The Phillies Red October

The Phillies play the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Monday tonight in Philadelphia. If you
watch the game you’ll likely hear commentators talk about Philadelphia’s home field advantage being
one of the best in baseball. The fantastic game experience at Citizens Bank Ballpark shows through in
every playoff game – fans on their feet the entire game and loud on every pitch. Just go to Tik Tok or
Twitter (now X) and check it out – it’s unbelievable to see.

Philly is a passionate sports town – and when the Phils have a shot at a World Series it creates
huge excitement for fans of all ages – and stirs some echoes for many. The Phills have been around since 1885 and have won two World Series = 2! We enjoy them because they don’t come around all that often although this team looks built to last. Their first championship was in 1980 with Phillies legends Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Pete Rose and the lineup was a roll call of Phillies Wall of Fame inductees – like Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski, Bob Boone, Garry Maddox, and Tug McGraw.

Their next was in 2008 led by Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels – likewise
Philly heroes who experienced a championship parade down Broad Street. And after World Series losses
in 1983, 1993, 2009, and to the Astros last year, Phanatics savor their shot when they get one. If they
get past the Diamondbacks they’ll have a re-match with the Astros or play the Texas Rangers.

Todays starts include Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos and Zack Wheeler. They also have ‘home-grown’ Phils who were drafted by the team and played minor league baseball in Reading and Allentown. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm are rising young stars. Pitchers Aaron Nola and Ranger Suarez also came through the system.

So tune in to get a feel for the excitement at Citizens Bank – the roar of the crowd, the Rally
Towels, the fireworks and the Bank’s Bell lit up in the outfield. Enjoy the game – the time, the
experience and get in on the excitement. You’ll remember the great players, making great plays or
agonizing mistakes. Many Phillie fans remember watching the games in 1980 or 2008 with their Moms
and Dads and now 2023 with their sons or daughters or friends – new or old. And we know that time is
passing and these moments are special. Let’s go Phillies – Ring the Bell.