Article: Red Sox Road Trip No. 9: Old Style and Cheesesteaks

[Steve Trefz]

After the All-Star break, the Red Sox head west to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, then back east to the un-friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park.

Chicago Cubs - July 18-20
Wrigley Field - Capacity 41,649
2024 Attendance: 2,909,755 (Averaged 35,922, fifth in NL, sixth overall)

The Red Sox clubbed their way through Wrigley Field in the heat of July 2023, scoring 19 runs in two victories, but dropping the middle game by serving up 10 runs. Boston has only made four road trips to Wrigley since 2005, and they've split the results 50-50 at six wins apiece. Two iconic teams with two iconic venues. This is why the new balanced interleague schedule exists, and Red Sox fans need to find a way to make their way to Chicago for one of these series in the coming years.

Wrigley Field opened in 1914. That’s right, 110 years ago! The ivy has scaled the outfield wall since 1937 and modern expansions and lights brought the ballpark closer towards the twenty-first century in 1988. The jewel-box charm remains, and the neighborhood continues to offer one of the most “baseball” experiences in all of baseball. You can smell remnants of Old Style spills from decades past, and experience elbow-to-elbow seating that adds to the ambiance. How can you find fault with a stadium where home runs can literally leave the ballpark, brick walls can be run into, and people on rooftops can pay more for their tickets than people behind home plate?

The Cubs themselves have grown from their lovable losers vibe, finally reversing the curse and winning a World Series in 2016. The most recent iterations have flirted with success, but ultimately couldn’t escape the rebuild cycle that follows such a formidable championship run. Hopefully, the Red Sox can keep the Cubs rebuilding for at least one more season with a strong showing in Chicago before they head back east to face the Phillies.

Philadelphia Phillies - July 21-23
Citizens Bank Park - Capacity 42,901
2024 Attendance: 3,363,712 (Averaged 41,527, second in NL, third overall)

When Boston invaded Philadelphia in May 2023, the Red Sox took the Phillies by surprise and took the first two games of the series as well, with some close victories. Boston dropped the finale thanks to a gem by Taijuan Walker.  Because of their Eastern Division connections, the Red Sox have actually been traveling to Philadelphia since 2005 for an almost annual road series. The results have traditionally gone Boston's way, as they are 26-14 in that span. If you can stomach the Philly fans, that makes this trip one of the year's best locks for witnessing a Red Sox victory on the road.

I was surprised to discover that the Phillies have lost more games than any other American sports franchise. I only seem to remember the captivating squads of the 90s, and the World Series teams of recent history. However, the giant former home of the Phillies, Veterans Stadium, often saw nothing but epic disappointment. At 67,000, Veterans Stadium had the capacity for greatness, and the vibe of concrete sterility. In 2004, the team began a new chapter with the more intimate and contemporary Citizens Bank Park.

The seating at Citizens Bank is described as “sitting over the field,” and the unique wind tunnel alleyways and small left- and right-field corners set the stage for home runs and excitement. Opposing fans can get up close and personal with the visitor’s bullpen in left-center field, or just hang out and listen to the Phillies fans give them grief. Of all of the stadiums that I researched, this one seems to be the least hospitable to away team jerseys and presence in general. Attenders beware!

The ballpark also seems to be set up for prime standing room only options, and its main food vendors exist in the open outfield concourse. There’s a kid’s wiffle-ball field in right-field, and a Wall of Fame in left. And of course, keep your head on a swivel unless you want to get accosted by the Phillie Phanatic.

Philadelphia itself oozes history and tourist destinations. It's home to American democracy and government, and the origins of the great cheesesteak. You can pretend you are Rocky as you run the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or just sit there and watch other people exhaust themselves trying. 

After this road trip the Red Sox return home for the first time in almost two weeks for a quick three game series against the daunting Dodgers. It's a rough way to start the second half of the season, but if you want be the best you have to beat the best. So do you think the Red Sox will return from this road trip looking their best? Or will the middle of July be more of a bust?

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