Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
‘We’re stoked’: Phillies fever outside Citizens Bank Park before Game 3
They come from near and far to see a World Series game.
PHILADELPHIA >> It’s a beautiful time to be a sports fan in Philly.
Monday morning crews were still cleaning up from the Eagles game on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field as fans lined up early to get into the team store at Citizens Bank Park.
Additional crews were setting up a stage alongside the stadium and preparing for Monday night’s World Series Game 3 between the home team and the Houston Astros.
In the back of the stadium a line of trucks was waiting to deliver food and drink as security inspected each and crews from Fox were setting the stage for the television commentators.
T.J. Walters of Shoemakersville, Berks County, and Jillian Belli of Spring City, Chester County, were in line to pick up swag at the team store before the game.
They were able to get tickets online and split them between her family, and Walters was able to go with them.
“It’s my first World Series game. We’re stoked,” said Walters. “We’re right by the scoreboard in left field, section 234. It’s awesome.”
Jennifer Wagenhoffer of Glenside stopped by the stadium before the game Monday. She didn’t have tickets but she just wanted to be part of the excitement and get last minute gear.
“We were at the clinching game against the Braves. This is just awesome for our kids to see,” Wagenhoffer said. “It so exciting to see the city like this: the Eagles and the Union and the Phillies.”
Near the left field gate Joe O’Malley, who grew up in Darby before moving to South Jersey and then retiring to Florida six years ago, was waiting hours ahead of time for the gates to open so he could get to a specific spot in the field, which he didn’t want to elaborate on.
“We go to all the playoff games and (we have) season tickets for the Sunday games. We usually get here two-three hours early to get to a certain spot. I’m not giving that away,” he said.
His nephew came with him, and went to the Union game Sunday.
“The Phillies are heavy underdogs but they are a good team,” O’Malley said. “They’re a team of destiny.”
Lourdes and Orlando Perez of Miami took photos of their family in front of the Liberty Bell at Citizens Bank Park.
Orlando came to the U.S. from Cuba in the ’60s and began cheering for the team because the Phillies had the same colors as his team in Cuba, the Havana Tigers.
“My father played in a winter league, and a lot of players came from there,” Perez said. “There were four major league teams in Cuba. The Havana Lions had identical colors to the Phillies … and a lot of the players from there came over to play. Like Tony Taylor and Cookie Rojas came from that team, so that’s my team.”
Also in line were Carol and Duane Torres, who came from Oklahoma.
They aren’t Astros fans. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was their neighbor growing up and used to practice in a batting cage in their backyard.
“I said ‘he’s in. We’re going to come,’ ” Duane Torres said.
More people from closer to home arrived.
“This is our third trip to the World Series. We’ve had season tickets since ’92,” said Wilma Abbott, who came with Karen Kavchuck of Gloucester County, New Jersey. “It’s awesome.”
“We’ve been here a lot of years,” said Kavchuck. “Win, lose, we’re here supporting the Phillies.”
Walky Muvaney of Milwaukee was at Citizens Bank Park.
He is attending his 37th World Series.
Originally from Chicago, he is a Cubs fan. He said knowing someone in MLB helps keep the price manageable.
One of most memorable games was the dagger in the heart of Phillies fans, Joe Carter’s walk-off in Toronto in Game 6 in 1993.
Jody Amedee of Los Angeles was in line with his daughter Allie. He said he is friends with Phillies infield coach Bobby Dickerson.
“Rooting the Phillies on, it’s a cool town,” Amedee said. “He (Dickerson) tells us how much fun they have and how close the guys are, and he can see a difference in other teams he has been around.”