The Phillies’equipment truck for spring training has left Citizens Bank Park and is on its way to Clearwater Florida. The Phillies open their southern training in seven days. I so look forward to the 'Boys of Summer' from my northern home of Philadelphia returning to Clearwater--but more so, catching them facing off with my American League favorite the Boston Red Sox.
This Phillies fan has not been to a game in Philadelphia prior to 1994, as I have since resided in SW Florida full-time. Even though I have family in the Boston area--where I was initially introduced to the game of baseball at Fenway--I spent many a game at the Vet with my father to take in the grandeur of Philadelphia Phillies baseball.
We sat only nine rows behind home plate for Game 6 of the 1980 World Series to take in 'Tugger' and the boys winning the World Championship for the fine City of Brotherly Love.
Growing up both a Phillies and Red Sox fan was not much of an issue at all with other people; however, in years of late, this fan has taken a lot of gruff for never drawing a line in the sand to 'pick one team' and stick with them. I love both dearly and will never support only one of the two.
The Phillies-Red Sox match up has never been one for my family to miss, as we also traveled to Camden Yards on numerous occasions to take in these fine contests.
This fan cannot wait to witness this rivalry even more with their fabulous interleague play of last season, in which the Phillies stand at (17-26) against the Sox overall in the interleague realm and just (6-18) since 2003 alone. Personally, I never am upset with who wins these matches due to them representing my favorites in either league.
The added bonus is that Sox fans can still catch Jonathan Papelbon on the Phillies rotation, as well as Ryan Madson who also was a prior Sox pitcher, now in the Phillies stripes. Should be a great season to come indeed.
The Phillies and Red Sox are both hoping for a much different 2012 season as both ended their Pennant runs a lot earlier than anyone had expected. This fan though is willing to let the past be the past and look ahead to a fabulous spring of action between these two clubhouses. I do not run on promises that are built up during this eight week window of Florida baseball...I enjoy the play and take it in with my own eyes; support my teams. My World Series with them both facing off has yet to come about and why not in 2012?
Scheduled spring training meetings between the Sox and Phils:
Wednesday - Feb 24, 2012 @ 1:05 pm @ Bright House Field
Saturday - Mar 24, 2012 @ 1:35 pm @ JetBlue Park
Monday - Mar. 26, 2012 @ 1:05 pm @ Bright House Field
In less than a week, catcher’s mitts will pop with the sound of baseballs smacking the leather pocket of the glove in Clearwater and Ft. Myers, Florida.
The Philadelphia Phillies had an instant hit with the opening of Bright House Networks Field in 2004, as the ballpark opened to wide acclaim. The acclaim is deserved, as the new ballpark is one of the more charming and comfortable facilities in all of spring training.
Bright House Networks Field is built on a familiar model: a concourse rings the entire field, with a two-story grandstand and berm seating in the outfield. You're never too far away from the playing field at any time.
So whether or not you visit JetBLue Park or Bright House Park to see these two teams battle and get a preview on their upcoming inter-league play, you are guaranteed a great seat anywhere in either house and some of the best baseball the major leagues have to offer. PLAY BALL!!
So as the truck is being packed up for the trip south it is time for you to bust out the calendars and plan your own trips! Philliesnation.com offers a link to start planning your trips to travel with the Phillies (travel to Clearwater is not included in their package--airlines are smart to spring training travel though and you are sure to arrange a flight): http://www.philsfever.com/trip_details.asp?s=u&id=301&ref=PNATION
PHILLIES TICKETS (Bright House Field): http://www.ballparkdigesttickets.com/ResultsGeneral.aspx?kwds=Philadelphia+Phillies
RED SOX TICKETS (JetBlue Park): http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/spring_training/tickets.jsp?c_id=bos
GO PHILS!! And GO SOX!!!
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