History of Citizens Bank Park in Timeline

Citizens Bank Park is a baseball stadium located in Philadelphia's South Philadelphia Sports Complex and is home to the Philadelphia Phillies. It opened on April 3, 2004, and is named after Citizens Financial Group.

1936: Establishment of the AHL

The American Hockey League (AHL) was established in 1936.

1948: Richie Ashburn's Phillies Debut

In 1948, Richie Ashburn began playing for the Phillies.

1959: Richie Ashburn's Last Season with Phillies

In 1959, Richie Ashburn played his last season with the Phillies.

1963: Richie Ashburn's Broadcasting Career Begins

In 1963, Richie Ashburn began his broadcasting career.

1972: Dan Baker's Announcing Career Begins

Since 1972, Dan Baker has been the public address announcer for the Phillies.

February 1979: Bernie Parent Injury

In February 1979, Bernie Parent suffered an eye injury during a game against the Rangers played at the neighboring Spectrum.

1997: Pirates Owners Threatened to Leave Pittsburgh

In 1997, the Pirates owners threatened to leave Pittsburgh, helping to convince the state legislature to approve funding for the four proposed stadiums.

1997: Richie Ashburn's Death

Richie Ashburn passed away in 1997.

1998: Railing Collapse at Veterans Stadium

During the 1998 Army–Navy Game, a railing collapsed at "The Vet", injuring eight cadets, increasing pressure for new stadiums in Philadelphia.

1999: Stadium Replacement Requests

In 1999, the owners of the Phillies and the Philadelphia Eagles joined the owners of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers in asking state and local governments to replace Veterans Stadium and Three Rivers Stadium with separate baseball and football stadiums.

June 28, 2001: Groundbreaking Ceremonies

On June 28, 2001, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new stadium, and the location of the left-field foul pole was unveiled.

2001: Pittsburgh Stadiums Open, Philadelphia Debate Continues

In 2001, Pittsburgh opened its stadiums (PNC Park for the Pirates and Heinz Field for the Steelers). Debate among Philadelphia's city leaders continued.

June 17, 2003: Naming Rights Deal with Citizens Bank

On June 17, 2003, Citizens Bank agreed to a 25-year, US $95 million deal for the park's naming rights and advertising.

August 12, 2003: Ballpark Topped Off

On August 12, 2003, the ballpark was officially topped off.

August 2003: Lincoln Financial Field Grand Opening

In August 2003, Lincoln Financial Field celebrated its grand opening.

April 3, 2004: Stadium Opening

On April 3, 2004, Citizens Bank Park, home to Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, officially opened in Philadelphia's South Philadelphia Sports Complex, named after Citizens Financial Group.

April 2004: Ballpark Opening

Citizens Bank Park officially opened in April 2004.

2004: Home Run Count

In 2004, Citizens Bank Park allowed 218 home runs.

2004: Daktronics Video and Message Displays Installed

In 2004, Daktronics video and message displays were installed in Citizens Bank Park.

2004: Organist Performs in Ashburn Alley

In 2004, organist Paul Richardson performed from Ashburn Alley because Citizens Bank Park was built without an organ booth.

2004: Bullpens Reassigned

In 2004, shortly after the park opened, the bullpens were reassigned so the Phillies' pitchers used the lower pen and visitors used the upper pen. During the first game after the reassignment, dugout coaches had to communicate with the bullpens by hand signals due to a failure to rewire the bullpen phones.

2004: Demolition of Veterans Stadium

In 2004, the 33-year-old Veterans Stadium, a multipurpose football and baseball facility, was demolished to make way for Citizens Bank Park.

August 25, 2005: Jimmy Buffett Concert

On August 25, 2005, Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band performed the first concert at Citizens Bank Park.

2005: Left-Field Wall Adjustment

After the 2005 season, during which 201 home runs were allowed, the left-field wall was moved back 5 feet (1.5 m).

2005: Daktronics Video and Message Displays Installed

In 2005, Daktronics video and message displays were installed in Citizens Bank Park.

2005: Organist Performs in Ashburn Alley

In 2005, organist Paul Richardson performed from Ashburn Alley because Citizens Bank Park was built without an organ booth.

April 22, 2007: Best Ballpark Food Award

On April 22, 2007, the food at Citizens Bank Park was named the Best Ballpark Food in a survey of Food Network viewers in the first annual Food Network Awards.

2007: Vegetarian-Friendly Ballpark

In 2007, PETA rated Citizens Bank Park as America's most vegetarian-friendly ballpark.

April 30, 2008: Green Power Partnership Program

On April 30, 2008, the Phillies announced that Citizens Bank Park would be powered with 20 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green energy purchased in Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Certificates (RECs).

June 14, 2008: Jimmy Buffett Concert

On June 14, 2008, Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band performed a concert at Citizens Bank Park.

July 2009: Start of Sellout Streak

In July 2009, the Phillies began a sellout streak that would eventually extend to 123 games.

2009: Most Home Runs in the National League

In 2009, Citizens Bank Park gave up 149 home runs, the most in the National League and second in the majors.

June 14, 2010: Concert Cancellation

On June 14, 2010, a scheduled concert featuring The Eagles, The Dixie Chicks, and Keith Urban at Citizens Bank Park was cancelled.

2010: HD Scoreboard Installation Begins

During the 2010–2011 offseason, the Phillies began replacing their incandescent scoreboard with a new HD scoreboard that cost $10 million.

2010: Attendance Records Set

In 2010, the Phillies set attendance records with 3,647,249 fans, averaging 45,028, and all home games sold out for the first time in the team's 81-year history.

April 2011: Gift of Harry Kalas Statue

In April 2011, the Phillies accepted a fan-underwritten gift of a 7.5-foot-tall bronze statue of legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas.

August 16, 2011: Harry Kalas Statue Dedication

On August 16, 2011, a 7.5-foot-tall bronze statue of legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas was dedicated and placed behind Section 141, near the restaurant that bears Kalas' name.

2011: Neutral Park Factor

By 2011, Citizens Bank Park had a neutral park factor of .997.

2011: HD Scoreboard Installation Completed

During the 2010–2011 offseason, the Phillies completed replacing their incandescent scoreboard with a new HD scoreboard that cost $10 million.

2011: Flyers and Rangers Alumni Game

On New Year's Eve, 2011, an alumni game was played between teams made up of former Flyers and Rangers players at Citizens Bank Park, which the Flyers alumni won 3-1.

January 2, 2012: NHL Winter Classic

On January 2, 2012, Citizens Bank Park hosted the fifth annual NHL Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, which the Rangers won 3-2.

2012: AHL Game at Citizens Bank Park

In 2012, four days after the NHL Winter Classic game, Citizens Bank Park hosted an AHL game between the Adirondack Phantoms and the Hershey Bears, which the Phantoms won 4-3 in overtime.