Phillies to Play Yankees This Thursday in "Payback Game"

Earlier this year, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel remarked to the media that his Phillies “owe the Yankees one.”

And this Thursday is payback day.

Exactly four months to the day New York clinched their 27th World Series title, the Phils will attempt to exact their revenge at Clearwater’s Bright House Field in the Grapefruit League rematch of Major League Baseball’s two reigning champs.

The Yankees will make the short trip from Tampa to play last year’s National League Champion Phillies on Thursday, March 4, in a game that will draw the attention of baseball fans from around the world.

“This is what Spring Training is all about,” said Kevin Smith, director of the St. Pete/Clearwater Sports Commission. “To have baseball of this caliber being played in such an intimate setting, and to have great weather all but guaranteed is exactly why Major League Baseball has called the St. Pete/Clearwater area its Spring Training home for more than 80 years.”

With both clubs carrying a large local following and both teams being picked to repeat and return to this year’s Fall Classic, tickets for the 1:05 game are nearly sold out.

Offering full sun in its grass berm area and cold beverages in its Tiki Pavillion beyond the left field wall, Bright House Field has been a hit with fans since its 2004 inaugural season. In addition to being the spring home of the Phillies, Bright House Field also hosts home games of the organization’s Florida State League team, the Clearwater Threshers, and the BIG EAST Baseball Championship.

Fans unable to make it to this week’s Phillies-Yankees game can catch the World Series redo four additional times this month: March 8 and March 26 in Tampa and in Clearwater on March 17 and March 22.

Tickets are available at Phillies.com.

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