The Phillies

沒有Egg nog latte 的日子. 第223日. 晴

Philadelphia is known for it's US history, it's cheesesteak and it's sports fans. I had the honor of visiting the Phillies ball park - Citizen Bank Ball Park and listening to AM 610 WIP Sports Talk Radio. Here are some my of thoughts:

1) Beautiful park - Up close and personal - just like AT&T. But there are too many sections are tiers - makes it hard to buy a ticket and find a seat.

2) Die-hard fans - everybody and I mean EVERYBODY was dawning Phillies RED or else some other Phillies paraphernelia. Those who weren't were probably visitors (like me). The shirts aren't cheap either... goes to show how much they're willing to spend to show their support.

3) Not too intelligent fans - Always heard that Philly fans knew their stuff. They'll not only heckle you... they'll heckle your mom, your sister, your sister's boyfriend, etc... And they'll skewer you if you're doing bad. But when they were annoucning the opposing team's players - I didn't hear one single "Boo." What's up with that!?

4) Not too intelligent fans Part II - Bottom of the 6th... middle reliever comes in. Strikes out the first batter in 3 pitches. Strikes out the second batter in 4 pitches. The third batter is down 1-2... nobody claps?!? Is anyone watching the game?!?!?!

5) The wave - some kids tried it... albeit it only lasted a couple of sections but they shouldn't have done it.

6) Ballpark food - Cost the same as AT&T (an arm and a leg) but the food quality is sooooo much better. Waited 35 minutes to get a Tony Luke's Cheesesteak. Crazy.

7) Paying tribute - the entire stadium stopped, removed their caps and turned towards the American Flag during the National Anthem. Can't expect anything less from the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence. Very touching.

8) Multi-cultural - blacks, whites... not a lot of Asians though. And on my way out to the parking lot... someone called me a "gook." (Love thy neighbor....Love thy neighbor)

9) Sports talk radio wasn't as harsh on the organizations as I expected - but the fans are very passionate. And they'll REALLY get into it with the hosts - all in good fun and in the name of a championship.

10) When it comes to franchises... Iggles come in first..... and second. Phillies come in a distant third.

11) Stupid house rules - so I bought a shirt on Tuesday night's game. Go back to the hotel and realized it's too small. So I drive to their team store the next day to exchange a size. Usual hours are 9-5PM, but there's a day game. So the store doesn't open till 1.5 hour before the game. And get this... you can't enter the store unless you have a friggin ticket!! All I want to do is make an exchange!! The worker wouldn't let me in and didn't even try to help. She just told me to buy a ticket and come in the gates. Pay $14 to exchange a shirt??? NO WAY!!! And I was running late...

12) Stupid house rules Part 2 - so after I was done with work, I drive back to the ballpark. It was already 5:30PM. Parking lots empty, everyone's gone home. I knock on the store again, hoping to talk to someone sensible. A dude comes by... tells me they're closed. I explain my situation to him and say, "All I want to do is exchange sizes." Without hesitation... he grabbed a new shirt for me. DONE! So simple.

Dear Phillies Organization...

Hire more people like him, not the OTHER type.
It's for your own good.

Sincerely,
Satisfied Visitor