Momentary Somber Note Leads Off Phillies' Home Opener
By Mike DeNardo and Jericka Duncan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies honored the two fallen firefighters with a moment of silence before Monday's home opener.
And then they began playing baseball.
The home opener always brings a promise of optimism (see previous story) -- and in the case of Phillies' fans, a renewal of the championship quest that many say ended prematurely last year.
Brittany Lopatin of Pennsville, New Jersey says that despite the Phillies' slow start in Pittsburgh, she thinks her Phillies will turn it around.
"I'm confident they'll be okay," she tells KYW Newsradio. "Because it's been a while, you're just getting back into the season. The weather isn't warm. It's cold here, so that's going to change things a little bit. Once they get back into the groove of things and get the Philly fans behind them, they'll be good."
Britney says she marks the home opener on her calendar every year, and she says it's tradition to go to every one she can.
From bands playing to dancers entertaining, there was a lot of excitement on opening day.
"We live overseas," said Allison Stack of Scottland. She brought her two children, ages five and seven, to the game.
By innings five, six and seven, it became clear the day may not end on a good note.
But these aren't fair weather fans, their Phillies fans who stand by their team no matter which way the wind blows.
"Opening day is supposed to be the promise of a new season but there is always tomorrow," said Mick Moninghoff.
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