Fans gave Pence 'chills'
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Fans gave Pence 'chills'
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The best way Hunter Pence could summarize his first day in Philadelphia was with two words.
"Thank you," he said.
Pence was humbled by the ovations from the 181st straight sellout at Citizens Bank Park; ovations that began during batting practice, continued when he stretched minutes before game time and all the way until the ninth inning when the right fielder saluted the crowd one final time.
Phillies fans are smitten.
"The fans were giving me chills," Pence said. "I mean, I ran out to stretch and they went nuts. It was pretty amazing."
Twenty-four hours took Pence from right field at Miller Park to three different airports and a new fortune. The closest he's ever been to the postseason was 2008, when Houston finished in third place (11 games back) in the National League Central.
He has played on losing teams in an apathetic baseball city for his whole career. It's all he knows.
"I can't even begin to explain it," Pence said of the reaction. "It's surreal. I'm absolutely ecstatic to be here. To see that support, for my first game, it's awesome. Thank you. It's the only thing."
Now one day in a Phillies uniform may have created unnecessary hype. Pence was 1 for 5 with a run-scoring single in the eighth. He is not a superstar by any means. He's not even Jayson Werth (circa 2008-10) when he provided pop and walks matched by few corner outfielders.
In fact, since the beginning of 2008, Pence has the same OPS (.802) as Bobby Abreu. That's tied for 11th among all major-league right fielders.
But he brings stability to a Phillies lineup that lacked a righthanded presence. And for that, Pence is rewarded with a shot at the postseason. He plopped his Astros duffel bag in the empty locker next to his new one in Citizens Bank Park, emptied the contents, and started anew.
That bag will probably disappear come Sunday morning.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for easy access to all of our Phillies coverage, plus app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.
Pence already gets it that he is in a great place. Welcome Hunter.— shawnmac
Apparently, Ryan Howard has responded well to Pence's presence. It looked FAR more relaxed at the plate, last night.— pigday31- The fact that he balances the lineup is obvious but the thing that is not mentioned is that Hunter ,in this lineup, might just be a lot better than he was in Houston. Here he is just one factor in a solid lineup as opposed to being the Man in Houston. He might just flower even more by not having the pressure of having to pull everyone else along. Here he will have protection too. He is in his prime and never played on a contender. It sure will be fun to watch.
— DUDESKINS - and his high stockings are a welcome sight
— righty - Wow, those Philadelphia fans sure are the worst in sports, huh?
- @ righty... Amen!
Getting real sick of so many pajama pants in baseball, that seeing a player wearing high stockings & (gasp) stirrups makes them actually look like baseball players!!
Welcome to baseball heaven, Hunter. You'll fit right in!— JTH - Philly fans appreciate players and management that try hard and do what's right. I hope the new Sixer owners look at the flyers, phils and iggs for an example on how to run a franchise.— maximus
- Somebody should snag Pence's old Astros duffel bag. Get Hunter to sign it. Sell it on Ebay.— road515
- This will be over time a great trade for the Phils. The future starts next year. we got a lot younger with a couple of moves and the pitching is almost (HERE THAT COLE) all locked up for a few more years. What a great time to be a Phillie Phan!!!!!
— Trot - Hunter Pence is a Chase Utley type player...plays real hard every minute and hits 25 home runs and 100 rbi's...plus he is hitting .307
The Phillies fans will love him.
— frank105 
Comment removed.- Glad to see the fans are realizing whats really important...how a player wears his uniform. Somehow I think his run production and good defense are more critical,but that's me. If only Dom Brown had realized all it took to win over the fans was a change to his socks...— Phils Phan 28
- @miximus...great point...the support will be there if the organizations care...winning helps too. Pence will find that Philadelphia fans are passionate and knowledgeable..it can go the other way, but if the effort is there, they'll recognize and really respond— bearsfriend
- OK...why do these writers keep going out of their way to say that Pence is "not a superstar by any means". I guess I don't understand what makes a superstar. Allstar--check. Hitting over .300--check. Consistant production over multiple years--check. He may not be a 'superstar' I don't know but why go out of your way to state that he isn't? It'd be like me stating in every comment that I post that Matt Gelb is not a genius...— DrTickTock
- bourn to the Braves..is there anyone left in Houston to trade?— jeff gross
