Traditions Renewed As Phillies Fans Flock To Ballpark For Home Opener
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Win or lose, it was a day for optimism at Citizens Bank Park, as the Phillies opened their home season.
Baseball is back, and for diehard fans, it's a new beginning amid the ceremonies and pageantry that accompany the first home game of the season. For some fans, it's like a holiday.
"There's always hope on Opening Day," said Aaron Spriggs of Pottstown. "It's always good to come out here to see the team, see what they've got. It's always great. It's like Christmas, but better."
Spriggs calls this day a tradition.
"It is," Aaron said. "Actually, the guy right there, Jeff and I -- we've been doing this since -- Jimmy Rollins' first game was my first Opening Day."
That would have been 15 Opening Days -- and many memories ago.
"I have been to every Phillies home opener since 1992," said Jeff Ziegler of Downingtown. "I have been to every Phillies home opener since 1992."
So he's seen the good and the bad.
"Mostly bad," Jeff said. But yeah, I've seen them both."
Jeff says this year, though, feels different -- with the Phillies young talent emerging.
"The last several years have been tough with the team playing out the string and trying to hold onto guys from 2008, 2009, 2010 who probably should have gone," he said. "But again, this is a new day."
With a new season and new hope for Phillies fans.