16. Citizens Bank Park
The third stop on the 2012 baseball road trip was in my friend Mike's home stopping grounds of Philadelphia. Our fraternity brothers Dr. Bovi, Jimi and RobS (I think, it's been a while) joined us for a Saturday game at Citizens Bank Park, home of Mike's beloved Philadelphia Phillies.
Most of the newer parks are in downtown areas. Citizens Bank Park bucks that trend by being located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, where it is home to the venues for Phillies Big 4 sports franchies, all of which are surrounded by acres of parking lots. You can see the city off in the distance, but when you are standing outside the park it's basically a sea of pavement in all directions. It's kind of sad, really.
We entered the park on the third base line and walked the long way around to get to our seats in upper right field. The park has the clear sight lines and trendy food options of the new generation of parks. The major visual difference between this park and others is a giant Liberty Bell that lights up after home runs. Another nice touch is the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame, which honors local players. It's a step above the normal retired numbers you find at most parks. I liked that they have a statue for the Philadelphia Athletics who moved west back in 1954 and ultimately became my Oakland A's; I got my picture taken next to it.
Still, on balance I feel like this park is nothing special. Much like Great American, it has the feeling like somebody took a checklist of "things a new stadium should have" and put them all in. I'd certainly go again with Mike if I was in town, but absent that I wouldn't go again.
Although the park is pretty average, we at least got to see a game that started with seven boring innings before turning in two fantastic innings to close it out. Tampa took an early lead. Philly reclaimed it and was cruising toward victory. In the 8th Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, who had an excellent year, gave up a run. The Phillies led 6-4. Then in the ninth Papelbon gave up two more and it was a tie game. He managed to get out of the inning, but Mike was cursing up a storm.
Up to the plate strode pinch hitter and probable Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who was in his final season and had recently returned from a stint on the disabled list. Thome hit a walk off home run for his 609th career home run, which
[a] tied him with Sammy Sosa for seventh all-time; he'd hit only 3 more in his career.
[b] was his final home run with the Phillies; he was traded later that month to Baltimore for a playoff push.
[c] won the damn game. We assumed Papelbon bought him a beer after the game.
It was a great ending.
Fun final fact: Mike taught me about the Curse of Billy Penn, which is the best sports curse I've heard of.
EDIT 2/1/2018: Confirmed Nick was definitely with us.
Park Rankings
RankParkTeamFirst Visit# Visits
1 Wrigley FieldChicago CubsApril 23, 20042
2 PNC ParkPittsburgh PiratesSeptember 25, 20042
3 Jacobs FieldCleveland IndiansApril 17, 199963
4 Miller ParkMilwaukee BrewersApril 24, 20041
5 Camden YardsBaltimore OriolesJune 22, 20121
6 Yankee Stadium (original)New York YankeesJuly 28, 20061
7 Comerica ParkDetroit TigersJuly 31, 20041
8 Turner FieldAtlanta BravesMay 5, 20071
9 Nationals ParkWashington NationalsJune 21, 20121
10Citizens Bank ParkPhiladelphia PhilliesJune 23, 20121
11 Rogers CentreToronto Blue JaysMay 21, 20051
12 Cinergy FieldCincinnati RedsAugust 8, 19984
13 The MetrodomeMinnesota TwinsJune 22, 19923
14 Shea StadiumNew York MetsJuly 24, 20061
15 Great American Ball ParkCincinnati RedsMay 9, 20041
16 U.S. Cellular FieldChicago White SoxApril 25, 20041
Background: Prologue Memory Interlude
Most of the newer parks are in downtown areas. Citizens Bank Park bucks that trend by being located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, where it is home to the venues for Phillies Big 4 sports franchies, all of which are surrounded by acres of parking lots. You can see the city off in the distance, but when you are standing outside the park it's basically a sea of pavement in all directions. It's kind of sad, really.
We entered the park on the third base line and walked the long way around to get to our seats in upper right field. The park has the clear sight lines and trendy food options of the new generation of parks. The major visual difference between this park and others is a giant Liberty Bell that lights up after home runs. Another nice touch is the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame, which honors local players. It's a step above the normal retired numbers you find at most parks. I liked that they have a statue for the Philadelphia Athletics who moved west back in 1954 and ultimately became my Oakland A's; I got my picture taken next to it.
Still, on balance I feel like this park is nothing special. Much like Great American, it has the feeling like somebody took a checklist of "things a new stadium should have" and put them all in. I'd certainly go again with Mike if I was in town, but absent that I wouldn't go again.
Although the park is pretty average, we at least got to see a game that started with seven boring innings before turning in two fantastic innings to close it out. Tampa took an early lead. Philly reclaimed it and was cruising toward victory. In the 8th Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, who had an excellent year, gave up a run. The Phillies led 6-4. Then in the ninth Papelbon gave up two more and it was a tie game. He managed to get out of the inning, but Mike was cursing up a storm.
Up to the plate strode pinch hitter and probable Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who was in his final season and had recently returned from a stint on the disabled list. Thome hit a walk off home run for his 609th career home run, which
[a] tied him with Sammy Sosa for seventh all-time; he'd hit only 3 more in his career.
[b] was his final home run with the Phillies; he was traded later that month to Baltimore for a playoff push.
[c] won the damn game. We assumed Papelbon bought him a beer after the game.
It was a great ending.
Fun final fact: Mike taught me about the Curse of Billy Penn, which is the best sports curse I've heard of.
EDIT 2/1/2018: Confirmed Nick was definitely with us.
Park Rankings
RankParkTeamFirst Visit# Visits
1 Wrigley FieldChicago CubsApril 23, 20042
2 PNC ParkPittsburgh PiratesSeptember 25, 20042
3 Jacobs FieldCleveland IndiansApril 17, 199963
4 Miller ParkMilwaukee BrewersApril 24, 20041
5 Camden YardsBaltimore OriolesJune 22, 20121
6 Yankee Stadium (original)New York YankeesJuly 28, 20061
7 Comerica ParkDetroit TigersJuly 31, 20041
8 Turner FieldAtlanta BravesMay 5, 20071
9 Nationals ParkWashington NationalsJune 21, 20121
10Citizens Bank ParkPhiladelphia PhilliesJune 23, 20121
11 Rogers CentreToronto Blue JaysMay 21, 20051
12 Cinergy FieldCincinnati RedsAugust 8, 19984
13 The MetrodomeMinnesota TwinsJune 22, 19923
14 Shea StadiumNew York MetsJuly 24, 20061
15 Great American Ball ParkCincinnati RedsMay 9, 20041
16 U.S. Cellular FieldChicago White SoxApril 25, 20041
Background: Prologue Memory Interlude