In a game that is all about numbers, here is one that leaped out at me from baseball yesterday.
9,129.
That is not the number of people who were turned away as another packed-to-the-rafters crowd descended on Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies opener.
That is how many people – total – were in the house as the Baltimore Orioles hosted the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards.
It was just a few years ago when the “throwback” ballpark on the harbor in Baltimore was a regional destination point. People thought nothing of making the short drive down I-95 to see a game there. The Orioles routinely sold out or played to near capacity crowds every night at Camden Yards.
At the same time, the Phillies were a bad team playing in an even worse facility, creaky cumbling Veterans Stadium.
Then, with Camden Yards as the blueprint, the Phillies built a retro park of their own.
In the process they once again proved the point driven home in the Kevin Costner baseball flick “Field of Dreams.”
“If you build it, they will come.”
No kidding.
The Phillies and their park are now the hottest ticket in town.
Yesterday’s opening day sellout of 44,791 was the first of what likely will be a summer full of them. The Phillies very well may sell out their entire home season. In fact, most nights, with the addition of standing room only tickets, they sell more tickets than there are seats.
Citizens Bank Park took the best parts of Camden Yards and then improved upon them. Ashburn Alley is the place to be in the summer.
Winning baseball doesn’t hurt. The Phillies have now won one World Series and returned to the Fall Classic last year. They are 6-1 in the new season – thanks in part to playing only the lowly Nationals and Astros - and look every bit like they are intent on a “three-peat.”
But a quick glance down I-95 will tell them how fast things can change.
Citizens Bank Park no doubt will continue to draw fans. It’s simply a magnificent place to watch a game, even if you could care less about baseball, which is clearly the case for a fairly good chunk of those attending the party there every night.
For now, the Phillies and their fans are content to “let the good times roll.”
So long as they don’t roll in the direction of the lowly Orioles, who now play lousy baseball in a great facility – which is almost empty most nights.
9,129.
That is not the number of people who were turned away as another packed-to-the-rafters crowd descended on Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies opener.
That is how many people – total – were in the house as the Baltimore Orioles hosted the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards.
It was just a few years ago when the “throwback” ballpark on the harbor in Baltimore was a regional destination point. People thought nothing of making the short drive down I-95 to see a game there. The Orioles routinely sold out or played to near capacity crowds every night at Camden Yards.
At the same time, the Phillies were a bad team playing in an even worse facility, creaky cumbling Veterans Stadium.
Then, with Camden Yards as the blueprint, the Phillies built a retro park of their own.
In the process they once again proved the point driven home in the Kevin Costner baseball flick “Field of Dreams.”
“If you build it, they will come.”
No kidding.
The Phillies and their park are now the hottest ticket in town.
Yesterday’s opening day sellout of 44,791 was the first of what likely will be a summer full of them. The Phillies very well may sell out their entire home season. In fact, most nights, with the addition of standing room only tickets, they sell more tickets than there are seats.
Citizens Bank Park took the best parts of Camden Yards and then improved upon them. Ashburn Alley is the place to be in the summer.
Winning baseball doesn’t hurt. The Phillies have now won one World Series and returned to the Fall Classic last year. They are 6-1 in the new season – thanks in part to playing only the lowly Nationals and Astros - and look every bit like they are intent on a “three-peat.”
But a quick glance down I-95 will tell them how fast things can change.
Citizens Bank Park no doubt will continue to draw fans. It’s simply a magnificent place to watch a game, even if you could care less about baseball, which is clearly the case for a fairly good chunk of those attending the party there every night.
For now, the Phillies and their fans are content to “let the good times roll.”
So long as they don’t roll in the direction of the lowly Orioles, who now play lousy baseball in a great facility – which is almost empty most nights.
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