Happy Anniversary to the "Bank"

Rarely has a ballpark altered a club's image the way Citizens Bank Park has for the Phillies. Opened eight years ago today, the airy, natural grass retro venue was the sensory opposite of its industrial-looking astroturf-clad predecessor, Veterans Stadium. Of course, an infusion of better talent certainly helped. Contending teams amidst a baseball-friendly atmosphere have resulted in five-consecutive division titles and over 200 consecutive sell-outs. And you rarely read about the surly, mean-spirited Philadelphia baseball fans (phans) anymore.

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