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Phillies fans arrive for opening day at Citizens Bank Park on April 1, 2021. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
From his perch on a white upside-down bucket on Pattison Avenue, Rich Russell beamed with pleasure as masked fans streamed across the street into Citizens Bank Park to catch a game for the first time in a year.
For more than a decade, Russell has serenaded Phillies fans from this South Philly corner with his trusty alto saxophone. So when he learned fans would be back in the stands for Thursday’s Opening Day game, he knew exactly where he’d be.
Performer Rich “Doctor Rich” Russell welcomes back fans to Citizens Bank Park on opening day, April 1, 2021. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)