Ballparks - # 18 - Citizen’s Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

May 21, 2021

Citizens Bank Park (21 May 2021)

Preserved here is the second Liberty Bell symbol from Veterans

Stadium. It sat on the top catwalk beyond center field

from 1983 until it was saved before the

old park was demolished after the 2003 season.

I was heading home from New York after a family visit and less-than-fulfilling attempt to pay my respects to Chief Justice # 1 – John Jay (stay tuned). It just so happens that Philadelphia is on the way and the Phillies now play in a stadium I had not visited…and they were playing at home that night.

We at ‘Images and More’ are still chasing new photo opportunities and story fodder. It’s not all about distant memories, decades-old shots and Wiki links. Some Quests are still ongoing.

The National League Phillies are the oldest continuous same-name, same-city franchise in American professional sports. Founded here in 1883, the team followed a common practice of naming the team after their city. They soon realized that “Philadelphians” was a mouthful and too cumbersome for newspaper headlines so the shortened nickname took hold.

The team has won the World Series twice. The first title came in 1980 when they played at the Vet. The second one happened in their new digs in 2008.

Citizens Bank Park and Mike Schmidt Statue (21 May 2021)

Around the stadium, figures of Phillie greats abound.

There are pitchers Steve Carlton and Robin Roberts

and this slugging Hall of Fame third baseman.

In the 1990’s, the pro sports powers put the moves on the State of Pennsylvania. The NFL Eagles and Baseball Phillies were tired of Veterans Stadium, its outdated functionality and its plastic grass. The Pittsburgh Steelers and baseball Pirates also wanted to dump the equally plastic and boring Three Rivers Stadium. Eventually, four stadia were built and the baseball and football teams each had their playgrounds.

Lincoln Financial Field, Home of the Philadelphia Eagles

(21 May 2021)

While I like the time to circumnavigate the property looking for images, there were few. The area, away from downtown, was once a vast expanse of commercial land and warehouses that some brilliant planner decided should be the home of ALL the town’s pro sports venues. Surrounded by enough land to park your ample are the homes of the football Eagles, basketball 76-ers, hockey Flyers and baseball’s Phillies…all in the same place.

As we emerge from the COVID plague restrictions, the stadium permitted less than 50% capacity this night and the only ticket I could get on game day was for standing room - $22. When I started going to games in Yankee Stadium, you could get an actual seat for under $2.00…but that was way back in the last century. On the other hand, standing room is just the thing for this quasi-journalist on the prowl. I’m a ramblin’ man…always on the go...looking for images to capture.

Ashburn Alley, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia (21 May 2021)

Like all new stadia, Citizen Bank Park concourses are packed with purchasing options. Food, drinks, souvenirs and more room to wander. The stadium may have 42,000 seats, but the new business model is more accommodating to standing room-only patrons. Another advantage of standing room tix – you’re not stuck sitting next to some obnoxious butthead all game. You’re free to wander off and belly up to a rail ledge behind the last row of seats to watch the action from another angle.

I had to believe this place followed the Camden Yards model a little too closely. The O’s concourse offers ‘Boog’s BBQ,’ run by Boog Powell, our slugging first baseman of yore. Here you can chow down at ‘Bull’s BBQ’ named for Greg ‘The Bull’ Luzinski, the Phillie slugger from the ‘70’s.

Toyota Phillie Hall of Fame Wall, Citizens Bank Park (21 May 2021)

Most modern parks have some kind of space dedicated to former star players. This one includes large versions of the team’s two World Series trophies. Fans often pose for souvenir pictures with them.

As I wandered among the seatless, the mood improved by the setting sun, cooling temps and one of those expensive beverages available to adults beyond a certain age. On four occasions, I struck up a chat with whoever was next to me. An example would be, “Hi there. Excuse me but this is my first time here and was just wondering. Do home runs carry this far?” Three of those times, the response was, “I don’t know. This is my first time, too.” It was easy to keep chatting after that.

U.S. Air Force Drill Team, Citizens Bank Park (21 May 2021)

The night’s program was about honoring the military. The U.S. Air Force Drill Team showed their precision skills twirling and tossing their bayonetted rifles and the USAF Honor Guard presented The Colors.

This was one of those interesting Interleague match-ups with the American League Red Sox in town. Given the long ride home to Maryland, I left as the light faded in the middle of the game. The visitors scored first and never let up, winning 11-3. The date at the top will take you to Baseball-Reference.com’s great web site where you can check out the box score. It’s not like I can wax nostalgic as I do on old parks and long-ago games where future Hall of Famers might have played. Give it another decade or two.

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia (21 May 2021)

This ballpark is appreciated for its superior sightlines. The

concourses have good views of the field and the stadium

position gives fans a nice look at the downtown skyline

as well as colorful sunsets…when Mother Nature cooperates.

Citizens Phan Field (21 May 2021)

Tucked behind the right field grand stand is a miniature field where fans can take the plate and swat wiffle balls toward the downtown skyline…for a price, I assume.

The Hardest-Working Usher Here (21 May 2021)

The limited attendees are already in their seats elsewhere and the patrons come and go as hunger, thirst and other needs dictate…except behind home plate. This poor woman had to control the traffic up and down the isle based on whether the pitcher was throwing. Seems silly, since fans behind the plate could try to distract the opposing pitcher…like basketball fans do when the opponent shoots free throws. Thing is, they don’t do that, and besides, if the pitcher can’t concentrate on the batter and strike zone unless the stadium is calm, he’s in the wrong game. Play golf instead.

I am sorry I didn’t stay long enough to see the Philly Phanatic…one of the great mascots.

The Philly theme will continue when I post Veteran’s Stadium next…another place you newbie stadium collectors can only visit in your dreams. BWA-ha-ha-ha.