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.
Tuesday night, those fans got something they haven’t seen since 2019: postseason baseball. The Reading Fightin Phils entered the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
“It’s been seven years, and it was a long seven years,” said season ticket holder Maryann Jagielski.
It was an exciting day in Baseballtown.
“It’s about time they get in,” said season ticket holder Steve Madl.
After six seasons, and their last outright championship win back in 1995, fans are excited to see the R-Phils take the field.
“They’ve got Ford, the top prospect here this year, so it’s looking good,” Madl said.
Fans like Francis “Ducky” Turner, a former stadium commissioner and longtime R-Phils fan, are hopeful.
“We got a pretty good team here. We might have a shot of it,” Turner said.
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,” Turner said.
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,” Jagielski said.
Fans like Michael Wenz and Lucas Daniels said they try to watch every R-Phils game from the stands.
“I’m excited to see Gage Wood,” Daniels said. “I hope he does great tonight.”
“I’m very, very excited,” Wenz said. “I’m excited to see what can happen. I’m excited to see how far we can go and what we can do.”