Spring is here...and with that comes much anticipated nicer weather, the desire to be outdoors and baseball season. I will admit I am not a huge professional sports fan, but I do have a special connection to this team...keep reading to learn more. If you are a Philadelphia sports fan, there is something to be said for opening day at Citizen's Bank Park...which is today! The Phillies, like any team. have certainly had their ups and downs over the years, but it can always be fun to spend a nice day at the ball park cheering them on, It is a bit extra special this year as the park actually looks like the photo above... full of people. This hasn't been seen in 2 years like so many other big events which involve crowds. Perhaps a topic for another day... but, are we truly on the other side of this pandemic?? I sincerely hope so, and it is so nice to return to these types of activities again. This can make for a great day to spend with the kids, and Citizen's Bank park is very kid friendly with lots for the little ones to do besides just watch the game.
There is a mini-ball park for the kids as well as a huge playground, the Phanatic, and of course ice cream in a mini baseball helmet! (which is a big kid/mom & dad favorite too😉)
As an orthopedic surgeon doing a sports medicine fellowship, part of my responsibilities was to assist in covering sporting events. I finished my residency in 2003 and then did my fellowship at Jefferson in Philadelphia. The attending surgeons I worked under were the team physicians for various professional Philly sports teams including the Phillies as well as several local college and high school teams. Team coverage for the Phillies was actually a lot of fun. We were given 2 tickets to the game (great seats behind home plate), and there wasn't usually much concern for injuries that would require our attention so we could truly enjoy the game. During my fellowship year, Citizens Bank Park was just being completed. The fellowship is a year long and starts in August so we covered the last few games at the old stadium (the Vet) and then the first season in the new stadium. It was a really cool time to be there. My older daughter was 3 years old then, and she came to many of the games with me which was so much fun. She even has a ball signed by several of the players she was able to meet that year.
The head trainer for the team at that time was a wonderful guy and was the true go to person if there was an injury. He was always really good to all of the fellows who came through, and when we finished our year, he gave each of us a framed jersey with our name embroidered on it. This hangs in the hallway of one of my offices and often sparks questions and comments from patients when they see it.
I took both girls to games several times after that year, but I haven't been back to a game in a while. The kids, or should I say young adults, continue to go when they can...and she still prefers the red hat❣️⚾️
