Yesterday, a groundhog claimed that spring was nowhere in sight. Today, the departure of a truck signals that spring may be just around the corner. That is right, today the Phillies’ equipment truck departs heading southbound with the GPS set for Clearwater, Florida.
Before the cracking of bats and the smells of freshly cut grass and hot dogs fill the air, the smell of diesel and the shrills of a tractor-trailer’s engine will indicate the former is on the way.
“Truck Day is always an exciting event, as it means we’re even closer to the start of Phillies baseball,” said Phillies Manager of Equipment & Umpire Services Dan O’Rourke. “Thanks to Citizens, our equipment truck will be dressed for the occasion, providing fun sightings for fans as it makes its 1,058-mile journey from Philadelphia to its final spring training destination.”
Phillies Truck: Manifest and Itinerary
The Phillies’ truck arrived Monday morning with three 28-foot trailers to be filled with all of the essentials needed as the Phillies’ squad descends on Clearwater. 10,000 paper cups, 2,400 baseballs, 2,000 short-and-long sleeved shirts, 1,200 bats, 900 pairs of socks, 600 pairs of pants, 600 batting practice hats, 350 pairs of shorts, 300 batting gloves, 250 batting practice tops, 200 fleeces, 200 light jackets, 140 batting helmets, 125 leather, and elastic belts, 75 pairs of assorted spikes, plastic and turf shoes, 40 heavy jackets, 20 coolers, and several bikes will fill the trailers. No doubt the Phillie Phanatic is likely adding a few items for some Spring Training tomfoolery.
After the truck is loaded and ready, it will make a few stops in the Philadelphia area before hitting the roads for the thousand-mile march to Clearwater. Expected to be unloaded on Friday, February 7, the road trip no doubt will include several stops at Wawa’s well-placed locations down the I-95 corridor, as well as perhaps a stop at the Walmart of all gas stations in Buc-ees.
The first official workout for Phillies’ pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12 with the first full-squad workout to follow on February 17.
Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Phillies
