d be happy if they hit .500.”
A woman wearing a matching set of Phanatic gear in a hat and gloves combo said it was 10th straight year she’s been at Opening Day.
“It’s a new chapter,” said Janet Galligan of Marcus Hook. “In a couple years they’re going to be really good, they have a lot of young talent.”
Like a good Phillies fan, she was taking the Phillies lackluster performance against the Nationals up until that point in stride.
“They should be doing better,” she said.
And indeed they did, by the bottom of the ninth there was a man on and no out, down one run. Howie Kendrick sent one deep to right that had fans ready to jump for joy on a walkoff win on Opening Day.
Alas, the wind beat it down and the remaining fans, significantly down from 45,121 at this point — blame it on the chilly weather or the cold performance on the field — groaned collectively.
Odubel Herrera grounded to first on an unassisted third out and that was the game. Nationals 7-6 over the Phils.