Kids chased the Phillie Phanatic down the walkways. Dads reminisced about seasons past while getting autographs from members of 1950s Phillies teams. Women jostled for position in front of Darren Daulton's booth, a favorite spot for female shutterbugs.
Dressed in a white "Strikeout against ALS" T-shirt, Betty Marion worked a second concourse ticket window, handing out registration packets for the live auction. She had interrupted a two-week vacation at the Shore to come to this event for the third straight year. Last January, her husband died of ALS.
"It's wonderful that it's a fun night for everybody," Marion said. "It means so much for those of us who have needed the help."
Those such as Joe Fitzgerald, 66, an ALS patient for 12 years who wandered the stadium in a wheelchair, enjoying the night. Elsewhere, a brother of an ALS patient sold stuffed baseballs; a wife peddled ice cream bars.
The money from the Phillies fund-raiser has been used to finance an ALS clinic at Hahnemann University Hospital, to support ALS research, and to help
families of ALS patients. The total raised during the Phillies' five-year relationship with the ALS Association is nearly $1.3 million.
One man spent $65 getting 13 items autographed at one booth alone. Another acknowledged that he bought 25 of the $5 autograph tickets so that his three children could at least try to get autographs from all the 1991 Phillies, who were grouped three or four to a booth. Another straggled out of the stadium with seven grab bags and a stack of souvenirs.
"Hey, it's for charity," he said, grinning.
The only 1991 Phil missing was John Kruk, who was in West Virginia on personal business. He was missed, but the Dave Hollins-Jim Lindeman-Randy Ready trio easily carried his assigned window. Former Phillies slugger was there, signing for advance-ticket buyers only.
