Today’s opening day game will mark the first time Shane Victorino has played in Philadelphia since being traded to the Dodgers back in July of 2012. He returned to Citizens Bank Park with the Red Sox in 2013, but he didn’t play due to injury.
“I’m with the Red Sox now and that’s my focus. But it would be special to get a chance to play in that park again in front of those fans,” Victorino said last week in an interview with The Boston Globe. “That has been in the back of my mind.”
Phillies fans will likely welcome “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” with thunderous applause, with a few boos sprinkled in just because he’s wearing the enemy uniform.
Since being traded by the Phillies, Victorino has played for the Dodgers and Red Sox, and won a World Series championship with Boston in 2013.
In his two years with Boston, Victorino has hit .288 with 17 home runs, 73 RBIs, and a .341 OBP in 152 games.
Victorino spent eight years with the Phillies. In that time, Victorino hit .279 with 88 home runs and 390 RBIs in 987 games. He became a fan favorite during his time in Philadelphia, and had one of the more memorable moments during the 2008 playoffs when he hit a grand slam off C.C. Sabathia in the NLDS against the Brewers.
