 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Ashmore's Great American Sports Tour |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tour Stop #12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2:00 PM - Currently en route to Philly to see my first ever game in Citizens Bank Ballpark. Historically though, this will be the first game in Washington Nationals history, and I'm rather pumped about that. This is also my first Opening Day, so this should be cool all across the board.
4:00 PM - The Phillies are leading 3-1 after three innings. The seats are decent, 2nd row in the 2nd deck, just in foul territory in right field. It's pretty windy, but not cold or anything. Thanks to my Nationals hat, I've already been informed that, "Washington sucks," in the concourse. I agreed. All was well.
6:45 PM - The Phillies won, 8-4. Their stadium is pretty nice, such an improvement over the Vet. Was cool to see the first Nationals run and home run, the latter being by Terrmel Sledge. Hey, maybe I can see their first win in 5 days. Good trip. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
A look at the stadium from the road on the way in. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Heading towards the third base gate entrance... |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The view from my second row seat in Section 206. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
A look at the left field and scoreboard areas. Jim Thome was up at the time. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Philadelphia's unique two-level bullpen system, as seen from the stairway. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Bull's BBQ, one of many eateries and attractions in Ashburn Alley. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
A look at right field and the infield from my trek around the stadium. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Philadelphia's old school center field area, complete with awkward angle. |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Bobby Abreu was booed pretty consistently today. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Phillies right fielder Bobby Abreu. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Philly Phanatic, clad in chef's hat I might add, shoots a gas powered weiner cannon filled with hot dogs into the crowd. |
|
|
|
|
A look at the concession stands. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Nationals reliever Joe Horgan prepares in the bullpen. Joe Morgan he ain't. |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
My first Philly cheesesteak, complete with large, unexplained, conglomerate of cheese in the center. At $7.25, very pricey though! |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The Philadelphia institution that is the Phillie Phanatic entertains on the home dugout. |
|
|
|
|
Tom is unaware of the carnage taking place next to him... |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Nats reliever Antonio Osuna checks the runner as Nick Johnson plays off the bag on Kenny Lofton. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joey Eischen gets loose in the bullpen for Washington. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Patterson looks on. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Washington RF Jose Guillen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
One last look at Citizens Bank Ballpark on my way out. |
|
