So last month, I decided on a total whim to grab tickets for Phillies Alumni Weekend. Honestly, I almost bailed a week before – you know, that “maybe I should just relax at home” feeling? But man, am I glad I pushed through.
Getting There Was Half the Fun… Almost
Hopped in the car Saturday morning, traffic wasn’t too bad getting into Philly. Parked what felt like a million miles away – okay, maybe just 8 blocks, but that sun was brutal. Wallet check, ticket check on the phone, sunglasses… realized halfway I forgot water. Typical me.
Walking Into the Absolute Mayhem
Citizens Bank Park was packed. More people than I remember from regular games, everyone buzzing. Saw folks rocking jerseys from the 70s right up to Harper. Instant energy hit, instantly felt less tired. Grabbed an overpriced bottle of water first thing. Priority one.
So why drag myself out? Here’s the top stuff that actually happened, stuff I wasn’t expecting:
- Legends Aren’t Just On TV: This blew my mind. Saw Jimmy Rollins just casually walking near Ashburn Alley signing stuff. Chooch Ruiz? Taking selfies with fans near the bullpen. I got nowhere near the big lines (crazy long!), but even seeing them live, moving around? Felt surreal. Real people, not cardboard cutouts.
- The Nostalgia Wave Was Real: Walking past the Wall of Fame, listening to them announce old players… memories just flooded back. Suddenly remembered watching that crazy ’08 World Series win with my buddies. The roar when Charlie Manuel appeared on the field? My goosebumps had goosebumps. Shared that moment with total strangers, screaming together. Pure connection.
- Stuff You Actually Want: Okay, the merch tents were dangerous. Found a legit powder blue Alumni Weekend tee – comfy, looks sharp. Way better quality than the usual stuff online. Also grabbed a retro hat I haven’t seen sold anywhere else in years. Score! Bonus: no shipping cost or sketchy website.
- More Than Just Baseball: Seriously, the vibe was different. Overheard folks sharing stories about their first game, saw grandpas pointing things out to grandkids. Lines were long? Yes. But people were actually chatting, sharing laughs waiting. Felt less like a crowded place, more like a giant, slightly sweaty family reunion. Good weird.
- It Makes Today Matter More: Watching the current Phillies warm up later, seeing Harper launch one in BP… suddenly you feel that thread connecting. All this history, all these names on the wall? That’s what the young guys are playing into. It wasn’t just another game day; it felt like history was alive. Made cheering for Bohm later somehow feel bigger.
Walking Out Tired But Totally Changed
Sunburnt? Check ($18 sunscreen at the park, ouch). Feet killing me? Absolutely. Keys took forever to find in my bag later? Naturally. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
It wasn’t perfectly smooth – lines were wild, navigating crowds took patience, sun was relentless. You gotta manage expectations. But the feeling it gave me? That connection to the past mixing with the energy of now? That shared love of the team with thousands of people? Can’t fake that. Can’t stream that. You gotta be there in the messy, loud, sticky reality. Totally reshaped why I even care about this team. Won’t miss the next one.
