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Game 31 | Dodgers, 1 — Phillies, 8 | August 22, 2008
Ballpark Summary
Recently, Mike (residing in Santa Cruz, CA) had a chemistry conference in Philadelphia, and Tim (living off the land in the US Virgin Islands) needed a new pair of shoes, so they decided to meet up in the city of brotherly love to check out the Philadelphia Phillies’ new ballpark – Citizens Bank Park. Yes, the MLBTrip2000 Team has more aches, pains and somehow less money now, but they can still put on a good show.
Located in the proverbial parking lot of the Phillies’ old stomping ground, Veterans Stadium, reviewed in 2000 by the MLBTrip2000 Team, Citizens Bank Park has cleared out the last vestiges of the 1970s cookie-cutter stadiums of the eastern US.
In any other ballpark, strolling the lower concourse near home plate is usually an invitation to being scurried off by belligerent ushers or hoity-toity box seat customers. The Phillies however have invited the masses to enjoy the great view right behind home plate. Throughout the lower concourse, the box seats are framed by an inviting stainless countertop, ideal for taking in a hot dog or beer while pretending to have paid for the great vista.
Transportation was an unexpected bonus here; Philadelphia’s reasonably extensive and fairly-well-maintained subway system dropped our ballpark posse just a stone’s throw from the stadium. Family bonus: the massive parking lots are divided into the Family-Friendly “No Tailgating” parking lot, as well as the rowdier Philly-style “Tailgating Allowed” lot where the real action is.
A la Yankee Stadium, Citizens Bank Park boasts a Hall of Fame memorial in the concourse of CF commemorating the all-time Phillies greats like Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton. But unlike at that hole that is Detroit and Comerica Park, the ushers were kind enough to let us linger and take in the sites after the game.
Mike was particularly excited to get his picture taken with the plaque of Phillies great (but Dodgers not-so-great) Juan Samuel
Ballpark Downers
Mike and Tim both forgot their MLBTrip2000 t-shirts, but that’s not really the Phillies’ fault.
“The Team” Game Stats
Here’s the breakdown: Felice was along for the ride. Overall Mike (+2,521 mi) gains a lead in total miles (17512 mi) traveled over Tim’s (+1609 mi) total distance (16,600 mi) – not that its a competition or anything. Felice (+2,521 mi) edges out Gaby Lewin (7,021 mi, sorry Gaby!) and now places a respectable fourth place (7511 mi), so there’s at least one bonus for staying with Mike for this long. Dave DeAlva maintains an extremely slim third place lead (7,827 mi) – you’d better be there for the next one Dave!!
If you want a get a shout-out for the next one, you gotta get on a plane (or Greyhound bus)……..
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