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Phillies fans erupted into cheers at McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon Monday night when Chase Utley launched two home runs to tie Reggie Jackson at five for the most in one World Series. It was a heady moment that came on the heels of Yankee starter A.J. Burnett being taken out of Game 5 after pitching just two innings. Fans held their breath and waved their rally towels overhead as closer Ryan Madson tried to save the day — which he did — and take the series back to Yankee Stadium for a Phillies must-win Game 6, which started after press time.
"Next stop the Bronx," a Phils fan yelled as the subway departed Pattison Station, 3600 S. Broad St., on the Broad Street Line Monday night.
The focus earlier this week had shifted to what needed to happen rather than what had happened that put the team down 3-2 at press time.
"They need to concentrate themselves primarily with pitching. Their relief core is either tired or in need of some rejuvenation," Aaron Ufberg, of Wynnewood, said after Monday night’s victory. "Offensively, the Phillies could win the ball game."
"They got to get on top early, be confident, play like champs," Tim Johnson, of Clarion and Dickinson streets, added.
Even before the game started, fans were preparing for a return trip to the Bronx, where Games 1 and 2 were held. Passionate and ready to defend their Phils or Yanks to the death, the Series has been relatively quiet with each group of fans confident in their squads and happy to be able to hit the Series so close to their home stadiums.
Sending mix messages with his Yankees cap and Ryan Howard jersey, Milton Bugg, of Phoenix, Ariz., is actually a Cleveland Indians fan, but is sticking with the American League team this time out.
"I’m rooting for the Phillies tonight, but only to force a Game 6 or 7," he said prior to Game 5, adding his ride that night was from Phils fan and friend Chris Aszmus of Lancaster.
"He had a Yankees jersey and I told him I would not bring him in the stadium," Aszmus said of the $135 Howard jersey that was purchased just before the game.
Neighborhood children were able to go door-to-door Halloween before the rain set in, but the downpour delayed Game 3 by about 80 minutes. Fans who stuck it out were not in for a treat as the Phils fell to the Yankees, 8-5. No matter where they were, the loss stung and it was a chance for rival fans to get a dig in.
Regina Rahill and boyfriend Steve Miller attended the final Spectrum show in their Phillies gear only to learn they were seated next to Yankees fans.
"They were so rude to us," Rahill said as the two hung out at McFadden’s between switching places with Miller’s sister and brother-in-law every couple of innings to see Game 5.
The couple didn’t even realize they were near Yankee supporters until the guy next to her nudged her during the Pearl Jam concert to rub in that the Phillies were trailing in Game 3.
"He shows me the score on his BlackBerry," she said with a hint of shock and annoyance.
The following night, fans were in good spirits when the Eagles crushed division rival — and New York team — the Giants. Some attended both games and, even at Lincoln Financial Field, there were Yankees fans to contend with, Eagles season ticket-holder Cary Beavers said.
"An annoying amount," the Willow Grove resident said when asked how many New York jerseys were on hand. "Well, one would be an annoying amount."
Friend Tom Holtz predicted the World Series would head to seven games, hoping the Phillies’ hitters would be more patient at the plate.
"Don’t swing at all that garbage," the Northeast resident, who was tailgating between games, advised.
"Get to the ‘pen as soon as possible," Chris Cavalieri, of Old Forge, added. "Get the lead in the seventh to eighth inning, so it doesn’t get to [closer Mariano] Rivera."
Some tailgaters didn’t think Yankees fans should show up at the ballpark and, if they did, they should keep their true colors under cover.
"If I was a Yankees fan, I wouldn’t wear my gear," Phil McCrackin, of the Northeast, said.
"This is not good turf for the Yankees," Bob Johnson of Atlantic City, N.J., agreed.
Quite a few fans traveled from New York, but they were not concerned with being outnumbered inside the ballpark. Max and Sam Carroll, both of Manhattan, were at a few Yankee playoff games where the boys in blue pinstripes were victorious. The brothers were hoping to bring their team luck Monday — but it didn’t work.
"Cliff Lee is good," Max said of the Phillies southpaw starting pitcher. "I’ll give him his credit as much as it hurts. We’re a team of destiny. You see all those tied games we won, close games we won."
Even though Phillies fans we not giving the brothers any trouble at McFadden’s, they didn’t expect the chill mode to continue when they got into their seats.
"I’ll be upset if the Phillies fans don’t get at us," he said.
Longtime fans from Queens, Don and Ann Lee waited six years for the Yankees return to the Fall Classic. The season-ticket-holders attended the entire Series and have experienced some venom from Phils fans since their arrival Saturday night.
"It’s been a hostile crowd," Ann said.
"It goes with the territory when you’re in someone else’s house," Don added matter-of-factly.
Brothers-in-law Joey Basile and Kevin Conzelman, both of Long Island, made it to Game 4. Philly native Basile remained true to the Red, while Conzelman sported a Derek Jeter jersey.
"We have the confidence," Basile said of the Phillies. "We’re the underdog going in, but [the Yankees] know what we can do."
Conzelman was equally confident and wasn’t concerned with negative encounters with Phillies fans.
"They give him more crap because he’s with a Yankees fan," he said of Basile.
Meanwhile, legendary Yankees slugger Babe Ruth, donning pinstripes, wandered around outside Citizens Bank Park Sunday night talking to fans and posing for photos. Stan Osmolinski, of Wyoming, Mich,, was portraying Ruth and has been making public appearances for a decade through Detroit-based National Pastimes Sports. He was surprised by the Phillies fans, given their notorious reputations.
"Fans here have been pretty good — a lot better than I expected," he said.
