Meet Haverford Patch's Baseball Photo Finalist

Amy VanDerhi is a major Phillies fan, and she was determined to score that gnome. Read the story in this Haverford Patch Q&A and be sure to vote for Amy in Patch's biggest baseball fan contest.

HP: How long have you been a Phillies fan?

AV: I have been a Phillies fan for 27 years (my entire life).

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HP: Do you have a favorite player on the current Phillies roster and do you have an "all-time" Phillies favorite?

AV: My favorite Phillie on the current 40 man roster is Domonic Brown. Having watched him come through the Phillies farm system, I feel like I have seen him develop into the player and person that he is today.

HP: Are you the biggest fan in your family or are there others that join in the cheering?

AV: While I have to say I am the biggest fan in family (often traveling to see the team in other cities as well as the farm system teams), I have developed my mother in to a huge fan as well. She’s with me cheering at most of the home games that I attend.

HP: Can you tell us the story of the Ryan Howard Gnome in your winning photo?

AV: It really goes back to Spring 2010 when I was working at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center. I was about 4 months in to my new job and I was looking for things to do in Reading when I realized Minor League Baseball was about to start. On opening day, I ventured over to the beautiful First Energy Stadium (conveniently a mile away from my office) for my first Reading Phillies game. It turned out to be a very rainy night but something about the atmosphere kept me there (in addition to the nice snuggie giveaway keeping me dry). That same feeling kept me going back and I enjoyed about a dozen games that first season. One of the tremendous giveaways that season was the Ryan Howard Lawn Gnome (Version 1: White Jersey) which received mixed reviews. It was voted Best Promotion by ESPN but was also called “border line bizarre” by NBC10 and the Philadelphia Inquirer. However, my favorite review came from The Fightins.com.

So naturally, when I heard there would be a second coming of the Ryan Howard Lawn Gnome (black jersey), I had to buy tickets for the Home Opener for the 2011 season where it was to be given away. At that point that I had already started my new job, so I took a half day and made that familiar trek up 422.

Upon arrival, guests had the opportunity to enjoy the newly renovated First Energy Stadium.

They were greeted by the RPhils dancers and some interesting guests for the evening.

One of those “guests” was a life size, Ryan Howard Lawn Gnome, sponsored by Fromm Electric, and whose long journey was chronicled by PR/Media Relations Director for the RPhils, Tommy Viola in his blog. 3,500 adults were given the “regular” sized replica of this player who “set the single-season home run record for the Reading Phillies, with 37 in 102 games.”[1] With multiple entries being filled out by each person who entered, it only took one to have to this guy delivered to Rosemont, PA.

Yup, Papa Howard (as the little ones call him) is now Gnome Sweet Gnome. On April 21, 2011 Representatives from the RPhils, Fromm Electric, and Channel 69 news joined me, my mom and my neighbors, while he was ceremoniously placed in our garden. Media coverage can be found on Tommy V’s blog and on the Channel 69 news website.

In my desperate attempt to get the real Ryan Howard to autograph the gnome (or at least a picture of it), I created a sign to take to the Phillies games. The sign went with me to every game in Philadelphia and in Washington, DC that season.

As the season (wound) down, I contacted Director of Public Affairs for the Phillies, Scott Palmer who was able to help me add to my Phillies wall.

HP: Where's your favorite place to watch the Phils play?

AV: I love seeing the games in person at CBP! But I also enjoy going to the various ballparks, especially up and down the Northeast Corridor. When I can’t travel to a game, of course I never miss the Phils on TV.

HP: Do you have a favorite moment/play/memory in Phillies history?

AV: While I have been in attendance for several memorable moments in recent Phillies history (Cliff’s First Home Run, Cole’s First Home Run, Domonic’s Major League Debut, Jamie’s Last Complete Game Shutout), I will never forget being at Nationals Park the day that Harry Kalas passed. The news slowly trickled across the ballpark during batting practice and the tribute that the Nationals had was very moving. Little did I know how much impact it would have on me; this man whom I never had the chance to meet caused such a reaction. The voice of my summers was gone.

HP: Anything else we should know about you and/or your love for the Phillies?

AV: I look forward to many successful seasons in the near future!