Why am I the biggest Phillies’ Phan in the world? It started in 1980. I was not yet born, but I traveled to the World Series while my mother was pregnant with me. From then on, it was in my blood.
My childhood was spent watching games every weekend at my grandmother’s house. When we went to the beach we always took a radio down with us for afternoon games and listened to Harry call the play by play. Oh, how I love that voice! I had a stuffed Phanatic and several shirts as a little girl who loved the Phillies.
I’ll never forget my first ever Phillies’ game. I was 12 years old before my family could take me, but when I went, WOW! I remember vividly the breathtaking sight of the slanted runways of the Vet. As soon as my feet hit the concourse and looked out over the bright green field, I was hooked forever. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. That very year I was blessed to watch the Fightinz on TV as they played into the NLCS and the World Series. I still remember “Wild Thing” Mitch Williams give up the home run ball to end our hopes as I stayed up to watch at a friend’s sleepover.
My fanhood continued until it took on a whole new level when I graduated college and really became an adult. I bought tickets to go to the first ever game at Citizen’s Bank Park and was selected as one of the first ever “Citizen’s Seven!” I stayed for every pitch on that cold, damp, rainy, 50 degree day. I knew I had found my favorite place to be.
Since then, I have driven about 2 hours from Harrisburg, PA to see between 10 and 20 games a season. I was there last year when we clinched the division, and I cried and celebrated as if it were the best day of my life… and it may have been.
I was there this year for Go, Go, Golson’s amazing pinch-run to home down the stretch. I stayed through 2 hours of rain delays on the Phanatic’s birthday game in May, only to be rewarded with getting to dance on the dugout with him in the 7th inning! A dream come true! I was there for the July 11th fireworks game that went into extra innings and the fireworks into the next day, technically, and stayed for every moment. I also traveled to Washington D.C. to see the Phils play the Nationals on Labor Day. It could have been a home game for the Phils! How awesome! Finally, living in Harrisburg, I’ve gone to our local Triple A team, the Harrisburg Senators (Nats’ minor league system) countless times when the Reading Phillies come to town. It was there that I first saw a young Ryan Howard, months before making it to the big leagues and becoming Rookie of the Year. This year I was lucky enough to watch Golson, Marson, Donald, and Carrasco several times and got some amazing pictures of Carrasco and even got him to sign a ball for me! Giving that much time and love to our prospects has to up the “biggest fan” factor a bit!
I’ve spent more nights than I can count glued to the TV, trying not to miss a moment of any game. And sadly, living outside of Philadelphia, I’ve also had to spend a few nights with the AM radio or Gamecast on the computer when our local CW chose not to bring the game on TV.
Being a teacher, I’ve also decorated my room quite extensively, including a Chase Utley growth chart. magnets and posters from the Phanatic About Reading program that I entered my school in last year (still sad the Phanatic didn’t choose our school to visit!), a few rally towels and posters hanging on and around my desk and in the doorway/hallway by my room. I wear one of my many Phillies’ shirts every dress down day we have. The two personal days I get every year? Well, I spent the first one this year on October 1st so I could be at Citizen’s Bank Park at noon when the postseason pep rally began and then attended the game. The second personal day? Well, I’m hoping to use that one to attend the parade down Broad Street. 🙂 I would love more than anything to be able to go to the World Series. I do not have any tickets yet and cannot afford the astronomical prices on Stubhub and ebay. Please help me get there!!!!!!!!!!!
GO PHILS! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SOOOOOOOO PROUD!!!
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