October 30th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
I received lots of nice notes from readers after my piece about the old Ballantine Beer scoreboard at Connie Mack. Here’s a few of them…
I loved your story today. As a batboy for the Reading Phillies in the early 1960’s I had the opportunity to batboy for a game they played at Connie Mack around 1966. We had to change in a school across the street as the Phillies played after us and there wasn’t room in the locker-room for us. The first thing I did after getting on the field and dreaming of what it would be like to actually be a major leaguer was to grab a fungo bat and a bag of balls. I started out at 2nd base and proceeded to try to hit one over the clock atop the scoreboard. I wasn’t even close so I proceeded to move into center field until I finally got one over the scoreboard from about 100 feet from the wall. The neighbors must of wondered who was taking batting practice and hitting so many into the street. I probably needed 25 swings to accomplish my task and I proudly share it with my children and anybody else who cares to listen.
PS I never made it as a player but I am a proud fan. You can take the boy out of Philly but you can’t take Philly out of the boy. Go Phillies!
-Jeff Brok
Do you remember the old Ballantine TV commercials? Rich Ashburn, Del Ennis, Bill Campbell, and Curt Simmons were playing ball at Connie Mack Stadium. immons would pitch and Ashburn/Ennis would battle for hits.
Another set was when they sang the Ballantine jingle with Paul Richardson at the organ:
“Hey, get your cold beer! Get your cold brewed Ballantine Beer!
Taste a beer that’s crisp and icily light;
Cold-brewed taste that’s precisely right;
The crisp refresher;
Cold-brewed Ballantine Beer!“
Thanks for the memories.
-Doug Seamans
I was there and saw Wes “Bondbread salesman” Covington stroke one over the top, as did Carl Swatski and I think Clay Dalrymple as well. Allen hit one to the left on the scoreboard and several over the 447-sign batting cage storage area, just ask him. The biggest shot I ever personally witnessed was Frank Howard’s titanic shot between the light standards above the Alpo sign in left center.
Lawrence “Larry” Levin
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October 30th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
- Stoudt’s Scarlet Lady @ Devil’s Den (South Philly) Mischief Night with the Ladies, tonight.
- Framboise ‘03 @ The Brew Works (Bethlehem), limited supply now on tap.
- Philadelphia Philsner @ Gen. Lafayette Inn & Brewery, throughout the World Series, every day.
- Harpoon Leviation Saison IPA @ The Grey Lodge (Mayfair), Monday (11/2), all day.
- Edmund Fitzgerald Porter @ For Pete’s Sake (South Philly) Great Lakes night, Thursday (11/5), 6-10 p.m.
- Baltic Thunder @ Chifa (Center City) Victory Brewing dinner, Thursday (11/5), 7 p.m. $55.
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October 28th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Not the best photo, but that’s the old Ballantine scoreboard in the background at Connie Mack Stadium. Did you know that the Phils actually bought it used from the Yankees?
Today’s column is a walk down memory lane.
Go Phils!
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October 28th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
The Inquirer let me rant a bit this morning. You can read it here.
Or just use this as your wallpaper
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October 16th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
- Longfin Lager @ Blue Dog (Chalfont, Buxco) Blue Point tasting, today.
- Sly Fox Palisades Parkway Pale Ale @ Spinnerstown Hotel (Spinnerstown, Buxco) East Coast Firkin Fest, Saturday (10/17), noon-5 p.m.
- Schwarzbier (GABF medalist) @ Iron Hill Brewery (Phoenixville, Chesco) Oktoberfest, Sunday (10/18), 2 p.m.
- Elysian Night Owl @ South Philly Tap Room (South Philly) Elysian Great Pumpkin Beer Festival, Sunday (10/18), 4 p.m.
- Spezial Rauchbier (firkin) @ Memphis Taproom (Port Richmond) Franconian rare beers tasting, Sat-Sun, (10/17-18), all day.
- Palo Santo @ Brother Paul’s (Eagleville, Montco) Dogfish Head dinner, 6:30 p.m. Thursday (10/22), $45.
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October 2nd, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Founders Wheat Wine @ Blue Dog (Chalfont) Founders tasting, today.
Flying Fish Oktoberfish @ The Iron Abbey (Horsham) Oktoberfest, nightly specials all week.
Franziskaner Weisse @ Time (Center City) during Midtown Village Fall Festival; stop in at Fergie’s, Apothecary, Raw & McGillin’s Old Ale House for more. Saturday (10/3), noon - 8 p.m.
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale @ The Institute (Spring Garden) Charlie’s Pumpkin Patch with a dozen other pumpkins, Saturday (10/3).
Sixpoint Righteous Rye @ The Khyber (Old City) Night of Ryes, Wednesday (10/7), 5 p.m.
Troegs Java Stout firkin @ Standard Tap (Northern Liberties), Wednesday (10/7), 6 p.m.
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