Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
‘We’re all Phillies fans’: World Series hoopla grows
AMBLER >> It’s “Red October,” and no secret that area residents are enthusiastic about the World Series. Make that wildly enthusiastic.
After more than a decade, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the World Series against the Houston Astros. With an 87-75 record in the regular season, the Phillies entered the post season as the
Wild Card, going on to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres.
The Philadelphia baseball team won the World Series in 1980 and 2008. Abington resident Paul Mamolou was at both of those games.
He was also at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday as the Phillies clinched the National League championship with a 4-3 win over the Padres.
“It feels great,” Mamolou said.
“It’s so electric at that stadium when they fill it up … it was sort of sad the beginning of the year when there weren’t that many people there and things were quiet.
“But now it’s beautiful. It’s just a great time,” he continued. “The energy is great. The camaraderie is great. Everybody in that stadium were high-fiving and hugging. It was just a great time.”
Mamalou, owner of SGO Designer Glass on Butler Avenue, said he’s been a Phillies fan since the mid-1970s.
‘Born and raised’ a fan
Ambler resident Megan Koppel was “born and raised” a Phillies fan.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I mean I had just graduated college the last time we were in the series so it’s such a fun experience. I had that kind of experience, and then now to watch it with my kids is really cool.”
“It’s awesome. It’s awesome,” said Ambler resident Terrace Daniels. “I have to get out all my Phillies gear and get it going.”
Daniels said he became a Phillies fan after moving to the area five years ago. Daniels added that he’s in need of a new hat.
Shirts are selling fast
Jackets n’ Things co-owner John Ruggerio said he began ordering additional inventory after the Phillies made the post season. The downtown store has been selling sports merchandise for the past three decades.
Along with other Philadelphia teams, Jackets n’ Things sells hats, shirts, jerseys, sweatshirts, and other accessories for fans.
“People are excited. They’re going to go down to games. They’re going to need gear and even the non fans are fans now, which is great,” Ruggerio said. “A lot of people are on the bandwagon that aren’t normal Phillies fans. They’re welcome, they’re welcome to join.”
All about Harper
Ruggerio said Phillies Right fielder Bryce Harperrelated apparel is the shop’s biggest seller right now. Like many, he’s Ruggerio’s favorite player.
“He’s a total stud,” he said. Daniels agreed, expressing his excitement over Harper’s two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 5 that led to the Phillies’ 4-3 victory over the Padres.
“I was down on Bryce Harper, but he surprised me,” Daniels said. “I thought he was overpaid but you see why he gets it.”
Businesses benefit
The upcoming World Series has also impacted local businesses. At Ambler Beverage Exchange on Butler Avenue, Manager Brendan Hill said he saw a roughly 20 percent increase in purchases over the weekend, with customers from Ambler, Upper Dublin and the surrounding communities buying larger quantities of beer.
The beer distributor located in the downtown borough could have roughly 300 to 400 customers on a given day. With the upcoming World Series, he “would expect more of the same or better maybe 25 or 30 percent” increase in sales.
Butler Avenue restaurant The Lucky Well is offering World Series themed items, according to owner Chad Rosenthal, who said that there will be a $4 “4 more wins whiskey cider” and a “4 more wins” deal that includes four fried chicken sandwiches and fries for $44.
“It’s great for everyone,” Ruggerio said. “I mean the bars and restaurants are packed, and people are happy. That’s the bottom line.”
Moment of joy
Despite turbulent times, people are finding moments of joy here locally in the Philadelphia area.
“It’s fantastic,” Koppel said. “I mean the upcoming election is definitely making things precarious, nerve wracking so this is really fun to have that kind of bright spot for Philadelphia.” Mamalou agreed.
“It’s just great, and again to me the biggest thing everybody’s so divided these days, and you go to a Phillies game and everybody’s together. We’re all one. We’re all Phillies fans,” he said.