View Full Version : Goodbye Vet Stadium
vettecaster
03-07-04, 08:23 AM
On Sunday, March 21st, we'll say goodbye to Veterans Stadium. It's implosion will bring lots of dust, and a flashback of memories we have all had inside that concrete bowl. We cheered for good guys wearing red pinstripes and Eagle green, in a stadium named after real heros.
It struck me that, perhaps, some members of CCDV have actually driven their cars INSIDE the Vet over the years. Maybe you've had the honor of driving a VIP in a pre-game parade? Anybody have any memories to share?
Tony B.96LT4
03-07-04, 08:55 AM
Originally posted by vettecaster
On Sunday, March 21st, we'll say goodbye to Veterans Stadium. It's implosion will bring lots of dust, and a flashback of memories we have all had inside that concrete bowl. We cheered for good guys wearing red pinstripes and Eagle green, in a stadium named after real heros.
It struck me that, perhaps, some members of CCDV have actually driven their cars INSIDE the Vet over the years. Maybe you've had the honor of driving a VIP in a pre-game parade? Anybody have any memories to share?
Not only memories but we have a video of that day when our Club rode some of the great players of the Phillies around the stadium. I drove Darrin Dalton around, nice guy BTW, and Rose wanted to take the seat out as a keepsake. It was put together by Ken Laver, a great guy in his own right, who has since moved to Arizona. I'm sure others who were there will chime in!
Yep...
I went down to the Vet with Ken Laver in both our cars (his C4 & my Pace Car), to negotiate with the Phillies & do a "test fit" on the ramp...
We also made the call to come down even though it was pouring rain that morning, but stopped just prior to game time!
A great time for ALL of us & big thanks to Ken Laver!
Another great Veterens Stadium memory!
Tony B.96LT4
03-07-04, 09:19 AM
Originally posted by YO-EL
Yep...
I went down to the Vet with Ken Laver in both our cars (his C4 & my Pace Car), to negotiate with the Phillies & do a "test fit" on the ramp...
We also made the call to come down even though it was pouring rain that morning, but stopped just prior to game time!
A great time for ALL of us & big thanks to Ken Laver!
Another great Veterens Stadium memory!
I didn't know you were involved in that setup El. Sorry for the omission. Thanks buddy for one of the best days of my Vette life!
Bill Burkholder
03-07-04, 11:28 AM
Steve, if you wish to view the tape "Vetts at the Vet" let me know and I'll lend you a copy. Bill
Glennm27
03-07-04, 11:53 AM
Originally posted by Bill Burkholder
Steve, if you wish to view the tape "Vetts at the Vet" let me know and I'll lend you a copy. Bill
I'd like to see that. I heard Ed Bonk had an infamous passenger in his car. I would have headed home before I drove that guy around in front of the fans at the Vet. Ed took a chance of having things thrown at his car and maybe even worse than that!
Ed, you're a braver man than I. :D
Bill Burkholder
03-07-04, 12:13 PM
Mitch who?????? Wild Thing ????? We also had one third base player who didn't want to ride in the caravan. I guess he left his wig home that day :D :D :D :D :D :D
Yea Tony...
Ken was concerned about the ramp with our low cars, and since the 78 Pace Car had a real low front spoiler, he asked me to come with him..
You should have seen Ken in their officies at the negotiating table..
I kept my mouth shut, and Ken says, "Let ME do all the talking"...
From the start, he goes, we want www.ccdv.com on the scoreboard, we want EACH driver to get 2 tickets to the game, hot dog & a soda... The girl kept checking off these items, and never said a word..
Next he asked for a tour of the locker room after the game & a private luncheon with the players past & present..
Those we didn't get.. haha!
And yea, I was the one who got duped when Mike Schmidt sat it out, but I still got to drive my car around anyway!
C5pilot
03-08-04, 05:44 PM
There may be some interest for members to view that tape at an upcoming meeting. How about it Bill, is it worthy enough to set some time aside?
Bill Burkholder
03-08-04, 07:42 PM
If the VCR is working we could see if anyyone wants to view it....
Joel Fellman
03-09-04, 12:10 PM
I have 2 copies of the tape if someone wants to borrow one. It WAS certainly one of many fantastic CCDV experiences! I was fortunate enough to drive Robin Roberts in our '76, the same year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame! He autographed my original owners manual! He also autographed a new original Philly baseball (I think from way back at Connie Mack Stadium) that I had taken with me. It's one of my most prized sports memorabilia possessions!
Joel
black magic
03-09-04, 01:20 PM
It was a great day vettes at the vet day. I never thought I would be standing in centerfield leaning on our convertible raffle vette in front of thousands of fans. And then I had the honor of driving Ritchie Ashburn's daughter around the vette.
And to think we drove down 95 in the pouring rain was another amazing feat, especially for the lady who was driving a 54
vette ;bt
Ed Bonk
03-09-04, 07:37 PM
It was great all of us standing tall with our vettes and filling the warning track from left field to right field.
Glenn you are right. I feared for my life driving Mitch Williams since he had death threats back in '93'. But to my surprise the girls were hanging over the side of the railings and screaming "Wild thing I love you". I felt better after hearing that.
Another great memory our club has.
Mike Campbell
03-10-04, 08:40 AM
How come we don't do cool things like that any more????;tt
Bill Burkholder
03-10-04, 09:41 AM
Originally posted by Mike Campbell
How come we don't do cool things like that any more????;tt
Mike we were invited to do that event, "Ten Greatest Moments in Phillies History" It's not an event we can plan. We offered our services to all the ball teams and now it's their ball park to invite us back , so to speak. It would be nice to do it again for opening day at the new field , but no one has called. :( :(
Ed Bonk
03-10-04, 11:29 AM
Bill - Why don't we call them, they might not know we exist or what we did in the past.
Our PR guy could run with this.
Bill Burkholder
03-10-04, 01:15 PM
Originally posted by Ed Bonk
Bill - Why don't we call them, they might not know we exist or what we did in the past.
Our PR guy could run with this.
Done...waiting for a return call... Bill
Mike Campbell
03-10-04, 02:41 PM
Maybe we should have volunteered the Mustang Club to all ride in right before the "implosion"....:D:D:D:D
;dc I know, that's not nice...
black magic
03-10-04, 05:53 PM
Bonk:
Are you you sure the girls who said Hey Wild Thing you make my heart sing it wasn't directed for you??????? ;bl
Ed Bonk
03-10-04, 09:27 PM
Joe - I wish it was directed at me. There was some nice ladies up in the stands, I would have been happy to meet the one's Mitch didn't want. :D :D
vettecaster
03-14-04, 08:14 AM
Hey Bill and Joel, I'd love to get a look at that videotape.
Sounds like it was the kind of event that helps make the history of CCDV so rich. :D
Joel Fellman
03-15-04, 01:35 PM
Steve:
Don't hesitate to call me at work: 215-467-3300 ext. 238 & I'll try to make arrangements to get a copy off to you!
Joel
Mike Campbell
03-15-04, 01:46 PM
By the way Joel, a very special thanks on that Fifty Fast years CD.;bt It is excellent!! You are a "Class Guy"!! ;bt I appreciate it.:D
Joel Fellman
03-16-04, 12:05 PM
Mike:
We're Corvette owners/drivers & in CCDV. That makes us all Classy!
Joel
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