Phillies Home Opener Festivities a Fan Favorite
The smell of hot dogs, fresh cut grass, and crab fries are in the air. Get ready, it’s time to line up on 10th street!
For the second straight year, the Phillies opened the season in Cincinnati, dropping the series. After a long offseason that saw the team undergo some improvements, the Phillies return home to South Philly to open their home slate against division rival Washington.
Citizen’s Bank Park will soon be full of Phillie faithful donning red, white, and blue- not for the United States, but for the team led by second year manager Pete Mackanin seeking another year of progress with a young, yet talented squad.
Opening Day is something that ballplayers across the globe dream about since little league. Celebrations of world champions, fan festivities, and great ballpark food all culminate into a day of family fun, taking in the first home baseball game of the year for their respective team.
Each team celebrates the new beginning in their own way, and for the Phillies, the entertainments center around the fan experience. From stocking up on the latest Phillies gear at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at 8 a.m to the final out, there’s always a chance to interact with fans just like you.
Having had the home opener experience five years running, there’s always more to see and do. Some things never change; other things always change.
One of the most unique aspects of the opener for the boys in red is their walk to the park. The Phillies make a grand entrance from left-center field through the annual parade down 10th street led by a local marching band and ending with the arrival of the beloved Phillie Phanatic. If one prefers to sit and relax before the game, there’s also the option to sit and chow down on Chickie’s and Pete’s famous crab fries or Bull’s BBQ, named after Greg Luzinski.
The great spectacle of both team’s standing on the baselines before the field-sized American flag is unfurled is unforgettable, regardless of age. Along with the nation’s colors comes the flags of each country represented in the game from either team, finished off with a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner before the first pitches are thrown and regular season baseball gets underway.
After all the festivities settle down, it’s baseball time.
This home opening day will be memorable, but bittersweet one, and a year of many “firsts” for the red and white.
Oh, how some things have changed. As it goes, all good things must come to an end…
In a first since the turn of the century, there will be no Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, or Chase Utley on the roster. It’s been a hell of a run for the Phillies’ own “Big Three,” but now it’s time to turn to a new chapter in the franchise.
There are some tough footprints to follow up, nevertheless they have the talent built for success. The Phils are now looking to a core of Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera, and Aaron Nola, with JP Crawford and Jorge Alfaro on the horizon, to lead the way to the next championship.
For ten seasons, the backstop has been Carlos Ruiz. This time, Cameron Rupp calls the shots.
Chooch was a fan favorite for his game-calling abilities behind the plate and clutch at bats to go with his happy-go-lucky personality. The 38-year-old has since moved on to the Seattle Mariners following the late season trade to Philadelphia West, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For the first time since 2010, the Washington Nationals come to town for the opener, a game which the Phillies were victorious 7-4.
The past few years have been non-divisional matchups interspersed with interleague play. Last time Washington came to Philly, they had Jason Marquis on the mound against ace Cole Hamels. It’s vastly different teams now with Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, and a postseason ready roster facing a rebuilding, youthful, Phillies team looking to breakout.
Here’s the kicker- for the first time in six years, can the Phillies take a home opener victory?
The Phils have been on a long stretch of Opening Days in Philadelphia without a win. At some point that trend has to end, right? Is this the year it happens? Maybe it’s the adrenaline and nerves. Maybe it’s just bad luck.
The good thing is, with recent history the arrows points to less of a pitching duel and heavy hitting offensive showings. Runs have been plentiful on opening days this decade at CBP. It will also probably be a time when Citizens Bank Park is filled to capacity, featuring a sold-out crowd.
The Phillies and Nationals first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m with Vince Velasquez toeing the rubber for the club. He will be opposed by Max Scherzer, both making their first appearances in 2017.
Mother nature is not expected to spoil the fun. It’s projected to be a brisk 49 degrees, with a cloudy, windy outlook for the afternoon.
Win or lose, its game one of 81. Baseball is officially back.
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