Events on November 13 in Philadelphia Phillies history

  • November 13, 2000: Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street announced that the Philadelphia Phillies’ new ballpark (what would become Citizens Bank Park) and the Philadelphia Eagles stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) would be located at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

Phillies-affiliated players / executives born on November 13

  • John Leonard “Buck” Stanley (1889): A left-handed pitcher who made his MLB debut with the Phillies in 1911 and appeared in four games for the club.
  • Bobby Pfeil (1943): Infielder who played for the Phillies in 1971, hitting .271 in 70 at-bats during his stint with the team.
  • Dave Shipanoff (1959): Canadian relief pitcher who appeared in 26 games for the Phillies in 1985, registering a 3.22 ERA.

A DEEPER DIVE… Citizens Bank Park

By the late 1990s, it had become clear that Veterans Stadium’s days were numbered. The multipurpose venue, which opened in 1971, had served both the Phillies and Eagles for nearly three decades. While it was once considered a state-of-the-art facility, “The Vet” had aged poorly. Its concrete exterior, artificial turf, and cavernous design made it a far cry from the new generation of ballparks that were popping up around Major League Baseball—parks that emphasized charm, fan comfort, and a connection to the city around them. The Phillies, like many teams during that era, began to push for a ballpark of their own, one that would deliver a true baseball experience.

Discussions about a new stadium started quietly in the mid-1990s, as the Phillies looked toward examples like Camden Yards in Baltimore and Jacobs Field in Cleveland. Those retro-style parks had revitalized downtown areas and boosted attendance dramatically. The team’s ownership wanted a similar effect in Philadelphia, but finding the right location proved tricky. There were strong arguments for both a downtown site and one near the existing Sports Complex in South Philadelphia.

Many civic leaders, including then-Mayor Ed Rendell, initially favored a downtown ballpark. Supporters of that plan envisioned a vibrant stadium in Center City or the Chinatown area that would spur restaurants, hotels, and nightlife while connecting the Phillies more directly to Philadelphia’s urban core. However, those proposals ran into fierce opposition from residents and business owners who feared the traffic and disruption that a new stadium would bring to their neighborhoods. Chinatown residents, in particular, organized strong protests, and the idea of a downtown stadium lost momentum as the political and public pushback grew.

At the same time, there was a more pragmatic case for keeping the team in South Philadelphia. The land was already publicly owned, infrastructure like parking lots and highway access was in place, and the area was already home to the city’s other major sports facilities. Building a new park next to the Spectrum and the planned football stadium for the Eagles offered logistical advantages and reduced the potential for drawn-out legal battles or community resistance. The South Philadelphia site also allowed for easier coordination between the Phillies and the city on financing, construction timelines, and shared infrastructure improvements.

The official decision came on November 13, 2000, when Mayor John Street announced that both the Phillies’ and Eagles’ new stadiums would be built at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. It was a compromise that balanced practicality with long-term vision. While some lamented that the ballpark wouldn’t bring fans downtown, the move ensured that both teams would get modern facilities without further delays or controversy.

Recently, the Philadelphia ’76ers considered building a new arena in Chinatown, but abruptly abandoned those plans because of local opposition. The new arena would have been on East Market Street with the team moving in 2031 when their lease at Xfinity Mobile Arena expires. That project, which faced strong opposition from residents of nearby Chinatown and other community groups, had been approved by City Council only weeks before the Sixers and Comcast Spectacor announced they would be partners on a new arena at the Sports Complex instead.

Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004, and it quickly won over fans who had once doubted the location. The stadium’s open concourses, Ashburn Alley, and sweeping views of the city skyline helped create a distinctly Philadelphia atmosphere. The decision to build in South Philadelphia ultimately proved successful, blending accessibility with tradition and giving the Phillies a true home that felt built for baseball, not borrowed from football. In hindsight, it was a decision that reshaped the fan experience and strengthened the franchise’s bond with the city.