The Phillies held their annual Phestival yesterday to raise money for the search in finding a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Players, their wives, broadcasters and Phillies staff were on hand to sign autographs, play games for prizes with the fans and auction off items for the charity.  The Phillies Wives sold grab bags for $20 each which contained a variety of goodies; I wound up with a PILE of fun stuff including a Chase Utley signed hat, given out by Mrs. Utley herself, a Phanatic bobblehead, a few signed balls, a yearbook and other cool items.  In addition, I had some of my photos signed by the players to add to my collection.

Cole Hamels wins my Photo of The Day award.  He was gracious enough to pose for me, as were many others. 

Check out my PHOTO ALBUM from the day to see more! 

The player in highest demand yesterday was none other than RAUUUUUUL Ibanez!  And Ryan Howard was absent from the event due to his recent illness, which has been termed “acute sinusitis.”  While some fans were disappointed to miss out on a rare Howard autograph, most were more concerned for his health and wished him well.  Howard did not travel with the team last night to Florida, but he may fly in before the game tonight.  It will depend on how he is feeling.

Overall, the Phestival was a huge success.  The money raised surpassed any previous year’s total with $867,670 going to the ALS cause.  And as you may imagine, with a World Championship last year, more and more fans were interested in attending.  It was crowded as usual, but ran very smoothly, in slight contrast to the previous year, which was a little more hectic.  The only real criticism I have is that the Phillies need to put a limit on the number of tickets each person can buy.  I saw several people in line to exchange autograph tickets before the gates opened who had stacks of tickets 3 inches high.  2 people told me they had bought 75 tickets and 80 tickets, respectively!  So, it is no wonder that many fans this week were complaining about not being able to get autograph tickets…a few greedy people bought them all!

What really burns me up about this is not only that they took away opportunities for more fans to support the charity, but that these people who hoard the autograph tickets are only doing so to make money.  They get bunches of autographs and then sell them on E-bay, depriving REAL fans of their chance to meet a few players and get some souvenirs.  This year, The Phillies did finally limit the number of tickets you could exchange at the ticket window to 1 per player signing station, which helped.  But, they really need to limit the number of tickets sold to one person when they go on sale.  5,500 people showed up, but how many more would have if the tickets were spread out amongst more people?  More people = more money for the charity.  Maybe next year, they will rethink that part of it.

In other news, Clay Condrey has been placed on the 15-day DL to punch another hole in our already beleaguered bullpen.  Condrey has an oblique strain, which may account for his recent struggles.  Sergio Escalona will be called up again to take his spot.  Condrey was at the Phestival though, signing for the fans, even though he appeared to be just a little bummed out.  I wish him a speedy recovery!

So, be sure to check out my PHOTO ALBUM from the Phestival and, in case you missed it yesterday, here is the PHOTO ALBUM from Sunday’s game against the O’s.

Your daily reminder:  Be sure to elect the Phillies to the All-Star game!  VOTE up to 25 times per day, per email address! 

Photos by Jenn

 

*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*