A storied run ends with Broad Street parade

PERHAPS, like their mythical namesakes, the Dragons will become the stuff of legends, cited to children in bedtime stories and allegories, but even Cinderella tales have endings and yesterday the Taney Dragons story ended - not with a "happily ever after" but with a home run.

From their victory lap around the bases at Citizens Bank Park at last night's Phillies game to a parade through Center City beforehand, the Dragons ended their summer - and this city's - on a high note.

Mayor Nutter proclaimed Aug. 27 "Taney Dragons Day" in Philadelphia and announced that five ballparks around the city, including two in FDR Park, will be rehabbed by the Parks and Recreation Department before the 2015 baseball season.

"You are the pride of Philadelphia," he told the Dragons.

Taney Dragons Day started when the team took off on what appeared to be repurposed Mummers floats through Center City. Their first stop was at the Kimmel Center, where they were serenaded by the Philly POPS and cheered on by fans like Pat Brett.

Brett, 58, the owner of Doobies at 22nd and Lombard streets, said she had huge crowds in her bar whenever the Dragons were on TV.

"Regardless if they won or lost, we need to celebrate what they accomplished because no matter what, they still accomplished a lot of firsts," she said.

The parade made its second stop on Broad Street at Washington Avenue, where the Mummers serenaded the Dragons and paradegoers for about 30 minutes.

Eliezer Beauchamp, an assistant coach with the Anderson Monarchs, said the best thing about the whole experience for the Dragons is the lasting memories the players will have.

"Twenty years from now, those kids will get together with the kids they played [against]," he said. "They'll never forget that. . . . To be able to go and enjoy . . . 32,000 people look at them - that's more people than they've ever been in front of, and more than they may ever be in front of again."

The parade ended at FDR Park, where each child was presented with a city proclamation, a city flag and a framed copy of their team on the front pages of the Daily News and Inquirer.

Throughout the parade, the rally and the entire day, Carey Davis, mother to player Carter Davis, carried a large sign that read simply: "Thanks for your support."

Davis said she just wanted to show how grateful the families are to the city and the fans.

"It's a simple way," she said, "but it conveyed a message."

After the rally, the team was brought to Citizens Bank Park, where the red carpet was rolled out on the field, Phillies players greeted the kids and a video highlight of their run was shown on the big screen.

Modell's, which donated all of the proceeds from its sale of Taney Dragons gear to the team, presented Taney Baseball with a check for $35,400.

The Dragons then took a victory lap around the field, which they all agreed was "exhausting," before all 12 players threw out the ceremonial first pitch, together, to 12 Phillies players.

Jahli Hendricks threw his pitch to A.J. Burnett.

"I threw a strike, too," he smiled.

Mo'ne Davis threw her ball to Jonathan Papelbon, who told her she had talent. He wrote this message on the ball: "Stay focused and humble. God bless."

After all was said and done, as coach Alex Rice made his way through the halls of the park, he was referred to by major league fans and staffers alike simply as "coach."

"Congratulations, coach," the elevator operator said to him. "Great job."

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