How I almost missed history
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: Sports
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Seeking a little relief from the unbearable weather, Brett Fischer and I decided to head to the heated bathroom behind our section, while the grounds crew began to spread Diamond Dry all over the soaked field at Citizens Bank Park.
Little did I know it could've been one of the worst decisions I'd ever make - and something I could've regretted for the rest of my life.
My ticket, which read section 305, row 3, seat 11, was located in a plastic bag with my program. I had left it because my initial thought was that I was going to be back right after a brief visit to the bathroom.
However, the game was delayed, and we stayed in the bathroom for an hour so that we wouldn't freeze to death.
After the game was officially suspended, I realized that my bag was still under my seat and I'd need it to get in when the game resumed.
Unfortunately, when I went to grab it, the bag was gone. My dream of seeing a World Series clinching game was stolen and seemed all but over. Brett even did a thorough search in the surrounding seating area but the writing was all but on the wall.
When we went to guest services to try to resolve the issue, we found that approximately one hundred other fans were facing a similar situation.
But the Phillies ticket office sent all of the irate fans home, despite being met with heavy opposition.
Some fans were even escorted out by the police as an all-out fracas nearly ensued.
That night, I went to bed not knowing if I'd be back for potentially the final three-and-a-half innings.
My worst fears were realized. Would I really be watching this game at some bar knowing that someone else was reveling in my potential glory?
Fortunately, due to the fact that the tickets were ordered on Brett's credit card, we still had the account number.
Thank goodness.
The Phillies announced that they would handle issues of lost tickets on a case-by-case basis. And after pleading mine, the team decided it would issue a replacement ticket.
Before the conclusion of Game 5 we went to the ticket office and picked up the re-printed stub.
I felt a sigh of relief as I entered in the first base gate and scanned my ticket before I walked through the turnstile.
I was back.
I had my new ticket, bought a new program, and had a sense that the Phillies would break Philadelphia's 25-year championship drought.
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