Trains overwhelmed as Phillies fans flock downtown
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Trains overwhelmed as Phillies fans flock downtown
By BOB LENTZ – 55 minutes ago
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Thousands of Phillies fans lined up 10 deep along downtown sidewalks and overwhelmed commuter trains hauled thousands more toward Philadelphia as excitement built Friday for the city's first championship parade in 25 years.
The World Series-winning Philadelphia Phillies were expected to be showered with brotherly love and confetti during the 90-minute procession from the heart of the city to the sports complex in South Philadelphia, about 4 miles away.
People wore Phillies gear and brought stepladders to see over the crowds. Toward the end of the parade route, fans climbed onto low storefront roofs to get a better view.
Saint Joseph's University graduate students Alaina Hullings and Tricia Duckworth, both 22, said they stayed up all night devising their ensembles: faux grass skirts with red, white and blue leis, plus homemade red capes emblazoned with center fielder Shane Victorino's No. 8 and his nickname "Flyin' Hawaiian" on the back.
"I've waited my whole life for this," Hullings said.
Brian Campbell, 29, gathered with a group that staked out their spots with lawn chairs at 6 a.m.
"We knew it was going to be packed by noon," Campbell said. "We've got no problem waiting seven hours for five minutes of the parade to go by."
His brother Kyle, 26, took a day off from work to join the fun.
"I told my boss he could fire me, but I can't miss this," Kyle Campbell said.
The team will be greeted by another hundred thousand fans watching the festivities on big screens at the city's baseball and football stadiums. Team officials said Phillies players will attend a rally at Citizens Bank Park and make a brief appearance at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.
Half an hour before the parade started, the crowd was still light at Citizens Bank Park, where a band played on the field.
Mayor Michael Nutter cautioned fans against the scattered vandalism that marred the revelry after the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays for the title late Wednesday. Police reported 76 arrests and several vandalized businesses; they are also examining photos and video of the crowds to identify and arrest additional offenders.
"You can be joyous; you cannot be a jackass," Nutter said Thursday. "That kind of idiotic, destructive behavior will not be accepted in the city of Philadelphia."
Officials had earlier stressed the importance of using public transit, but the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reported Friday that its suburban trains were full by midmorning.
"We are being overwhelmed," said SEPTA spokesman Felipe Suarez. "We are having to bypass stations."
PATCO train stations in southern New Jersey were also jammed early Friday, forcing fans to stand in long lines to buy tickets.
The last time a Philadelphia team won a major championship was in 1983, when the 76ers won the NBA title. The Phillies won their only other World Series in 1980.
For that reason, Pat Hall, 43, had no problem letting his son miss sixth-grade classes Friday. They had a prime position along the sidewalk about a block from the start of the parade route.
"This is more than just seeing a parade," Hall said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event."
Associated Press writers Randy Pennell, Michael Rubinkam and Dan Gelston contributed to this story.
By BOB LENTZ – 55 minutes ago
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Thousands of Phillies fans lined up 10 deep along downtown sidewalks and overwhelmed commuter trains hauled thousands more toward Philadelphia as excitement built Friday for the city's first championship parade in 25 years.
The World Series-winning Philadelphia Phillies were expected to be showered with brotherly love and confetti during the 90-minute procession from the heart of the city to the sports complex in South Philadelphia, about 4 miles away.
People wore Phillies gear and brought stepladders to see over the crowds. Toward the end of the parade route, fans climbed onto low storefront roofs to get a better view.
Saint Joseph's University graduate students Alaina Hullings and Tricia Duckworth, both 22, said they stayed up all night devising their ensembles: faux grass skirts with red, white and blue leis, plus homemade red capes emblazoned with center fielder Shane Victorino's No. 8 and his nickname "Flyin' Hawaiian" on the back.
"I've waited my whole life for this," Hullings said.
Brian Campbell, 29, gathered with a group that staked out their spots with lawn chairs at 6 a.m.
"We knew it was going to be packed by noon," Campbell said. "We've got no problem waiting seven hours for five minutes of the parade to go by."
His brother Kyle, 26, took a day off from work to join the fun.
"I told my boss he could fire me, but I can't miss this," Kyle Campbell said.
The team will be greeted by another hundred thousand fans watching the festivities on big screens at the city's baseball and football stadiums. Team officials said Phillies players will attend a rally at Citizens Bank Park and make a brief appearance at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.
Half an hour before the parade started, the crowd was still light at Citizens Bank Park, where a band played on the field.
Mayor Michael Nutter cautioned fans against the scattered vandalism that marred the revelry after the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays for the title late Wednesday. Police reported 76 arrests and several vandalized businesses; they are also examining photos and video of the crowds to identify and arrest additional offenders.
"You can be joyous; you cannot be a jackass," Nutter said Thursday. "That kind of idiotic, destructive behavior will not be accepted in the city of Philadelphia."
Officials had earlier stressed the importance of using public transit, but the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reported Friday that its suburban trains were full by midmorning.
"We are being overwhelmed," said SEPTA spokesman Felipe Suarez. "We are having to bypass stations."
PATCO train stations in southern New Jersey were also jammed early Friday, forcing fans to stand in long lines to buy tickets.
The last time a Philadelphia team won a major championship was in 1983, when the 76ers won the NBA title. The Phillies won their only other World Series in 1980.
For that reason, Pat Hall, 43, had no problem letting his son miss sixth-grade classes Friday. They had a prime position along the sidewalk about a block from the start of the parade route.
"This is more than just seeing a parade," Hall said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event."
Associated Press writers Randy Pennell, Michael Rubinkam and Dan Gelston contributed to this story.
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By MICHAEL RUBINKAM – 49 minutes ago
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel hoisted the World Series trophy Friday while players waved, the Phanatic danced and hundreds of thousands of fans roared in celebrating the city's first sports title parade in 25 years. Left fielder Pat Burrell led the confetti-filled procession, riding a horse-drawn carriage and pumping his fists. Next came several flatbed trucks filled with waving players and other members of the Phillies organization, including the furry green Phanatic mascot.
Throngs in Phillies gear packed downtown sidewalks, making them almost impassable. So fans climbed trees, hung out of windows, watched from balconies, brought stepladders and stood on roofs to get a better view.
Surging crowds pushed onto the streets at some intersections, leaving just enough room for the trucks and their police escorts to pass. Fans took to the streets to trail the parade as it went by.
The procession was expected to take about 90 minutes to get from the heart of the city to the sports complex in South Philadelphia, about four miles away.
There, the team was expected to be greeted by another hundred thousand fans watching the festivities on big screens at the city's baseball and football stadiums. Phillies players will attend a rally at Citizens Bank Park and make a brief appearance at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.
The last time a Philadelphia team won a major championship was in 1983, when the 76ers won the NBA title. The Phillies won their only other World Series in 1980.
Havertown resident Keith Goodman skipped work to bring his 7-year-old son, Richie, to Citizens Bank Park.
"I don't know if we'll ever get this chance again," Goodman said. "He's been saying it's been seven long years. I say it's 25 long years."
Nick and Patricia Gavin of suburban Delaware County, who were children when they attended the 1980 parade, brought their own downtown on Friday.
Jaclyn, 10, planned to dress as a Phillies ball girl later in the day for Halloween, but her brother Nicholas, 8, was too excited about the World Series win to think about trick-or-treating.
"This made me forget about Halloween," Nicholas said.
Officials had earlier stressed the importance of using public transit, but the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reported being overwhelmed by midmorning Friday.
By the time the parade started, the agency had temporarily suspended commuter rail service into Philadelphia so that trains would be available for those leaving the parade. Subways and trolleys were still operating, SEPTA spokesman Gary Fairfax said.
"It is simply a tremendous crowd in Center City," Fairfax said.
AP writers Bob Lentz, Randy Pennell and Dan Gelston contributed to this report.
I took my kids out of school for it and they talked about it all the way home. I truly believe they will remember this until next years parade!!
Will post pictures soon!
Go Phillies
<< <i>I WAS THERE!!!!! WHAT A SEEN!
I took my kids out of school for it and they talked about it all the way home. I truly believe they will remember this until next years parade!!
Will post pictures soon! >>
Look forward to the pics.
Now don't get greedy, Steve...one championship per generation is plenty for you guys..
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i> Yea, but now we've got the Eagles to worry about.
Now don't get greedy, Steve...one championship per generation is plenty for you guys..
Now that was just plain mean!
<< <i>
<< <i> Yea, but now we've got the Eagles to worry about.
Now don't get greedy, Steve...one championship per generation is plenty for you guys..
Now that was just plain mean!
PS: If Penn State were to win the upcoming college championship and the Eagles were to win the upcoming Super Bowl, I'd never ask for anything again.
only 12 teams back then though,and they were bad-a$$
,and nfl hofer greasy neale was the eagles coach ,the old high school player and coach at p.h.s.here in 1910-1912,wvu coach,he was coach of duke for about a day once till he told em to stick it, his name was greasy and you best call me that
almost had 3 in a row but charlie trippi invented cleats with nails in shoes for a game on ice in chicago and nobody could catch him and he scored
Steve
<< <i> Yea, but now we've got the Eagles to worry about.
Now don't get greedy, Steve...one championship per generation is plenty for you guys..
Ha lol
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
Steve
<< <i>Yeah, see ya in 20 years Steviek.
Steve >>
I've contacted the commissioner and asked him to create an award for 2nd place in the NL East so the Mets can win something.