Gordon, Rowand highlight Caravan tour

01/28/2006
MEDIA, Pa. -- The splash of applause gently rocked Tom "Flash" Gordon and Aaron Rowand back in their seats as they took questions from a live audience during a taping of "Meet The Phillies 2006" for Philadelphia's Comcast SportsNet.
Both Gordon and Rowand, two of the newest Phillies, had heard about the demanding nature of Philadelphia sports fans, but they didn't see any of that on Saturday afternoon in the very congested main concourse of the Granite Run Mall.
Rowand and Gordon were joined by Phillies teammates Jimmy Rollins and 2005 National League Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard, as well as Phillies general manager Pat Gillick and Phils manager Charlie Manuel.
The show will be aired on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet.
For Gordon and Rowand, it was a time to get introduced and bond with their new fans.
"I heard so much about the fanbase here in Philly and how they want you to win, how they could be hard here, but that hasn't been the case at all, as far as I can see," said Gordon, whom the Phillies signed as a free agent to replace departed closer Billy Wagner. "It's been great to me. Just being with the fans has been wonderful. I haven't done one of these since I was with Kansas City in 1993 and '94."
Rowand was slightly familiar with the concept, but when he was with the world champion Chicago White Sox, the center fielder was part of a FanFest affair in which fans could meet prominent White Sox players in a public setting for autographs and pictures.
"The Sox never did anything like this, going from city to city, mall to mall," said Rowand, whom the Phillies obtained in a trade from the White Sox for Jim Thome. "It's been a surprise with all the people who have turned out."
Rowand thinks that this 2006 version of the Phillies has a great chance to win -- a sentiment he wasn't afraid to express to the eager throng of fans who had gathered in front of the makeshift stage, where the players and Comcast SportsNet hosts Michael Barkann and Leslie Gudel sat.
"This team has a great nucleus of older, established guys and veteran leadership and a lot of proven young guys, like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley," Rowand said. "They bring energy to the game. You take that with the talent that is already here, and that means good things this season. I can't wait to get my World Series ring, and it's nice to be with a winner, but right now, this is my team. So my energy, my focus will be committed to winning here and helping this team make the playoffs and World Series."
Howard and Rollins received big ovations. Rollins spoke briefly about carrying the pressure of a 36-game hitting streak into the 2006 season, while Howard discussed how he plans to build on his 2005 Rookie of the Year season and start this season as the Phillies' regular first baseman.
"This has been great," said Howard, who slammed 22 homers and drove in 63 runs last season. "The fans have kind of accepted me. This is about the fans, and being excited. Whether some people want to accept it or not, this is about the fans. This was my first time on the Caravan, and it's been a great ride."
"I like the whole sum of our team," said Gillick to the gathering.
Rowand added, "Everywhere we've been going, with all the different areas, people have been behind us. The fans are going to be pleasantly surprised with this team. You don't need big egos and big names to win as a team -- that's something we proved last year with the White Sox."
Finally, for the fans, meeting their heroes up close was a special thrill.
"We're longtime Phillies fans," said Henny Schultz, from Boothwyn, Pa. "I brought my three sons, and I wanted to give them a chance to see everyone up close. We're also part-time season-ticket holders. We have some big expectations for this year."
Perhaps no one on Saturday afternoon was a more experienced fan than 88-year-old Dorothy Cook, who was there with her son, Don, from Prospect Park, Pa.
"This has been great," Dorothy said. "I don't miss a game, even games on the West Coast. I'm glad to be here."

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/