Perhaps I am living in the past, when Veterans Stadium was the place the Phillies called home. Still, as our record-setting Jamie Moyer prepares to face off against former Phillie Randy Wolf, I can't help but remember the days when the Wolf Pack howled loudly in the 700-level after every strike-out. Among other notable groups were Curt Schilling's Schill-O-Meter, who placed oversized Ks on the wall to mirror the pitcher's game and Vicente Padilla's Flotilla, a festive group of sombrero-wearing fans who "rowed the boat" after each K.
Sure, during the era of pitcher followings, the Phillies' win-loss record left a lot to be desired, but it's undebatable that these devoted fans added excitement and comedy to the game.
Perhaps the constant sellouts at Citizen's Bank Park make it hard for fans to coordinate the group seats that are required for such an occasion, but during a season when our pitching forecast is not always the sunniest (or most consistent), it makes one wonder if the re-introduction of these morale-boosting groups can positively affect performances. If so, I say bring 'em back!
Lauren,
I was thinking the same thing today. What happened to all of the “super” fans and groups at the ballparks? It’s not only CBP, but a majority of baseball. There hasn’t been much creativity as of late. Toronto has the two guys dressed as umpires, but they aren’t around that often anymore. Maybe it’s ticket prices or that there are more superficial fans at the ballparks now. The only thing we see now are people jumping on the field for attention or people getting drunk and puking on people. Great article.
Ian
Ian, it’s a little disheartening to realize these fan groups are virtually extinct. I’m willing to bet it has a lot to do with the increasing ticket prices and band-wagon popularity of the team.
I’m remembering a time that almost feels like a century ago, when the real fanatics would wait outside the gated parking lot after the game, hoping to get autographs from the players walking to their cars. And the beauty part was that they were almost always willing to oblige.
I shutter to admit that, in high school, some friends and I made a few appearances at the Vet as Ashby’s Hive, after short-lived pitcher Andy Ashby. Oh yeah, sad but true!