winter caravan

The Phillies Winter Caravan is in town tonight, hosted by the IronPigs. Gone are the days when fans lined up at some local mall to get autographs from whatever players and front office types had been pressed into service. Fans now pay to attend. Tonight's affair, which includes dinner and a chance maybe to mingle with the luminaries, costs $75 a pop. Unless that is you are at the corporate table, advertised at $1300 for 10. And for all in attendance: business attire suggested. (Ink-stained wretches need not bother.) All proceeds go to the IronPigs charities. Last year 500 people attended. This year, another sell-out but at a larger venue, the number is reported to be 865. Participants will also get a chance to have a photo taken with the World Series trophy. No wonder business attire was suggested.