Phillies Nation

I’m the biggest Phillies Fan Contest…Continued

Posted by Brian Michael, Sun, November 02, 2008 01:02 AM

So you think you are the biggest Phillies fan in the world? Is it because of your rad Phillies tattoos? Is your house wallpapered with Daily News inserts? Did you predict the Phillies would win the World Series back in Spring Training, like this guy?

If this sounds like you, then tell us why you think you are the biggest Phillies fan by submitting a story, photos, or short video (or all three).

cforms contact form by delicious:days

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And the Winner is…

Posted by Brian Michael, Sat, October 25, 2008 12:42 AM

Michael and Pam!

Congratulations go out to them.  It seems the wedding at the ballpark really put them over the top.

Here are the final results of the I’m the Biggest Phillies Fan contest:

Maria – 219 (11%)
Robert – 55 (3%)
Becky – 472 (23%)
Cathy – 481 (23%)
Michael – 598 (29%)
Kelly – 61 (3%)
Christian – 86 (4%)
Frank – 85 (4%)

Thanks to the over 2,000 people who voted and over 300 fans who submitted entries.  Throughout the coming weeks we’ll post some more of the best stories- they’ll make you laugh and cry.

Now it’s time to play some baseball.

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Contestant 1 – Maria

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:50 AM

I am the biggest Phillies fan there ever was. People can lay claim to it, but it’s not true. I am the biggest fan there is. And if I don’t win this contest, I will cry foul because I know that it is fixed. LOL.My career as a Phillies fan started in the mid 70s when I was a ten year old girl. My father’s company had season tickets for the Vet so sometimes we would be lucky enough to get tickets. My brother was more serious about the Flyers and the Eagles, so my Dad would take me. I have many stories about those nights, one in particular I remember was when the Phillies were losing and I bet the other seven guys there that Mike Schmidt would hit a walk-off homerun and the Phillies would win. Everybody took my bet – $5.00 a piece. I didn’t have to worry about owing any money because I was sure Schmidt would do it. He did. All but one guy paid and the rest blocked him in until he came up with the cash.

Before the days of Prism and Comcast, we could only see the games on Channel 17 or listen to the radio. However, when the Phillies played the Mets, we could get a distorted view of Channel 9, no sound, on my brother’s 13-inch black and white TV, but not on the big color console TV. So my Dad and I would put the small TV on the big TV and take turns holding the antenna in place. What ten year old girl do you know that would do that?

This passion carried on throughout my life. Schmidt is and always was my favorite Phillie. I have so many scrapbooks of him that I made – clippings from the old Bulletin. One morning in 1986 I was walking to work in Center City and there was Mike Schmidt, right on 15th Street. We talked a few minutes. He was very reserved, but very nice. I was cool until I got on the elevator and my knees buckled. I had to sit on the floor of the elevator up to the 19th floor. Good thing it was empty.

In 1988, I met my husband, who is, well, a diehard Mets fan. I hate the Mets. How did this happen? This man is perfect for me, it’s love at first sight. What kind of a bad spell did I fall under that I have to meet a Met fan. Like a beautiful rose with deadly thorns. It gets worse. I marry him. Life has not been easy during baseball season, let me tell you. We have three kids. A girl who is not a baseball fan, and two sons. One is a Met fan, the little one is like his mother. I’d rather have the little one – he’s more ruthless.

I am now 42 years old. Here’s how I live my life during baseball season. When people buy cell phones, they buy them for price, or reception or even for cameras and videos. Not me. Mine has to have the fastest internet so that I can have the Phillies play by play on my phone. At my son’s baseball games, at my daughter’s dance recitals, at the movies, the supermarket, the park, weddings, funerals, the phone is on MLB gameday. I can honestly say that I have not missed a pitch since mobile phones introduced web access. I believe I was the first to sign up. People constantly ask me what I’m doing. All the husbands and fathers love me because they can ask me for the play by play. They get that AND color commentating. I know the game. Better than most.

This past June 6, we were invited to a 60th birthday party for my neighbor at a beautiful hall in South Philly. While there, I had the Phillies-Atlanta game on. Phils trailed most of the game, but in the 9th, my phone goes dead. I forced my husband to say his goodbyes; I did as well and I ran to the car. Phils had tied, subsequently taken the lead and we got home just in time to see Victorino make a fabulous throw to homeplate to gun down Yunel Escobar. Game over.

I pray all the time. I pray to God first, followed by Whitey, Vuk, Tug, Pope and most recently, the beloved Johnny Marz. I know they all probably have better things to do than to worry about a baseball game, but I know that when I go to the other side, I will have divine power and my Phillies will win every year. LOL.

My Phillies bring me to the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, I laugh, I cry, I pace, I stress, I lose sleep. They are such a part of me, part of my DNA that I don’t know who I’d be without them. I was born to do this. I have the MLB package so I watch every rival’s game. If it’s on the west coast and I fall asleep early, like clockwork, I wake up in the middle of the night and check the scores. When I rise in the morning, my first thought is “did the Phillies win last night?”

So you see, others may submit their stories, but they would never, could never be me. I am the biggest fan there is. I always will be. While I was at the 1980 parade and the 1993 pep rally and while I’ve been to many other ballparks to see them, including Wrigley Field, I have never been to a World Series game. I deserve to go, don’t you think?

Here are a few photos of my house.

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Contestant 2 – Robert

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:40 AM

I would consider myself to be the biggest Phillies fan in the world quite simply because of the time, money , and sacrifice that I put into just supporting them.

It all goes back to the time I was 6 years old and waited in line with my parents to get tickets to the world series in 1980 outside the Vet, listening to stories about the Phillies from my father. I have stuck by them since. In 1991 I moved to Ireland when my parents got divorced just to get away from everything that was going on, and to be quite honest the only thing I missed beside my family was the Phillies. The only way you could really follow them was by reading USA Today international edition, and that was a day late. In 1993 the small highlight films were available at ungodly hours of the night, but I watched them. Then in 2000 when MLB AUDIO was introduced I never looked back.

Honestly I have listened to every single Phillies game live on MLB audio or MLB tv with the exception of the west coast games because they start at 3am my time. My wife thinks I’m nuts but I have stuck by this team through every pitch and every call for the last eight years. I have had to endure some pretty lean years and I always have thought that this was going to be there year but had always been let down, until last year and this year…. I have also been back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean numerous times since 2000 for games. I have attended at least 2 to 3 home stands every year since at a cost of between $600 to $1000 for an airline ticket from Ireland. I was at the closing of the Vet, I was at the Opening of the Bank, I was at Spring Training in 07, and decided to do it again this year because they made it to the playoffs last year, I thought it was a good omen. Even for NLDS this year, I got up at 4 am Irish time Wed morning (11pm Philly time Tuesday night) traveled through the night to arrive at 11am in Newark and then drove to Philly to attend the first game against the Brew crew, and attended the second game and flew back for work on Saturday morning.

And get this. Me and my wife just celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary this weekend, and you know what she got me, and airline ticket to Philly on Saturday and I still don’t have a ticket.

In closing, I know we all spend a lot of time and we have all spent a lot supporting this team, but I think what I have done over the years merits getting a ticket. I have screamed, yelled and cried with this team since 1980 and I don’t want to miss this opportunity for me and my father. I want to bring him as he brought me 28 years ago. And for my wife that has put up with me lying along side her in bed at night listening to every game on the internet, and leaving me go home to PA 2 or 3 times a year for games.

I really believe I deserve this as a true fan that has been here and will always be here and really want to savour this moment.

Thank you for the opportunity to tell my story and look forward to your reply.

Kind Regards,
Robert
Kenmare, Ireland

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Contestant 3 – Becky

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:30 AM

Why am I the biggest Phillies’ Phan in the world? It started in 1980. I was not yet born, but I traveled to the World Series while my mother was pregnant with me. From then on, it was in my blood.

My childhood was spent watching games every weekend at my grandmother’s house. When we went to the beach we always took a radio down with us for afternoon games and listened to Harry call the play by play. Oh, how I love that voice! I had a stuffed Phanatic and several shirts as a little girl who loved the Phillies.

I’ll never forget my first ever Phillies’ game. I was 12 years old before my family could take me, but when I went, WOW! I remember vividly the breathtaking sight of the slanted runways of the Vet. As soon as my feet hit the concourse and looked out over the bright green field, I was hooked forever. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. That very year I was blessed to watch the Fightinz on TV as they played into the NLCS and the World Series. I still remember “Wild Thing” Mitch Williams give up the home run ball to end our hopes as I stayed up to watch at a friend’s sleepover.

My fanhood continued until it took on a whole new level when I graduated college and really became an adult. I bought tickets to go to the first ever game at Citizen’s Bank Park and was selected as one of the first ever “Citizen’s Seven!” I stayed for every pitch on that cold, damp, rainy, 50 degree day. I knew I had found my favorite place to be.

Since then, I have driven about 2 hours from Harrisburg, PA to see between 10 and 20 games a season. I was there last year when we clinched the division, and I cried and celebrated as if it were the best day of my life… and it may have been.

I was there this year for Go, Go, Golson’s amazing pinch-run to home down the stretch. I stayed through 2 hours of rain delays on the Phanatic’s birthday game in May, only to be rewarded with getting to dance on the dugout with him in the 7th inning! A dream come true! I was there for the July 11th fireworks game that went into extra innings and the fireworks into the next day, technically, and stayed for every moment. I also traveled to Washington D.C. to see the Phils play the Nationals on Labor Day. It could have been a home game for the Phils! How awesome! Finally, living in Harrisburg, I’ve gone to our local Triple A team, the Harrisburg Senators (Nats’ minor league system) countless times when the Reading Phillies come to town. It was there that I first saw a young Ryan Howard, months before making it to the big leagues and becoming Rookie of the Year. This year I was lucky enough to watch Golson, Marson, Donald, and Carrasco several times and got some amazing pictures of Carrasco and even got him to sign a ball for me! Giving that much time and love to our prospects has to up the “biggest fan” factor a bit!

I’ve spent more nights than I can count glued to the TV, trying not to miss a moment of any game. And sadly, living outside of Philadelphia, I’ve also had to spend a few nights with the AM radio or Gamecast on the computer when our local CW chose not to bring the game on TV.

Being a teacher, I’ve also decorated my room quite extensively, including a Chase Utley growth chart. magnets and posters from the Phanatic About Reading program that I entered my school in last year (still sad the Phanatic didn’t choose our school to visit!), a few rally towels and posters hanging on and around my desk and in the doorway/hallway by my room. I wear one of my many Phillies’ shirts every dress down day we have. The two personal days I get every year? Well, I spent the first one this year on October 1st so I could be at Citizen’s Bank Park at noon when the postseason pep rally began and then attended the game. The second personal day? Well, I’m hoping to use that one to attend the parade down Broad Street. I would love more than anything to be able to go to the World Series. I do not have any tickets yet and cannot afford the astronomical prices on Stubhub and ebay. Please help me get there!!!!!!!!!!!

GO PHILS! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SOOOOOOOO PROUD!!!

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Contestant 4 – Cathy

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:20 AM

I have been a fan my whole life. The first picture is me in first grade when we won the World Series. I was such a Phanatic the principal let me come to school in my gear and give out red candy to the whole school. Currently I teach Kindergarten at St. Luke’s and I turn every class into fans. We talk about never giving up like Chris Coste and to always believe like Tug. Every day I wear a Tug McGraw baseball bracelet on one wrist and a rosary bracelet on the other. I tell people I like to represent both of my religions.

My dream in life became a reality this summer when I won the auction at the Phillies Phestival and got to dance on the dugout with Phanatic. That picture is also enclosed. My Dad is also a huge Phillies fan and gave me the set of glasses he got when the opened Veteran’s Stadium. I’ve been waiting for the World Series to drink out of them. I’m so excited.

Above my fireplace in my living room is a picture of Richie Ashburn. Although I never saw him play I loved him as an announcer and went to Cooperstown to watch him be inducted into the Hall of Fame. What a great experience.

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Contestant 5 – Michael

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:13 AM

My wife Pam and I together are the biggest Phillies fans in the world and I really don’t need to say a lot to tell you that — all you have to do is watch the video from our wedding. We got married this year, May 10, 2008 — the ceremony was at home plate in Citizens Bank Park and the reception was in the Diamond Club. The video is online here.

I’ve also attached a few pictures – one is the bobble head that we had made of ourselves for the top of our wedding cake.

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Contestant 6 – Kelly

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:10 AM

Well lets see, I was born and raised loving The Philadelphia Phillies, and have been a die hard fan for 24 years. The craziest thing I have done to show them my love and support was sacrificing my job on a cruise ship in Hawaii, my boyfriend, and a $960.00 ticket just to fly home to party in the parking lot.

My contracts on the ship are normally 5 months long, but the moment that the Phils made the playoffs I requested to sign off the ship immediately. I told them it was a family emergency, because to me The Phils are my family (even though I’d makeout with some of those family members ha ha j/k) My request was denied due to shorthand in staff, and as hard as it was to leave beautiful Hawaii, I resigned that day. My boyfriend, who works on the ship with me thought I was crazy, but what does he know he’s a Yankees fan. My ticket home cost well over $900.00 due to stupid gas prices, but being home to support my Phils = priceless.

I would love more then anything in this entire world to go to one of the games. I knew since mid season that we were going all the way. I also skipped my college graduation because I had tickets to a Phillies game against the marlins, and they lost. I don’t even regret it, because to me it was worth it! I remember being in 3rd grade and getting detention because I wouldn’t take off my Phillies hat when they were in the series. I remember taking the subway down to the vet every game in the summer and paying $15.00 for 700 level seats and sneaking down. My greatest memory was before the game started we would stand in the bleachers at the vet during batting practice in hopes to catch a ball, and one game Darren Daulton gave me a pack of his sunflower seeds. I saved them for my own softball game hoping that they would give me some of his skills.

I thought the Phillie Phanatic was a real animal until the age of 7, and was so upset to find out that we would not see him on our class trip to the zoo. I could go on forever about the amazing memories and crazy things that I have done for the Phils, but all I want is to watch them win this series. Please how many other fans can say they spent $900.00+ college graduation ceremony + leaving beautiful Hawaii – a long term boyfriend, and so much more? I am by far the BIGGEST Phillies fan, and please just bring me to Game 4!!! I will do anything. I’d miss my wedding if it fell on a Phillies game night! I love Philadelphia, and can’t wait to stumble down Broad Street when we win! I have sacrificed so much to be here for the Phils, and all I am asking is that you see how devoted I am to these guys. Thank you!

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Contestant 7 – Christian

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:06 AM

Okay. Where do I start.

I am 26 years old. Born and raised in South Philadelphia. LIFE LONG PHILLIES FAN. I was 11 years old in my basement on 7th & Federal St. with my father when Joe Carter hit the walk off home run in Toronto.

Even though I was only 11 the impact it had on me was incredible. Now, 15 years later I am finally old enough to realize the scope of that night in retrospect.

I didn’t miss one game of the 2008 season weather that means being at the ball park in person, watching it on television, or listening to it on the radio.

I finally completed the bond between my city, my team, and my body this year by getting my “Rad Phillies Tattoo” back in May. And when the Phillies WIN the world series I will add a date onto the tattoo. (also note the Liberty Bell eyes.)

I won’t ramble on and on about why I should win these tickets but rather try to convince you that I deserve this more than anyone I know.

I have Phillies flags hanging out of my apt. window. I have the logo tattooed on my forearm for Christ sake. I screen print Phillies tee shirts in my kitchen so I have a different color shirt to wear every day of the week.

Put yourself in the shoes of a South Philadelphia native. Born here. Lives here. Works here. And play’s here. Never been to a World Series. Couldn’t afford if I wanted to. I would cherish the opportunity for the rest of my lifetime. Win or Lose. Plus I would exchange free homemade Phillies shirts to anyone associated with this web site.

In closing, I am the biggest Phillies fan that I know. If I were to win these tickets I would be more grateful than anyone I know. I will cheer, root, scream, laugh, cry, heckle, and cherish every second of game 4 of the 2008 world series in person.

Try to distinguish the “Fair Weather Fans” from the people that were born & raised right here in the thick of things. The people who remember Connie Mack stadium. The people who would ride their bikes to The Vet on the hottest days of the summer. The people who love the new Citizens Bank park for all that it is. And the people who will continue to go to Phillies games in the new stadium 30 years from now.

The Phillies WILL be the 2008 champions of baseball and I would give limb to witness ONE game in person.

Thank You!!

Christian

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Contestant 8 – Frank

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, October 23, 2008 11:02 AM

I work in New York City. I live in New York City. I was born in New York City. I am a die-hard Fightin’ Phillies fan. Weird huh? It happen in 1976. I was in Philadelphia on a class trip and fell in love with the city, right away. That summer (’76) my Uncle took me to a Mets/Phillies double-header and I watched ‘The Bull’ hit a Grand Slam, and from that moment I was hooked with the Phils.

Now think about the torture I endured as a kid in NYC, wearing Phillies gear. Surrounded by Yankee/Met fans. I was always able to make my team sets (Topps) with the Phillies, cause I would trade away all the Yanks/Mets cards for my Fightin’ Phillies.
Now modern day, I work for the Dept. of Sanitation. I’m the only Phillies fan on the job. 5000+ employees got to abuse me for my first 8 years on the job, but the last 2, I’m able to talk a little bit.

I did predict the Phillies to make Fall Classic, I picked my vacation weeks back in January. My shop steward said I was nuts to give up summer vacation for an October vacation and called my reasons hopeful thinking…now he asks me for lotto numbers.

What makes this a lot sweeter, is that my wife is a die-hard Met fan. Nothing would be greater in winning these tickets and getting out of NYC and away from my wife.

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