Philadelphia Phillies: Remembering Randy Wolf and his Wolf Pack

Remembering the Philadelphia Phillies Randy Wolf Pack.

During these uncertain days, it’s easy and fun to reminisce on simpler times, back when things like regular seasons and crowded stadiums were the norm rather than an impossibility.

Take, for example, the early 2000’s Philadelphia Phillies. Sure, pretty much every season seemed to end in disappointment as they continually fell short to the division dominating Atlanta Braves, but considering what was to come during their magical World Series-winning 2008 season, these transitional years were a ton of fun in hindsight. Larry Bowa was replaced by Charlie Manuel as Manager, Veterans Stadium was replaced by Citizens Bank Park, and Jim Thome made way for Ryan Howard. Fan favorites like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and the not always loved but can’t be forgotten Pat Burrell were also very fun to watch.

But really, who can forget the dedicated fanbase for pitcher Randy Wolf.

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Wolf, a southpaw raised on the West Coast, was never a top-tier pitcher for the Phillies, was taken off the mound by Tommy John surgery for large portions of the 2005 and 2006 seasons, and became a free agent after 2006, just before the team reached the postseason in 2007 and won it all in 2008. However, Wolf was always a cult fan favorite. He was a reliable starter pre-surgery and maintained a 3.70 ERA in 2002 with two shutouts. He even earned an All-Star appearance in 2003 with a 16-win season, two of which were shutouts.

Another interesting aspect of Wolf’s career with the Phillies was his batting. While he certainly wasn’t in the running to break any records, his 11 RBIs in 2003 and three home runs in 2004 show that he wasn’t afraid to swing away.

All things considered, it’s not too surprising that Wolf had a lot of fans in Philly, but he also had the Wolf Pack.

Predating Charlie Manuel, Citizens Bank Park, and even the 21st century, the first official appearance of the Wolf Pack was way back in 1999 during Wolf’s rookie season. They were known for their wolf masks, residence in the outfield nosebleeds of Veterans Stadium, and devotion to their beloved southpaw through thick and thin. On the off chance Wolf hit a home run in their presence, the dedicated crew of a dozen or so devotees would literally howl with delight.

After his time in Philadelphia, Wolf bounced around the league, playing for a number of teams including the LA Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers before joining the Detroit Tigers for his final season in 2015.

Fun fact: From 2007-2019, he also owned a house in the Hollywood Hills previously owned by famed guitarist Slash. However, it’s clear that he still has a lot of love for his East Coast home away from home in Philadelphia, as evidenced by his Alumni Weekend appearance in 2006 accompanied by his beloved Wolf Pack.

Philadelphia is clearly a vocal city when it comes to our athletes. However, while we are loud about players that disappoint, we also recognize commitment and heart. From the very start of his career, Randy Wolf was known for those traits and earned a loyal pack of fans to show for it.