Comments on: Phun Week: Your First Phillies Game

By: Joye Laviola

Joye Laviola — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:38:54 +0000

Great stuff. Thanks for this.

By: Hats

Hats — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:11:08 +0000

Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed

By: Hugh Keough, Jr.

Hugh Keough, Jr. — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:28:13 +0000

My parents promised me that if I behaved in school my dad would take me to a Phillies Game. I was in the second or third grade and was not the best behaved lad, but I really did want to go see the Phillies play. Johnny Callison, Richie Allen, Jim Bunning, Chris Short, Ruben Amaro, Wes Covington, Cookie Rojas……So in June when I got my last report card and finally earned a “C” in “Self Control”, they agreed, my dad would take me. Just me. Not my mom or the younger kids. It was going to be the first time I went somewhere with him without my mom or the other kids. I remember he drove his stationwagon. He parked the wagon on Lehigh ave and man came up and asked him if he wanted him to watch his car until the game was over. My dad gave him some change. I never saw him do that before. I thought it was strange. Anyway…. As we walked on the sidewalk the stadium just rose right up beside me. My dad took me by the hand. There it was. Connie Mack Stadium. He called it Shibe Park. It didn’t look like any park I knew. From the outside it looked like just another one of those textile factories that surrounded his flower shop in Kensington. The crowd began to build. We went through the gates on the corner. There were iron bar railings and turnstiles. As we entered Connie Mack I somehow felt like I was entering the world of men. Straight ahead there were guys hawking programs and then there were the consession stands. He bought me a hotdog and a soda. He got a Ballentine Beer. My dad handed me the program. He took a Phillies cigar out of a box that he had in his shirt pocket and put it in his mouth. I never saw him smoke a cigar before. He took me by the hand again and we walked up the grey concrete ramp that would lead to our seats. It was then that I saw what so many others have described before, the green, green grass of Connie Mack Stadium. I don’t know why that green field had such an impact on so many of us. Were we a “green” deprived people who lived in grey, urban Philly? Or had we waited through the dull dreary Philly winter to greet our Phils in the spring? Or was Connie Mack our own little piece of the “Land of OZ?” Maybe a little of all that and more. Of course I’d seen grass before but nothing so big and bright. Manicured. The bases were clean and white, even the dirt was neat and flat. My dad found our seats. He lit his cigar. He began to relax. He opened the program to the middle and showed me how to keep score. I leaned on his shoulder. I was with my dad. I can’t remember who lost those games, but looking back I realized both he and I had won. We were together for a little while sharing something special. We went back many times after that. We went to games in the Summer of ’64. We saw our Phillies as well as Hank Aaron’s Braves, Willie Mays’s Giants, the ’69 Mets, Ernie Bank’s Cubs and the others. Connie Mack closed. The grass was gone. The ’70s brought the Vet, Astroturf, and its huge parking lot. No mystery field behind the factory walls. No ramps leading to the green grass. I started going to games with my friends. My brother and sisters were now old enough to come to the games with my dad and me. I’m glad he and I had that time together. I’m glad we had Connie Mack Stadium. And I forgive the Phillies for not winning in ’64. Hugh Keough, Davie, FL.

By: Pat Mahoney

Pat Mahoney — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:38:45 +0000

First Game I recall. Friday, July 15 1966. I was 11 yrs old and the Giants were at Connie Mack. Juan Marichal (14-4) vs Jim Bunning. Our neighbor at our summer house was Joan Rosney (Phillies Team nurse). She took me down there, we arrived at 4pm for a nite game. She sent me down to the field to see Cookie Rojas and say “Nurse Rosney said to watch me” I did and he did. I kid my son to this day (when Cookie is on TV) that he was my first babysitter. Some usher (who knew I was w/the Team Nurse) sat me right behind the plate, where I watched Marichal and Willie Mays (he hit a HR) decimate the Fightins 8-1 He went to 15-4, and struck out 10. His stuff was VERY nasty. To this day I can picture his sliders. The only pitchers I have seen his equal have been Pedro Martinez (w/Boston almost no-hiting the O’s in Baltimore ) and Lefty many times of course. I saw Kofax and Drysdale in Philly, never saw Gibson I don’t believe, wish my Dad was here to tell. Phils ended in 4th that yr w/an 87-75 record. One lasting memory of that “pre-game” I have (now remember I was there before the park opened up) is Willy McCovey and all playing pepper with a ball so beat up that when they went into the stands I didn’t even chase em. Clubs were cheap then, even about balls. After the game I was in the Nurse’s office, by the clubhouses and the visitors (Giants) had many cigar smoking older (to me) black guys hanging out to see their “cousin” Willie Mays. Being a naive 11 yr old I remember thinking “Man. he’s got a big family”

By: bill s

bill s — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 01:44:35 +0000

my first phillies game was a doubleheader versus the Giants. The giants team featured willie mays in centerfield and w. mcCovey at 1B. Never ever forget that game(s)! I was about 10 years old. Went with my dad and uncle. I remember Clay Dalrymple was the phils catcher that day and bill white was at 1B. The phils were not that good in those days and I believe we probably went to see Willie play!!!!!!!!

By: Ken Deitz

Ken Deitz — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:30:02 +0000

My first Phils game – I was 9. August 1, 1964. Phils Dodgers. The town was baseball crazy. The Phils had a 9 game lead at the time and were playing unbelievable baseball. We sat in Connie Mack in the left field stands down the third base line, say 30 feet past the bag, in the upper tier.

Don Drysdale was the Dodger starter and the Phils bombed him. I think Chris Short started for the Phils or maybe Dennis Bennett, can’t remember. John Herrnstein hit a home run for the Phils that was the deciding blow in the game. Tommy Davis hit a long homerun to the roof of the bleachers in Left field. I think Ed Roebuck got the win for the Phils that night. Cookie Rojas also was memorable, he probably had three hits or something like that. But once you go, you are a fan for life.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:53:37 +0000

Tim, since you enjoyed my earlier story, i will share with everyone another piece from Shibe Park about the parking. The block next to the stadium was the parking area. It was best to get to the games very early, if not, you would be in real trouble. You entered the parking area from one block, you then drove forward up against the next car. When that row was full, they started another row, within 12″ next to you. They did not leave an aisle to get out. When the game was over, if the cars in front of you did not move, you did not move either. I can remember on more than one occasion it taking us over three hours to leave the parking lot.

There was another choice….The local people would allow you to park in front of their home, if you paid them to watch your car.

Often times we would be sitting in the car, awaiting for the folks in front of us to get into their cars so we could move out,,,, but there was some good that came out of that. After the game, the players came out of the stadium next to that lot. I did get may great autographs while waiting. Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons, Andy Seminick, Willie Jones to name a few……much to my dismay, my mother cleaned out the attic and they have all been lost.

By: Chris Audesirk

Chris Audesirk — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:56:46 +0000

It was the summer of ’69 ( my apoligies to Bryan Adams) my first game was a twilight double header vs. the Mets. My Dad was just home from the VA hospital and couldn’t take my 2 brothers and I to our first game at Connie Mack Stadium. My Mom, who had to work to support all six kids, arranged for two of my older brothers teachers to take us.
We had been to NYC, but never to Philadelphia. I have to admit the neighborhood surrounding the ballparkwas scarey for a bunch of country boys but that all went away once I saw Connie Mack Stadium. What memories!
The smell of old cigars and stale beer, the sight of the greenest green of the field, the clock in centerfield atop the scoreboard, the rightfield wall, the girders and finally… THE PHILLIES themselves.
Gary Gentry pitched a one to nothing shutout in the first game but the Fightins’ took the second game on two mammoth homeruns. One by Larry Hisle the other by Richie Allen. The homer by Allen was shot to dead centerfield that I thought the pitcher could leap up to catch. But it just climbing and climbing…MAJESTIC!
A memory I have shared with my 4 sons and anyone who will listen!

By: Tim Malcolm

Tim Malcolm — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:34:13 +0000

Great stories. Really digging the stories of the 1950s Phils. I do wish I got to witness Shibe/Connie Mack, but hey, the Vet holds a lot of wonderful memories for me. But thank God we have Citizens Bank Park now.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:54:25 +0000

1954, the last preseason game held in Wilmington – Phillies and Yankees. The key play was Mickey Mantle up with the bases loaded and he hit a shallow blooper behind shortstop. Richie Ashburn and Del Ennis collided running after the fly and Ashburn broke his leg. Probably his worst memory of his career.

By: Alphonse Dattolo

Alphonse Dattolo — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:59:50 +0000

I HAVE BEEN A PHILLIES FAN FOR 48 YEARS AND THE FIRST PHILLIES GAME I EVER ATTENDED WAS THURSDAY,OCTOBER 1,1970-THE LAST GAME EVER PLAYED AT CONNIE MACK STADUIUM. WE BEAT MONTREAL 2-1 IN 10 INNINGS ON A BASE HIT BY OSCAR GAMBLE WHO DROVE IN TIM MC CARVER. THAT GAME LIFTED US OUT OF THE CELLAR FOR THE 1970 SEASON. I HAVE A RED BOX SEAT FROM CONNIE MACK AND IT IS A PROUD POSSESSION OF MY BASEBALL COLLECTION. THE PRICE OF MY SEAT AT THE GAME WAS $1.50! I ALSO ATTENDED THE FIRST GAME EVER PLAYED AT THE VET ON SATURDAY,APRIL 10,1971. WE BEAT MONTREAL 4-1. I LOVE THE PHILLIES AND ALWAYS WILL!!!!!!!

By: Brian Michael

Brian Michael — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:31:16 +0000

My first game was some time in the mid-80s. I don’t remember the game, but I do specifically remember Ozzie Virgil hitting a home run because I had just gotten his baseball card in a pack a couple days earlier. I also remember my mom always saying to wear a jacket because it’s windier at the ballpark. Oh how I miss the Vet…

By: steve d

steve d — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:21:15 +0000

it was the phils vs the giants back in 62, i went because willie mays was my fav player. willie didn’t start that day but got in the game later. phils lost i think it was 7-4 jack sanford got his 18 win against 6 loses and art mahaffey was the loser. felipe alou and orlando cepeda homered for the giants.

By: george

george — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:01:58 +0000

I don’t remember the details of my first Phillies game,but I still have a lot of memories from that Day.My Grandmother took me to Connie Mack on the trolly.When we got there I got my first ballpark souvineers.I got the mini bat pens(real wood back then)and the original bobbleheads (filled with sawdust).
I remember hearing those plastic horns and wanting one very badly but my grandmother said she couldn’t find where they were being sold.Looking back I think she just did’t want me blowing that thing next to her all of the way home.I guess for not knowing who we were playing or who won it still is one of my best memories ever.

By: Louis DeVizia

Louis DeVizia — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:40:19 +0000

Can’t remember the details, but it was a bus trip from my dad’s job in the 70′s. We sat in the 200 Level and the Phils played the Expos I think. About 1975 maybe…

The earliest one I can remember details about was in 1979. Danny Osark had just been fired and replaced by Dallas Green. It was a rare weekday afternoon game. Keith Moreland hit a HR down the leftfield line. The Pirates argued that the ball was foul and the umps reversed the call! Green went NUTS. The fans, used to the laid back Ozark, LOVED it. The Phils lost the game 2-1 I think. But the boss had arrived. We know what happened the next year.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:20:47 +0000

I do not remember my first game, but i have some great memories of some of the games i went to as a child.

In 1952, our small town in Chester County would take buses of kids to to 21st and Lehigh, Schieb Park (Connie Mack Stadium). We would pay $.25 to get in and sit in the bleachers in left field. The A,s were playing the Red Sox and the guy playing left field for the Sox hit two home runs. He became my favorite player…..Ted Williams, who happens to be the only major league player to serve in two wars. So much for the A’s.

My family has been Phillies fans forever….My dad would always get tickets for the twi-light doubleheaders. One nite I often recall was not so good for the Phillies. Koufax pitiched a no-hitter in the first game and Drysdale had a no-hitter going into the 7th. It took 16 innings before my Phillies got a basehit. What a Night.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:16:56 +0000

I saw my first Phillies game in April 1957 (you read that right). It was a Saturday day game. I was six years old. Robin Roberts lost a 10 – 2 decision at Connie Mack Stadium to the New York Giants. One week later I saw my first win, a 5 – 2 decision over the Chicago Cubs. I remember that day like it was yesterday. When I walked out of the tunnel and saw all that green against the blue sky for the first time I was awed by its beauty. I still am. I always felt bad for Phillies fams whose first experience with baseball was the Vet. Those of you that cut your teeth in that astroturf rathole were truly cheated. The happiest day of my life (next to game 6 1980) was the day they blew that dump up. Long live grass and dirt.

By: RAY BREETSCHNEIDER

RAY BREETSCHNEIDER — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:28:28 +0000

MY FIRST GAME WAS REALLY A SERIES. IT WAS IN THE LATE SEVENTIES.
THE PHILLIES WERE PLAYING THE METS. IT WAS A FIVE GAME SERIES.
DOUBLE HEADER AN FRIDAY, ONE GAME SATURDAY, AND A DOUBLEHEADER ON SUNDAY.
I WENT TO BOTH THE DOUBLE HEADERS. AND THE PHILLIES WON ALL FIVE GAMES. IT WAS SIMPLY MARVELOUS.

By: John

John — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:26:32 +0000

It was camera day at Veterans Satdium in the early 70′s. Jim Longborg was pitching and I don’t remember much other than the dancing waterfalls, the picture of the back of my head and Terry Harmon and that old man in the stands everyone called Yo-yo. Going to the Phillies game with dad were some of the best memories of my youth.
I love the Mets-Phils rivalry. It’s gonna be another banner year. Go Phils!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:33:55 +0000

My first game was in Sept. 1983 against the Giants. I was nine years-old. The Phillies lost the game 5-4. Lefty started and got the loss. My memory of the game is sketchy, but I do remember everyone getting very excited in the bottom of the ninth when Pete Rose, who didn’t start that day, came up to pinch hit with runners on base and two out. Unfortunately, unlike so many other times when he came up big, Rose grounded out to end the game.

Many of you Philly fans out there may remember the previous game which was quite memorable; Ozzie Virgil hit a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to win it.