The Philadelphia Phillies currently own the longest stretch in professional sports using a single continuous name in one city. A lot of fans attending home games at Citizens Bank Park have rooted for the team their whole lives. However, they probably don’t know the whole history of Phillies ballparks.
History of Philadelphia Phillies Ballparks
The Phillies won their first World Series nearly a century after their original inception as the Philadelphia Quakers. It was 77 years after the Fall Classic began.
The triumph of 1980 and a second celebration in 2008 stand as the best moments in franchise history. However, over 11,000 losses have sandwiched the two World Series championships.
A franchise that’s been around since 1883 has certainly experienced its fair share of ups and downs and its fair share of changes. The Phillies have moved into five new homes since the 19th century.
There have been moves just a few blocks between ballparks in North Philadelphia. There have been implosions and new construction projects at the sports complex in South Philadelphia. Two temporary homes and a timeless tradition of baseball fandom are also involved.
Baseball in Philadelphia
Other prominent venues have also hosted professional baseball games in the City of Brotherly Love. The Philadelphia Athletics opened Shibe Park long before the Phillies moved out of the renowned Baker Bowl. The A’s won five World Series in the storied stadium.
The Philadelphia Stars played at 44th and Parkside, the current site of Memorial Park honoring a major chapter in the history of the Philadelphia Negro Leagues.
Attending a Phillies game has become as essential to life in Philadelphia during the summer months as a 4th of July celebration or a trip to the Jersey Shore. A day at the ballpark creates the appeal of America’s pastime, whether you’re a younger fan only familiar with Citizens Bank Park, a former diehard of Veterans Stadium, or a lifelong Phillies fan who can reach even deeper into history.
Citizens Bank Park
2004-Present
Estimated Capacity: 43,000The grand opening of Citizens Bank Park in 2004 provided a shiny new alternative to a rundown stadium that had fallen apart. The lure of Ashburn Alley, Harry the K’s, and Bull’s BBQ created excitement for a new era of baseball in a town that had endured too much losing during the 1990s.
Three years later, the Phillies won the first of five consecutive National League East pennants. The stretch included the clinching victory in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies sold out Citizens Bank Park for 257 consecutive regular-season games from July 2009-August 2012. It was the third-longest streak in MLB history at the time, and 16 playoff games all sold out during the same stretch.
Colin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia
Veterans Stadium
1971-2003
Estimated Capacity: 62,000 (baseball)Veterans Stadium opened during an era when MLB and NFL teams trended toward a preference for sharing multipurpose stadiums. The Houston Astrodome and Three River Stadium in Pittsburgh had recently opened before the Vet, creating some excitement for a brand new venue.
The multipurpose stadium turned into a venue associated more commonly with the Philadelphia Eagles and the tough, old school identity of the fan base. The hostility against visiting teams, the infamous jail of Judge Seamus McCaffery, and the cringy field conditions all became part of local legends personified by the Vet.
Photo by Doug Pensinger /Allsport
