We love a good theme for a post. This one is all about faces. Yes – faces. Your face, our face, Phanatic’s face…

Chase’s Face Is Your Face

Let us explain. It all starts with Anchorman, as most things do.

In honor of the highly anticipated film Anchorman 2 hitting theaters, we bring you one of our favorite quotes from the original, brought to you by the one and only Champ Kind, Channel 4 News Sports reporter:

“We need you. Hell, I need you. I’m a mess without ya. I miss you so damn much. I miss being with you. I miss being near you! I miss your laugh! I miss – I miss your scent. I miss your musk. When this all gets sorted out, I think you and me should get an apartment together.” – Champ Kind, king of “Whammy”

Champ perfectly describes, although in a slightly creepy way, how we’re feeling this time of year. We miss your face too. Yes, that’s right. We’re facing facts over here – pun intended. We really do. As we here at The Phillies prepare to break for the holidays, and see our own friends and family, we wanted you to know something: We miss seeing you at Citizens Bank Park watching the boys of summer play. (Real talk.) We are all so excited to ring in 2014 and get back to baseball — and hope you are too. (We also hope you miss our face too…?)

So, who is our face? Who is the Face of the Phillies and, for that matter, the Face of MLB? Howard, Utley, Rollins, Hamels, Lee?

Major League Baseball is asking fans across the league to nominate the player who best represents their club with each team being assigned a specific day for fan nominations. When each team has a nominee, they will face off in the Twitter voting spectrum, bracket style, until there is an overall Face of Major League Baseball.

Who better to choose the face of a team than the fans? And now we have our face, The Man — Chase Utley, chosen by Tweeps yesterday and announced this morning on MLB Network’s Hot Stove. Get ready to vote for him starting on January 21 when the bracket match-ups get underway. Stay up-to-date on the contest — here’s how.

Phanatic Face… and Voice?

Speaking of awesome things…have you seen “What’s the Phanatic Say” music video? It’s kind of amazing. You should watch it…over and over…for the rest of time.

Favorite parts? All of them. But seriously, what does he say??

Fa La La La La…Face (Sorry, stretching this theme a bit)

You thought we’d be this close to Christmas and not mention something holiday-related in a post? Ha, you were so wrong!

Just a little reminder that our Phillies #HolidayPhandom contest is going on now. Basically, we want to see you showing your Phillies spirit all year-long – well after baseball season wraps up. Pin your house all sparkly and decorated for the holidays using Phillies ornaments, Phanta Claus, overall Phillies spirit, etc., and then add some pins of items you have on your wish list from the phillies.com store. (They have some really cute stuff for women and kids and great stuff for guys, too!)

One Phinal Note: Only 5 days left for the Phillies 12 Days of Christmas! Don’t miss out on this weekend with Phanta Claus photos and Mickey Morandini autographs as well as deals on shopping, even last minute on Christmas Eve! Looking for an authentic autographed item? Look no further than the Phillies Authentics Garage Sale, also on Saturday, with game-worn jerseys including from last season’s 90’s Retro Night as well as bases, caps, banners and more!

So, until next time, Happy Holidays to you and yours! See you next week!

Feeling a little Grinch-like? Lights not twinkling for you? Santa and his reindeer not dashing in the slightest? You even think Santa hats are lame?! Sounds like someone needs help finding their holiday spirit.

If you’re trying to “get into” the holidays, try to remember that this time of year is about more than just getting presents and eating copious amounts of cookies. (Seriously, put down the milk for a second). No matter what holiday(s) you celebrate, there is one reason for the season we can all get behind: Giving to others with nothing expected in return. It just makes you feel good, right?

During the month of December, we here at the Phillies get in the spirit by hosting our “Season of Giving,” which involves some of the Phillies’ greatest accomplishments and takes place throughout the Delaware Valley and also right here at Citizens Bank Park.

We wanted to share five fun and easy ways you too can get in the holiday spirit, just like your Fightin’ Phils.

1. Give a Little Bit

Just this past Tuesday, now known as #GivingTuesday, the Phillies along with countless other global charities, families, businesses and fans just like you came together to celebrate a day for giving back. We all can make the world a better place simply by expressing generosity in any way we can. In honor of the day, the Phils, via our annual Phillies Holiday #WeekofGiving promotion on Twitter, got involved by donating nonperishable food items in one lucky fan’s name to Philabundance through the Preston & Steve Camp Out for Hunger initiative, being delivered today. Phanta Claus will bring the fans’ items, along with the Phillies’ and ARAMARK’s contribution, to drop off at the event. Remember, a simple act, no matter how small, really can go a long way, especially when we’re talking about friends and neighbors in our community. 

Didn’t know about #GivingTuesday? No worries. The beauty of this event is that you can celebrate all season long — or all year long. Like the song says, give a little bit… today!

2. Speaking of Stuffing Stockings for Soldiers

As Americans, we take pride in honoring and supporting our service men and women all year-round. The work they do is so important and we are truly thankful for them. Some of you know firsthand that being away from family and friends during the holiday season is tough, and that is especially true for members of the military. Because of this, we all can help provide comfort, care and support to the military through various ways. The Phillies took part through the Liberty USO’s  Operation Stocking Stuffers.

Just this past week, the Phillies and the Liberty USO held the final Operation Stocking Stuffers event in our very own clubhouse. (Santa’s workshop didn’t have anything on us!) It was a real Phanta Claus affair as the green guy, joined by Phillies Ballgirls and staff alongside USO volunteers and military members, helped stuff hundreds of stockings, which were then added to roughly 2,000 care packages being sent to military from Pennsylvania and South Jersey who are deployed in Afghanistan this holiday season. Pretty awesome. Want to know more about what the Liberty USO does and how you can help? Wish granted. 

SIDE CHATTER: Phanta Claus also brought two stockings for military heroes volunteering at the event. Each stocking included a free Phillies Spring Training trip in Clearwater, where they’ll throw out a first pitch at the game they attend! That Phanta Claus is great, huh?

3. Play Santa

No, we’re not talking about renting the suit and donning a white beard for your office holiday party.  We’re talking emulating jolly Saint Nick, who does a pretty fantastic job delivering so many presents. He must really feel like a rock star for bringing joy to so many people – and so can you. You could totally get in on that by participating in Adopt-a-Family initiatives through your work, community center, place of worship or even hit up Google to find one nearby. The Phillies front office has adopted eleven families this year and we’re so excited to help spread holiday cheer to them. Whether it’s an Elmo doll or a pair of shoes, any and every gift received will mean the world to that person.

4. Be an Elf, while you’re at it

Elves are helpful folks, always lending their time to make toys, bake cookies, sing songs and, overall, be cheerful beings. Channel your inner elf by volunteering your time at a local shelter or community center — pointy ears not required. Sing carols or read stories at a local retirement home or after school program, walk dogs at an animal shelter or help serve a meal at a shelter. Phillies front office personnel will once again tie on aprons and help prepare and serve a traditional holiday dinner to over 200 homeless community members at the Bethesda Project in Philadelphia in the coming weeks. We certainly enjoy it. No angry elves around here.

5. Pay it Forward – Not Just a Movie

Yes, you can add the movie to your Netflix queue, but also this is an idea we love. Spreading joy, love and kindness anonymously is truly wonderful — no doubt about it. Pay for coffee or the toll for the person behind you in line, tape quarters to a vending machine, help an elderly person carry groceries to their car, leave a generous tip for your server – there are so many options! You will feel even better than the person on the receiving end of your random act. Try it, we think you’ll like it.

There are really so many ways you can give to others this holiday season, but here are a few to get you started.

So get out there and find your holiday spirit. It’s looking for you!

Greetings!  We took a quick break from our Red Friday shopping to check in with you. Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and you ate way too much sans any family drama. We had a great holiday too – thanks for asking!

Now, if you’re like most of us, you’re probably already freaking out that there are only three Fridays left before Christmas. (Deep breaths. It’s going to be OK, we promise.) Try not to get caught up in the insanity that is holiday shopping/finding perfect gifts and miss out on what the season is really all about: enjoying time with family, celebrating traditions, etc. etc. This year, let’s make sure you don’t get trapped in a mall parking lot fighting over a space. Where should you go instead, you ask?

Well, we’ll tell you. Come spend the first weekend in December enjoying holiday festivities while getting some shopping done AT THE SAME TIME. We want you to pack in lots of holiday cheer while checking people off your list with great gifts at great prices. Now that’s multitasking at its finest.

So, without further ado – here are the details for the Phillies Holiday Sale & Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7th at the Majestic Clubhouse Store…

PHANTA CLAUS?!? I KNOW HIM! He doesn’t see you while you’re sleeping (like another red suit wearing, ho ho ho-ing guy we know) but he does love bringing joy to everyone he meets.  Yes, the world’s best mascot, Phillie Phanatic, is donning the red suit as jolly Phanta Claus. So why don’t you bring your camera (or take your smartphone out of your pocket) and snap some pics with him from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (P.S. He’s helping light the tree and ballpark later in the day…more info below).

Bookworms are the Best Worms. If you have someone on your list who is a Phanatic about reading, listen up. Know the awesome Phillie Phanatic’s Children’s Book Series? Well, illustrator of said series, Len Epstein, will be on hand to sign copies of his work! Check-in with him from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Who Doesn’t Love a Good M&G? That’s meet and greet, in case you didn’t know. The men behind the microphones, our very own Phillies broadcasters, are meeting with fans from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come say hi!

SIDE CHATTER: Shopping Tip from Your Phils – Hit the stores early to get the best selection and deals. The Majestic Clubhouse Store opens at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, giving you enough time for a good breakfast and caffeine fix before heading over.  Get there early and you’ll have first dibs on Phillies Authentics and Phillies Charities game-used memorabilia. That’s right, first dibs! There’s also tons of great Phillies gear and merchandise along with the 2014 Phils’ calendar, ornaments and other holiday-themed gifts to put under your tree! P.S. Store closes at 6:00 p.m., so plan your purchases accordingly.

Photo on the Field – One More Time! Haven’t had time to get that holiday card together? No worries – easy as pie. We’re giving you another shot to take your photos on the field. Check out those handsome Phils fans over yonder. But you want a shot of PhanaVision in the background instead? OK, just for you. Oh, and we’re also throwing in a visit to the dugout for good measure. (First 500 fans get to take part, weather permitting, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

All of the Lights…(Turned On Ceremoniously). There’s just something about a decorated tree that gets you in the holiday spirit. What’s that now? You forgot about our tree lighting? No way! We are beyond excited (like, Buddy the Elf excited) to light our majestic, twenty-four foot Christmas tree along with the rest of Citizens Bank Park in all its holiday splendor. Join Phanta Claus as he leads off the holiday season! Starts at 5:00 p.m. outside, at the Third Base Plaza – so make sure you bundle up!

OK, we’ve got to get back to shopping…but we’ll see you next Friday!

Blogging like a boss.

Hey Phillies Phaithful!

So, the offseason is officially upon us and we hope you’re ready for this.  We’d like to introduce One Citizens Bank Way, a brand new blog that gives readers little nuggets of information on what’s going on with the Phillies off the field – all year long.

That’s right…we’re here for you as the weather turns chilly, into the start of Spring Training and beyond (84 days and counting until Pitchers and Catchers…just sayin’).  So, check in with us every Friday for a weekly dose of Phils’ knowledge.  Consider it a little addition to your TGIF agenda.  We’d really love to see your faces gazing at our posts with childlike wonder.

P.S. We want to make it clear – Phanatic isn’t the author of this blog.  

Or is he?

No, he’s not.  But he is simply adorable and typing at a computer.

OK, that’s all for now – and post #1 is in the books.  See you Friday aka tomorrow!