Phillies: Phandemic Krew embodies diehard Philadelphia fans

The socially-distanced Phandemic Krew is the embodiment of the Phillies fan

Philadelphia Phillies fans may not be able to attend games at Citizens Bank Park this season, however, two southern New Jersey residents, Oscar Alvarado, of Audubon, and Brett MacMinn, of Haddon Township, are doing everything possible to make sure the Philadelphia fan still is represented.

And, it is all through the Phandemic Krew.

Oscar and Brett, who met through social media, have been down at the ballpark ever since summer camp; from a drumline (who will return in Friday’s opener against the Atlanta Braves) and chants, such as “Sign J.T.!” the presence of their created “krew” — named after Bryce Harper‘s son — is being felt more and more as each day passes.

How the Phandemic Krew began

The Phandemic Krew began almost immediately once word spread that summer camp would take place at Citizens Bank Park rather than back at the Phillies’ spring training home in Clearwater.

“I could never go to spring training because of the nature of my work,” Brett said Friday morning on 97.5 The Fanatic. “So, I thought to go to summer training, go over and check that out. When I was there, I was like, ‘You know what? I can watch games from here.'”

Brett said Oscar was down at the ballpark for summer training too. From there, the concept of the “krew” really hit the ground running. From there, they suggested they both go to the games, and the rest is history.

“We went there, and there were actually other people there; that had the same idea,” Brett said.

Oscar says: “Phillies fans are great; [Brett and I] bump into each other at games. They had spring training here, so we’ve been out here watching them from behind the gate and at FDR Park.”

Support for the Phandemic Krew has grown, and the Phillies themselves are even fans. Brett and Oscar continued that Phillies executives have come down to the gate and said they need to be louder. The team has also provided T-shirts, headbands, and TVs so they can see the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast at the same time.

“That’s how the horn came in and the Phandemic Krew started,” Brett said.

The Phillies also gave the “krew” All-star catcher J.T. Realmuto‘s three-run home run ball from Thursday’s series finale victory over the Yankees.

Even the Phanatic has stopped by.