While arriving for the Philadelphia Phillies‘ highly anticipated series against the New York Mets, fans were greeted by something a bit unusual — but certainly extraordinary.
Walking through the left field entrance to the team’s home stadium, fans couldn’t help but notice a new work of art, one that perfectly blended the specialties of both the home team and their stadium’s namesake. As a part of their continued partnership, the Phillies and Citizens Bank unveiled a larger-than-life sculpture of a baseball glove and ball, both made entirely from credit cards.
To create this piece, Citizens teamed up with Guinness World Record holder Bryan Berg. Berg has set multiple world records for his impressive free-standing card builds, meaning builds completed without tape, glue, or tricks. This particular project, considering the nature and need for relocation, was completed using glue, which, according to Berg, is even more difficult due to the difference in feel and gravitational impact.
“There were five of us working on it most of the time for seven days a week for 10 to 16-hour days. So, it’s a lot,” Berg told Metro. “And you have good days and bad days. You have good days where you really do great and you accomplish a lot. Then, you have other days where, for whatever reason, you don’t really get very far, you don’t have much figured out.”
Berg led a hands-on demonstration and card-stacking workshop with children from the Phillies Jr. RBI League. As part of the Financial Group’s commitment to youth development and community engagement, Citizens Bank made a $2,500 charitable donation to the League.
“It really is terrific,” said Dan Fitzpatrick, President, Citizens Mid-Atlantic Region. “It brings that attention, highlights what we’re doing in Philadelphia with the Phillies, but also in an innovative way.”
For Fitzpatrick — and for Citizens Bank — this partnership goes beyond business. It’s about passion, people, and making an impact where one can.
“I’m a Philadelphian,” Fitzpatrick said. “I grew up in Philadelphia. I live and work in Philadelphia. We’re passionate about Philadelphia in the community and making a positive impact. Well, the Phillies are right there. I mean, there’s no better people than John Middleton, [the Buck family], the ownership [group], everyone in the Phillies organization. So it really is making an impact. And for us, as Citizens, it’s important to be a hometown bank, and nothing says hometown bank more than being the official bank of the Philadelphia Phillies.”
Citizens Bank became the official bank of the Phillies in 2003, as plans for a new stadium were underway. Since then, the Financial Group name has effectively become synonymous with Phillies baseball. They have seen Philadelphians through many memorable moments, from the MVP seasons of Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Bryce Harper to Roy Halladay’s Cy Young and three World Series appearances, including the team’s unforgettable championship victory in 2008.
The sculpture can be seen at Citizens Bank Park now and will be removed following the game on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
“Nothing is forever,” Berg said, reflecting on the piece. “Everything that we make as humans, even the Roman Coliseum, is not forever. It’s only partially there… All I really care about is that people kind of enjoy it, and it might make them scratch their head a little bit, like, what is this? Why is this? Who is this? I think it’s kind of important in life to get derailed in that way once in a while.”
