PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Last year, a faction of rousing Phillies fans gained notoriety for standing outside Citizens Bank Park and cheering on their beloved team from a distance. Several yards stood between them and the empty blue seats at the ballpark, but that didn’t stop them from listening to the game and peaking over the gate.
The group, known as the Phandemic Krew, was there for home and road games, often heard in the background of radio and TV broadcasts.
But this season, they’re retiring their makeshift plaudits — and bringing their hurrahs inside the ballpark, where they belong.
“The ladder and airhorns, we put those things in the closet,” said co-founder Oscar Alvarado. “That’s something in the past.”
The Phillies said they are thrilled to welcome the Phandemic Krew “on the other side of the Citizens Bank Park gates this season. Their loyalty during unprecedented times last year is truly symbolic of what makes Philadelphia sports fans so great. They have become part of the Phamily and we are glad to welcome them home.”
According to Alvarado and co-founder Brett MacMinn, the temporary plan is to sit in section 245 at the corner of the scoreboard porch, closest to Ashburn Alley. Then, whenever the Phils are allowed to increase capacity and open more seating, they’ll move to 301 — the third deck in right field, closest to the home run Liberty Bell.
“They said, ‘We want you in 301 because when the Phillies are in the World Series and somebody hits a homer and they pan up to the bell, they’ll see all you guys,’ ” MacMinn said.
As much as they were a part of their persona, the airhorns and ladders that made them known are gone. So, what will be their new thing?
“Our thing this year is getting on the ground floor,” MacMinn said. “We’re gonna build this into something bigger and we wanna make sure that as many people can say, ‘I was there when it started.’ ”
Related
Alvarado said fans who didn’t join them outside the gates in 2020 will notice the energy they bring during a ballgame.
“I can see that section where it’s like we’re never sitting down,” he said. “It’s gonna be full support, no matter what — even if the Phils get blown out, guess what? The Phandemic Krew’s still gonna be in that section until the last out.”
Both diehard Phillies fans are optimistic about this season and look forward to being in the ballpark to cheer on their team. They relish being able to see the entire field again, not just the infield.
The group has been sharing on social media how other fans can try to sit with them in their section. They want to build up the Krew to the point where it’s big enough to travel as a group to other ballparks in the future.
MacMinn said they will likely sit outside Citizens Bank Park during road games this season — as long as Phils broadcasters are at the ballpark and those TVs are on, they’ll be there, Alvarado added.
MacMinn emphasized that the Krew is not some exclusive club. Anybody can join — under two conditions.
“People always ask, ‘Well, how do you join the Krew?’ ” he said. “Support the Phillies, don’t be a jerk. You’re in the Krew.”
All season long, stream Phillies games live on the Audacy app.