Phillies on Parade

As the horse-drawn Budweiser wagon moves along Broad Street at Washington Avenue, someone asks lifelong Phillies fan Bob Taylor: Who’s that passenger waving from the bench?

“Nobody,” Taylor deadpans.

Taylor finally admits it’s Pat Burrell.

But today all is forgiven.

Taylor, 54, cut out of his job dealing cards in Atlantic City early, and drove an hour to get to this moment.

He’s been following the Phils since Connie Mack stadium, back when he said a ticket cost a nickel and admission 25 cents. “And those were the good seats,” he says.

Taylor predicts the next parade won’t take 25 years.

“They’re keeping all the tools in the shed,” he says, nodding his head.

“Pat-the-Bat is the only one who isn’t signed. Once he does, I think they will repeat.”

********

Decked in red-and-white, Keith Smith, 46, and his 11-year-old son, Keith, Jr. trekked seven miles on Broad Street from North Philly to South to witness history.

But first: two sodas from a nearby gas station.

“It’s like really fun and everything because it’s like the first championship in 25 years, and it’s the first I get to see,” said Keith, Jr, 11, wearing a “From Cursed to First,” T-shirt, and flashing a toothy grin.

Dad echoed the sentiment.

“It’s priceless,” Smith said. “It’s good for the city. But it’s does nothing for the Eagles.”

“He’s a Cowboys fan,” said junior, outting his father.

But when it comes to baseball, the two have cheered for the Phillies, and attended a handful of games. Keith Jr.’s favorite player is Ryan Howard.

For Keith, Jr. especially the parade is a source of pride. His little league team, where he plays pitcher and first base, lost in the championship game in overtime. “But I didn’t blow a save
Bruntlett,” he said.

After the parade, father and son will walk another three miles to the stadium, to which Keith, Jr. shouts: “Thank you!”