My Life Was Changed By A Train

We left the cheesesteak area of South Philly and headed down to Phillies Dr. where Citizens Bank Park is located. (We actually changed clothes in the car in an uncomfortably-residential neighborhood so we could both sport our jerseys at the game.)

It was already chillier than anyone (especially us) expected. We got to the stadium about 2-2 1/2 hours ahead of game-time.  We both expected, as we had two years prior, that we’d walk up to the ticket window and be able to find something. We were so very wrong. Sold out. And the bicycle cops were circling anyone that looked like they might be scalping. We talked to one scalper-type guy, but when he said he needed to call his friend over from another parking lot, DT thought it might be a scam and neither of us wanted to be out the $170(!) asking price.

I resorted to asking clumps of people that looked like a group if they had an extra ticket. I figured my odds at a spare were better if they were trying to plan around a large group. My biggest problem, well besides the fact that no one actually had a spare, was that no one really knew what I was saying. “Do yewe guys have a spair teeket?”, I could hear myself saying. Most people were initially uncomfortable with a stranger approaching, then alarmed by my unfamiliar language.

Finally we both decided that hanging out at the ticket window was our best bet. They were occasionally releasing standing room only tickets a couple at a time.  After about a half an hour, the man behind the glass whispered, “Psst, I’ve got two”, and we grabbed them up and ran in.

We stood off the 3rd base line and even though there were SO many people, the gusting wind would cut right through us.  We talked with several locals who were as surprised by the weather as we were. I Was afraid it was just us being unprepared.

Standing room only took quite a toll on us both, but near the 7th inning we went to the restaurant out in left field (named for Harry Kalas). Surprisingly there was a table available AND the food was good.  We let our old knees rest and watched the Phils clinch their division title. Woo!

Due to getting there so early, we had the best parking spot and missed out on traffic.  We made it to Grammie’s house in no time, which was a treat for both Grammie AND DT!

To be continued…