or George Hendrick… whatever…  read the entire game boxscore here

30 years ago tonight, Tommy and I opted to go to the Phillies-Cardinals game, instead of attending that night’s high school Senior Prom.  For me, it was my first Phillies game at the Vet since 1974, but it was just the first of many, many games that Tommy and I would attend over the next 15 or so years; his family’s season tickets initially were in row 18 of section 232, but after the strike year of 1981 they moved up 5 rows to row 13, seats 10 and 11. 

Those seats were magical, and looking back now it was such a privilege to sit so close to home plate for as many games for such a (relatively) low price as I did.  Nowadays, in Citizens Bank Park, those seats would cost upwards of $100 apiece.  We sat in those seats through many summer nights while we were in college; we were there in those seats at the snow-delayed Phillies home opener in 1982.  Eventually, as we both grew older and Tom got married, I used to buy 10 or so games from his Mom, and used to take my future bride to the games.  Our seats were directly under the radio booth, and during the 7th inning stretch we used to exchange waves with the late Richie Ashburn and Harry Kalas.  I remember taking my Dad to one particular Saturday afternoon game, and on the way out we ran into Richie as he was leaving the stadium; my Dad, having remembered #1 from his playing days with the Whiz Kids, was duly impressed with his brush with baseball greatness.

Tommy and I sat in those seats for what may have been the last true double-header at the Vet, and witnessed the late Tug McGraw recite Casey at the Bat between games from the mound, and again in those seats on Mike Schmidt night when he retired from baseball.  Edith and I sat there through rain delayed nights when we were practically the only fans there, and again on the nights we celebrated Richie’s and Schmidt’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Those seats were truly special, and played a huge part on making me the fan of the game that I am today, which I have passed down to my own son.  Will and I have been to only 5 games at the new ballpark, and we’ll be there again on September 3, sitting in section 116, 6 rows behind the Phillies dugout down the first base side.  Richie and Harry, and Tug, are now gone, but we continue to cheer for the Phils as we create our own memories.