READING, Pa. – It’s been seven years without a playoff game. But Reading fans never stopped believing.
The team drew nearly 380,000 fans this season.
And Tuesday night, those fans are getting something they haven’t seen since 2019: postseason baseball.
“It’s been seven years, and it was a long seven years,” said season ticket holder Maryann Jagielski.
It’s an exciting day in Baseballtown.
“It’s about time they get in,” said season ticket holder Steve Madl.
The Reading Fightin Phils are entering the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
After six seasons, and their last outright championship win back in 1995, fans are excited to see them take the field.
“They’ve got Ford, the top prospect here this year, so it’s looking good,” said Madl.
Especially fans like Francis “Ducky” Turner, a former Stadium Commissioner and longtime R-Phils fan.
“We got a pretty good team here, we might have a shot of it,” said Ducky.
Even at 92 years old, he’ll be standing in section 6 like always, watching his favorite team.
“I think we’re very fortunate that this area, that the people that are involved just, just love the Reading Phillies,” said Ducky.
And even after seven years of waiting, the Fightin Phils are still seeing strong attendance. Jagielski says it’s because of FirstEnergy Stadium’s perfect atmosphere.
“They cater to the younger generation; they cater to the kids. They make it fun for the kids. It’s a family day out,” said Jagielski.