Who wasn’t at the Phillies game Tuesday night?
It was like a party down in South Philly, as a horde of former Phillies and celebrities popped into Citizens Bank Park to see the Philadelphia Phillies rout the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 3 of the World Series.
Throughout the telecast, Fox panned through the crowd of more than 47,000 fans to find a few notable names and faces in Phillies lore and others who couldn’t pass up chance to see the Phils play in the Fall Classic for the first time since 2009.
Coming a day later than scheduled, the game was postponed Monday after rain swept through the region. But that didn’t stop the Phillies faithful and getting loud Tuesday night.
Here’s a few that showed up, and their connection to the ballclub:
Where are they now?:The Phillies’ last World Series title was in 2008; where is that squad today?
When are the Phillies on?:Phillies World Series schedule: How to watch the Fightin’ Phils take on the Astros
Chase Utley, “The Man,” makes his return to America
The legendary former Phillies second baseman was seen enjoying the game from a box with former teammates after returning to the U.S. from England, where he lives with his family as he works as MLB’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Utley has the franchise lead with seven career World Series home runs, including five in the 2009 Fall Classic against the New York Yankees.
Ryan Howard, “The Big Piece,” welcomed back to CBP
Alongside Utley in the box was none other then “The Big Piece,” former first baseman Ryan Howard. At one point, Howard and Utley’s kids were seen on the Philllies’ dugout dancing with the Phillie Phanatic.
The slugger spent his entire MLB career with the Phils, playing from 2004 to 20016, and capturing the 2006 National League MVP. He hit .286 in the 2008 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, with six RBI, three home runs and three runs scored.
Home run derby:Bryce Harper leads record five-homer barrage as Phillies beat Astros in Game 3, take 2-1 World Series lead
WS Game 3:Bryce Harper sets tone again for Phillies vs. Astros with his blast in Game 3 of the World Series
Other 2008 World Series players, including Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth
Hamels, Victorino and Werth took part in the pregame festivities as they caught the first pitch from a group of legendary Philly athletes (more on them later).
Hamels, the 2008 World Series and NLCS MVP, played with the Phillies from 2006 to 2015 before being traded to the Texas Rangers in July of 2015.
Victorino, the center fielder nicknamed “The Flyin’ Hawaiian,” came up with several big hits for the Phils during their 2008 run and Werth batted .444 in the series’ five games and knocked a two-run dinger into the stands in Game 4.
Philly greats Mike Schmidt, Julius Erving, Bernie Parent and Brandon Graham
The game’s greatest third baseman Mike Schmidt, “The Doctor,” the Flyers’ two-time Stanley Cup winner and current Eagle and Super Bowl champ all threw out the first pitch before the game.
Schmidt played his entire career in Philly, hitting 548 home runs and earning 10 Gold Gloves. Erving, better known as “Dr. J,” helped lead the 76ers to their last NBA championship in 1983.
Parent, a member of the Broad Street Bullies, won the Conn Smythe for top goalie and Vezina trophy as playoff MVP in the team’s Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. Graham, the bird’s current starting defensive end, helped seal Super Bowl LII with a strip sack of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
From Tim McGraw to Kate Upton, there were plenty of celebrities in South Philly too
Country singers (and couple) Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were in attendance, with McGraw donning his father Tug McGraw’s famous No. 45 Phillies jersey. Tug, the great former reliever, recorded a six-out save that secured the franchise’s first World Series title in 1980.
The Gang goes to the Phillies game as “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” stars and couple Rob McIlhenny and Kaitlin Olson took in the game from a box at CBP. Known to admire his favorite Philly from afar (Chase Utley), McIlhenny is a Philadelphia native and longtime Phillies and Eagles fan.
It wasn’t all Phillies fans though, as model Kate Upton was seen waving to the camera as she was there to support husband and Astros starter Justin Verlander.
Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and other past Phillies joined their former teammates
Along with Utley and Howard, former shortstop Jimmy Rollins and catcher Carlos Ruiz were also in attendance Tuesday.
Rollins was the team’s table setter for much of his 15 years in pinstripes, including his 2007 MVP season. A longtime backstop, “Chooch” recorded the game-winning hit in Game 3 of the 2008 World Series.
Other notable former Phils to show up included outfielders Raul Ibanez, Domonic Brown and Ben Revere; pitchers Brad Lidge, J.C. Romero, Kyle Kendrick and Jake Arrieta; and 1993 NL Pennant-winner and second baseman Mickey Morandini.
How to watch:Thursday night dilemma? Will you watch Phillies, Eagles or both?
