The Mark Grant Appreciation Page!!

Story 02-003

April 25, 2002

Edition 2.0

2002 "Visit To The Vet" Recap

[April 25, 2002] A photo op with Mark, great FREE seats two rows behind the Padres' dugout and an on-air plug for our website were the highlights of the MGAP's second annual "Visit To The Vet"!!!

The fun began outside the stadium. While we were waiting for the couresty ticket window to open, Channel 4's producer, Nick Davis, stopped by to say "Hi". He told us that they were going to show our website on the air, and make fun of poor Mark because the site only had 296 hits! Nick had to go, but a few minutes later he and the rest of the Channel 4 behind-the-scenes crew came by. They said "Hello" and asked if we knew where we'd be sitting. We had no idea, but they promised "We'll find you!"

Our tickets were for Section 234, Row 2, which turned out to be two rows behind the Padres' dugout!! We no sooner got to the seats when I saw Mark standing on the field. I yelled "MARK!!!!!" to get his attention. He looked over and said "Hi". He asked where we were sitting, and seemed surprised when I told him "right here!" He noticed my digital camera, and asked if I wanted a picture. Of course I did, so he had me come down to the railing in front of the field boxes where Glenda, a Phillies hostess, agreed to take the picture. We chatted for a few more minutes before Mark had to head up to the press level and get ready for the game.

The game itself was a travesty, as my beloved Phillies got creamed, 7-2, the first time they'd lost when I was at the ballpark since 1996. Like I said afterwards, "It was a disaster, but at least we had great seats for it!!!"

We didn't see Mark or anyone from Channel 4 after that, they must have mentioned the MGAP as Nick promised, because by the time we got home from Philly the site had already gotten 100 more hits, and within a week we'd had over 1200 visitors!! I ordered a video of the game from Channel 4, and I'll post more info when it arrives.