Citizens Bank Park Opening Day Festivities!

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3:04To call us from one of the parking lots. All right, some of the stuff to know as you head down today. 9 o'clock team store opens to get all your gear. Gates open at 145. So the Phillies start batting practice at 125, but the gates open at 145. That's when you can get in there. Obviously, there's going to be all sorts of block parties outside. That's where I expect. John, I guess I'm going to wear the uniform. I honestly haven't decided, but I guess I'll wear the Phillies uniform with the flag, with the trophy, with the WIP cup. And I'm going to encourage people to pour their beer into the WIP cup. That's what you say on you? No, no, in it. I miss her. You miss her, you know, some jackass is going to do that. You just said it now, right? So I'm going to do it. You'll be so mad at me. Can I just take deep on this here? You're asking people to a bunch of random people to all drink out of the same cup.

4:05Sure, that's what they do with the Stanley Cup. It's gross. This is the WIP cup. Hold on. You're telling them to pour their beer in your cup. Yeah. And then what? You just give them the cups so they can drink it. John, this is the glory. So then everyone just drinks out of the same trophy. Sure. So right now, lawyers at WIP are calling Rod Lakin and saying, tell that guy to shut them off. What if I have two people there with the white gloves like to do with the Stanley Cup and they wipe it down? They wipe it out every time. Yes, sanitize. Hey, Rubin, you're available from 1 to 3 today? All right, some other stuff, free games. So festivities, obviously, outside the ballpark feels to a really nice job with that. WIP, I mean, we're going to be everywhere. I mean, we're going to have free game stuff on the air. We'll be out and about and around the ballpark. All good stuff. 3.30 inside the ballpark is when the ceremonies begin. The actual opening day official ceremonies begin at 3.30. The team will, of course, make their way onto the field as they always do. You're going to get introductions of both teams.

5:06Rubin, you've lined up for this. And we only get this. How many, remember, I believe it's game one of the season, game one of the playoffs, and game one of the World Series. So the only three times they all line up. Is that right? Oh, and I should say game three of the World Series because you're on the other teams home ballpark. And I guess game one of the other teams. I thought it was just a World Series, but I could be wrong. No, they lined up for, they lined up last year to start the playoffs. Maybe they did. Yeah, no, they definitely did. I think this was an original idea from Baron Larry Shank. I think he was the one who came up with that idea. Oh, shout out to Larry Shank. Absolutely. Like, in baseball, not just the Phillies, like he invented. I think he started that trend. I believe I don't quote me on it. But I think he was the reason why they started doing it. Did you mention the All Star game too? Because that's here this year. Ah, you got about that. That's right. National anthem will, of course, be sung by Harry Sun, Kane Cowell, who always does a wonderful job. Amazing. You're going to get the New Jersey Air National Guard out there, Fighter Wings.

6:07So that will be. Oh, you got the flyover? Flyover. Oh, I love that. I love the flyover. 177th Fighter Wing, the New Jersey Air National Guard. I imagine that means flyover not on field. I mean, right? I don't think they're coming out of the field. So I believe that's a flyover. Oh, yeah, it says flyover. Yep, flyover following the national anthem. First pitch. Let's get to some first pitch action. Four former fills, all of whom made the All Star game. Larry Boa, the bull, Mike Schmidt. I imagine they probably all made it in 76. I would probably be the tie-in. And Ricky Patalico, who is the Phillies representative in the 96 All Star game. I was about to say not 76, yeah. Not 76. To your point, James, obviously, the fills will be leaning into some All Star stuff there. Which they should. It's super cool, yeah. So Boa, Bull, Schmitty, and Ricky Boe. And then at 415 today, the young pyres are going to say there's two magical words. Play ball. And the ball will be in the hands of Christopher Sanchez.

7:09So if you're having a wonderful start to your Thursday, hope you're headed to the ballpark. If not, of course, you know, you can listen right here on WIP, Fransky and L.A. on the call. All season long, you know, Kevin Stocker broadcast and the whole deal. Great as that. Fransky and L.A. It's just the best. It is awesome. Let's go to the phones. 215-592-9494, as we broadcast from Chickies and Peats. Reminder, we're at the Chickies in South Philly. Today's show brought to you by Budweiser game days are always better with ice cold Budweiser and crab fries from Chickies and Peats. Testing season is right around the corner. And this is when confidence really matters. When kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments, it can make all the difference. IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now. So they walk into every test feeling prepared, capable and confident. IXL is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning, whether they're building math confidence, strengthening reading and writing skills, or reviewing science concepts.

8:10Designed for students from pre-K through 12th grade, IXL delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to your child's level and pace. It's an easy, effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch. Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests, proven in all 50 states. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now. And listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXLlearning.com slash audio. Visit IXLlearning.com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. It's Charles Barkley here with WayFair. Let me tell you, game day is serious business at my house. If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoops, my outdoor setup, that'll be ready to play. That's where WayFair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grill accessories, WayFair's got it all and it shows up fast.

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10:11Two most important. Because they're the guys I feel have to step up. We were asking earlier who's the most likely filly to step forward. John, I still don't think I know. I think the most important, wow. You got a lot of important fillies. The most important fillies that I guess we need to get significantly more out of. I think the guys who really need to show major improvement are Alec, Bowman, Bryson, Stott. Fortunately, I feel like Stott is right for that improvement. I have no idea where Alec, Bowman is on that. Add a good spring. OK. Add a good spring. Worth a point out. OK. Add a great spring. Yeah. Good. Yeah. And I'm told all the time to take nothing from what I see now. Not it's on. I do hope. What do you think, Rubin? Is Alec Bowman going to become the guy they want him to be?

11:14I think he has. It's a step off here. It's a free agent year form. I think he's going to step forward and be a very good quality. He's already has a good quality third baseman. He's put in a position to be in the forehole. He's probably a five or six hole hitter. But he is the right guy for this team to hit in the forehole until he proves he can't. And I think he's going to have a great year. I really do. I respect the way he's handled a lot of things. He has not had an easy time of it here. And he's always been rumored to be traded and for him to come in and do what he did this spring and handle himself the way he's handled himself. I think that's pretty impressive. And I'll say this, Rubin, very few players in Philly Sports that are this prominent, like him and JT. We're ever so close to being dumped if they had acquired a different player. Yeah. I mean, they were both at 11.59. They were with, you know, and I'm using that metaphorically. And that's not the word. Alan Iverson. Yeah, Alan Iverson. I mean, he was... Geiger says, yeah. He was traded and it didn't count.

12:15But like JT and Bone were gone. If Peshette says yes, there's no JT and there's no bone. Very likely. And, you know, it's just a wild... And they both handled it extremely well. They're professionals. They did. All right, 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4-2 way on all this. As we broadcast from Chikis and Peets, 94-W-I-P-H-D-1 Philadelphia broadcasting away from the Taste of Cake Studio. We are at Chikis today in South Philly. I'd also say the most intriguing fills, my list for most intriguing fills in whatever order are Crawford, Garcia, and Painter. Because I don't know what they're gonna get. I'm really excited to see Crawford and Painter finally. You'll see Crawford today. See Painter in a couple days. We'll see Garcia today. Let's go. Let's talk to Scott and Barrienton. Hi, Scott. Brother Joe, brother Richie Morning Crew. What's good? What's good with you? Scott. It's been a minute. It's been a minute. Great to hear you. But listening, I appreciate you. Listen while I've been working. And I'm glad to be on the show.

13:15Brother Joe, I'm gonna congratulate you, Matt. I was pulling with you for you all the way. I have a young nephew who thinks he can beat me and this and that and being the old here, of course, I was pulling for you. Congrats. I was so happy for you. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, you did it up. You did it up, but you deserve that win. I'm excited about today. I'm up in freehold. My niece and her husband's house were only watching it in their movie theater. They have here in their house. Nice. Nice. Yeah, I finally get to catch a sporting event. Dom, I'm super stoked to see what Crawford, Mr. Painter, you can say I'm probably a word bubble wrapped on, but it's go time. And I'm just so excited for Crawford. Now I'm gonna see what Garcia has. It's got to be upgraded from Castiano. It's got to be especially his defense. Because if I'm not mistaken, he did win a gold glove. Didn't he, Garcia? I don't know. Is that accurate or not, Cass? Gold glove? No. He's a gold glove.

14:16Yes, he's a gold glove level. Yeah. You might have won one. I'll double check. It'll be interesting to see how he plays against his old team. Did it, this is a series. That's right. We haven't talked about that. Let's pick it up, brother Rubar. We're going to get to see Mr. Ranger in this series. He did win a gold glove in 2023. Mr. Ranger Swars is with Boston. Are you saying Mr. Ranger Swars or Mr. Texas Ranger? I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm thinking you put Texas, my fault, my fault. But I'm just, you thought he saw you with Texas. I got you. Yes, I'm just super stoked. And everybody starts at zero, zero, of course. And I'm just, I'm just raring to go. Yeah, no, Scott. It's a great thing. I give me an answer, my man. On this, the start of the Philly season, a start to a movie. Best ever is which one? I was, I forget what I had. I forget what I had had. A lot of people took my stand. But I think, I think I might be thinking of the Matrix, believe it makes me 99. We got you, my man. I'm a man.

15:16That was really amazing. Great opening. Yeah, I don't know if you remembered it or not, but it really is great. I remember everyone in the, in the theater being on the edge of their seat, clapping, some people standing, rejoicing when it was Trinity, we started running along the walls. I got to watch it. Oh, yeah. When agent Smith comes out, he's like, officer, your, sir, your officers are already dead. It's like chilling. When they started defying physics, it was just mind blowing. Wow, wow. All right, opening day. So James, you heard me earlier on a couple of different categories, most intriguing Crawford Painter and Garcia. Tell me, James, if this statement is correct, I'm making very statements. Tell me if this one's correct. The most important Philly that we barely ever talk about is new set up man, Brad Keller, true or false? Yeah. I think in terms of, I mean, we talk about everyone offensively, so it's not going to be anyone of those guys.

16:17I think Keller's a great call. He is, he is their best reliever, not named Joanderan, you know, a, you know, which by the way, which by the way, James, for the playoffs is of mind, you mental importance. Yeah. And I'm not, I'm not minimizing the regular season. But I mean, when a picture, we guys, we've seen enough playoffs now, whether it's last four years, you go back a decade ago, Ruben, your group. Like when a picture comes in, whether it's the start of an inning or a dirty inning in the seventh or eighth inning of a playoff game, I mean, that is, that is nerve frickin' racking for millions of us, but there's one guy, James, and has the ball. And it's going to be Brad Keller in some massive spots. Totally. Yeah. Every, like him and Alvarado will be the, whether it's lefties coming up or righties coming up, they'll be the guys like they're your eighth inning pitchers depending on the situation or seventh eighth. Have you want to look at it? Keller. He's one of your three most important relievers. He's massive for this team. Ruben, you guys might not have an 0-8 won the World Series if not for Ryan Massive. Yeah, Matt's in a JC Romero.

17:19Yeah. When those guys, you know, the bridge to Lidz, they, they did it. You might not have made a playoff about them. I mean, it's a very... Romero pitched every day. If you think about where the, some of the issues for the, in the last few playoffs, yes, you can talk about the offense all you want, but the reality of it is the breakdown was in the bullpen, and some of the guys who now have signed major contracts were part of the breakdown. Jeff Hoppen was one of them. Well, given up, Jeff Hoppen. Given up that home or last year, that was a bananas game. You know, you guys couldn't throw a strike. I mean, it was, it's a different element, man. That ball gets heavy. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. What if comparing car insurance rates was as easy as putting on your favorite podcast? With Progressive, it is. Just visit the Progressive website to quote with all the coverages you want. You'll see Progressive's direct rate, then their tool will provide options from other companies so you can compare. All you need to do is choose the rate and coverage you like. Vote today at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive.

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