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Citizens Bank Park - still standing

Location - 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia Pennsylvania -- Bounded by Pattison Ave., S. Darien St., Phillies Drive.

Citizens Bank Park is heaven compared to it's former next door neighbor, the old Vet. After 33 seasons of bad astro turf, rats the size of cats, an ash tray feel of a stadium, and miserable clubhouse facilities, the Phillies moved into the modern era of parks. To say Citizens Bank Park is an upgrade is an understatement. To me, it is one of the best of the new parks. It ranks up there with Camden Yards just down I-95 in Baltimore, PNC Park across the state in Pittsburgh, and ATT Park in my area of San Francisco.

Citizens Bank Park was literally built in the shadows of the old Vet. Directly to the east of the Vet in the parking lot to be exact. Phillie fans going to games at the old Vet could watch the new digs spring up from the lot. Located just east of Broad Street on Pattison Avenue, the new park is part of the stadium complex. Directly across the street from Citizens Bank Park is Lincoln Financial Field, or the Linc as it as known. This is the new nest for the Philadelphia Eagles. To the direct west of the Linc is the Wachovia Center, which is home to the Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Wachovia Center was built on the site of old JFK stadium, the onetime home of the Eagles. JFK stadium stood from 1925 thru 1992, but is probably best remembered as the site of Live Aid in 1985. It was demolished in 1992. The original home of the Flyers is still standing directly to the north of the Wachovia Center. The original Spectrum still hosts small concerts and the Philadelphia Phantoms hockey team.

Opening day for the Phillies new home was on April 12, 2004. The opponents were the Cincinnati Reds. Randy Wolf was the Phillies starter on opening day. Bobby Abreu had the first hit in the new park. Ironically it was also the first home run. He connected in the first inning off the Reds starter Paul Wilson. The Phillies eventually lost the opening contest 4-1. The first victory would come one day later with a 6 - 4 decision over the same Reds. Rheal Cormier got the win with Billy Wagner getting the first save for the Phillies in the new park.

People have said its a "band box." It may have a distinct hitters advantage. Keeping the ball down is important here. After the 2005 season, fences were moved back 5 feet and raised 2.5 feet. This cut down the home runs a fraction. With boppers like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, they are going to get their share of home runs no matter what. Ryan Howard is the only guy to ever hit one in the right field third deck. The Yankees Mike Mussina served up the blast to Howard. The ball traveled an estimated 437 feet. The Phillies painted a white H on the seat where the ball landed. The longest bomb at the new park was also hit by Howard, when he cleared the brick backdrop in centerfield. It is estimated at 505 feet. The longest home run by a visiting player was hit on July 13, 2007, by the Cardinals Albert Pujols. I was fortunate enough to be at that game, and I watched as the ball flew on to Ashburn Alley.

Citizens Bank Park is a great place to see a game. A wide concourse circles the whole park. Lots of good places to eat dot the park. From Harry the K's in left field (named after Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas), to the bull's BBQ (former Phillie slugger Greg Luzinski's place), to Tony Luke's cheese steaks (my PERSONAL Philly cheese steak favorite), the park has a lot to choose from.

On a personal note, if you ever get to Philadelphia and want a great Philly cheese steak, GO to Tony Luke's. It is about 10 minutes east of the ballpark. It's on Oregon Avenue, just east of Front Street in south Philadelphia. My favorite is the pepperoni pizza steak. To die for. Pat and Geno's are OK, mostly tourist traps, but Tony Luke's beats them hands down in my opinion.

It is light years better than its old counterpart the Vet. As Citizens Bank used to be a parking lot for Vet patrons, now the Vet is returning the favor. Citizens Bank Park will be around a lot longer than the 33 years of the old Vet. GOOD JOB Philadelphia! You did it right!