Post by Fish Troll on Mar 30, 2007 15:14:42 GMT -5
Phanatic sculls on the Schuylkill
Mascot takes to water after ceremony on Boathouse Row
By Joseph Santoliquito / Special to MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- One of the most scenic views of any city anywhere in the country is Philadelphia's Boathouse Row. Drive east on Interstate 76 and the lights outlining each of the rowboat houses grabs your attention for a moment. Anyone driving down I-76 over the next three days around the early evening will be seeing red down Boathouse Row -- Phillies red -- thanks in part to the Phillies Paint the Town Red Week.
The Phanatic was on hand Thursday evening to christen a new boat, the "Phillie Phanatic," for the Vesper Club, one of the most celebrated rowing clubs in the country. The Phanatic got to pour champagne on the new boat, then road on a launch as the Vesper elite eight Olympic development crew took the first trip up and down the Schuylkill River on the Phillie Phanatic.
"This was really cool, something special for the Phanatic, since he is a rare, flightless bird from the Galapagos Islands, surrounded by water," said Tom Burgoyne, the Phanatic's best friend. "The Phanatic really loved it -- to be on the water in his favorite city really moved the Phanatic to tears. Naming a boat is something for kings, queens and presidents, and now the Phanatic gets honored."
It was the first time the event was held during Paint the Town Red Week. But by the reaction of how things went, it probably will be part of Paint the Town Red Week again.
"This was very special," said Mike Harris, the Phillies' director of marketing and special projects. "Out of all the things we've done this past week, this was the coolest event we've had on the fun scale. We've done some really important things, some special things this week, like the smoke alarms and the blood drive, bringing attention to special causes. It was nice to wrap up the week on a light-hearted note. We're very proud about what we accomplished this week."
The Vesper Club has a very strong tradition in rowing. It's a club that came into existence in 1865 and won Olympic gold in 1900, '04, '20 and '64. Close to 100 people gathered Thursday to witness the naming of the Phillie Phanatic, including John Kelly, president of the Vesper Club, grandson of the famous Olympic rower Jack Kelly and nephew of Hollywood legend Grace Kelly.
"This was a great event, linking together two great Philadelphia traditions, the Phillies and rowing," Kelly said. "The Vesper boathouse completed a new renovation in 2002 and we have one of the best views of the city from here. The city did a great job the lighting. We couldn't bet happier to be working with the Phillies."
Michiel Bartman, the coach of the Vesper crew and three-time Olympian for the Netherlands, liked the connection between rowing and baseball, especially the Phillies.
"Boathouse Row is a part of Philadelphia, just like the Phillies," Bartman said. "When this was first brought to my attention, connecting baseball with rowing, I liked it. There is a connection there. Winning Olympic gold is like winning the World Series."
Of course, the Phanatic stole the show. He took a team picture with the Vesper crew, then feigned fear about getting onto the water. But coaxed along by his friend Burgoyne, who once rowed crew for Philadelphia high school powerhouse St. Joseph's Prep, the Phanatic took to the task like a, well, duck to water.
"The Phanatic doesn't like the water too much," Burgoyne said.
The exclamation point of the event came a few miles away, when the Sira Center, managed by the Brandywine Realty Trust, lit its building to show a blue background with a blue Phillies "P" in the center -- another fine picturesque view to bring about the end of Paint the Town Red Week.
The Phanatic pouring champagne in late-March could be foreshadowing for the Phillies this season.
Said Harris, "Hopefully, we'll see a lot more champagne poured in October."
Joseph Santoliquito is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Mascot takes to water after ceremony on Boathouse Row
By Joseph Santoliquito / Special to MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- One of the most scenic views of any city anywhere in the country is Philadelphia's Boathouse Row. Drive east on Interstate 76 and the lights outlining each of the rowboat houses grabs your attention for a moment. Anyone driving down I-76 over the next three days around the early evening will be seeing red down Boathouse Row -- Phillies red -- thanks in part to the Phillies Paint the Town Red Week.
The Phanatic was on hand Thursday evening to christen a new boat, the "Phillie Phanatic," for the Vesper Club, one of the most celebrated rowing clubs in the country. The Phanatic got to pour champagne on the new boat, then road on a launch as the Vesper elite eight Olympic development crew took the first trip up and down the Schuylkill River on the Phillie Phanatic.
"This was really cool, something special for the Phanatic, since he is a rare, flightless bird from the Galapagos Islands, surrounded by water," said Tom Burgoyne, the Phanatic's best friend. "The Phanatic really loved it -- to be on the water in his favorite city really moved the Phanatic to tears. Naming a boat is something for kings, queens and presidents, and now the Phanatic gets honored."
It was the first time the event was held during Paint the Town Red Week. But by the reaction of how things went, it probably will be part of Paint the Town Red Week again.
"This was very special," said Mike Harris, the Phillies' director of marketing and special projects. "Out of all the things we've done this past week, this was the coolest event we've had on the fun scale. We've done some really important things, some special things this week, like the smoke alarms and the blood drive, bringing attention to special causes. It was nice to wrap up the week on a light-hearted note. We're very proud about what we accomplished this week."
The Vesper Club has a very strong tradition in rowing. It's a club that came into existence in 1865 and won Olympic gold in 1900, '04, '20 and '64. Close to 100 people gathered Thursday to witness the naming of the Phillie Phanatic, including John Kelly, president of the Vesper Club, grandson of the famous Olympic rower Jack Kelly and nephew of Hollywood legend Grace Kelly.
"This was a great event, linking together two great Philadelphia traditions, the Phillies and rowing," Kelly said. "The Vesper boathouse completed a new renovation in 2002 and we have one of the best views of the city from here. The city did a great job the lighting. We couldn't bet happier to be working with the Phillies."
Michiel Bartman, the coach of the Vesper crew and three-time Olympian for the Netherlands, liked the connection between rowing and baseball, especially the Phillies.
"Boathouse Row is a part of Philadelphia, just like the Phillies," Bartman said. "When this was first brought to my attention, connecting baseball with rowing, I liked it. There is a connection there. Winning Olympic gold is like winning the World Series."
Of course, the Phanatic stole the show. He took a team picture with the Vesper crew, then feigned fear about getting onto the water. But coaxed along by his friend Burgoyne, who once rowed crew for Philadelphia high school powerhouse St. Joseph's Prep, the Phanatic took to the task like a, well, duck to water.
"The Phanatic doesn't like the water too much," Burgoyne said.
The exclamation point of the event came a few miles away, when the Sira Center, managed by the Brandywine Realty Trust, lit its building to show a blue background with a blue Phillies "P" in the center -- another fine picturesque view to bring about the end of Paint the Town Red Week.
The Phanatic pouring champagne in late-March could be foreshadowing for the Phillies this season.
Said Harris, "Hopefully, we'll see a lot more champagne poured in October."
Joseph Santoliquito is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070330&content_id=1869446&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi
