After celebrating their 7-0 World Series victory Tuesday, the Phillies headed to the clubhouse for showers and refreshments. Winning pitcher Ranger Suarez dug into cachapas, the sweet corn fritters popular in his native Venezuela. Teammate José Alvarado, also from Venezuela, was not far behind.
Sharing Venezuelan Food with the Phillies: Chef Keith Rudolf
The cachapas, as well as the arepas, patacones and tequeños, came from Puyero Venezuela Flavor, a restaurant that has fed the Phillies since it opened on Fourth Street near South in Queen Village five years ago, around the time Keith Rudolf started with the Phillies.
Rudolf was the chef and Venezuelan players like pitcher Andres Blanco and center fielder Odúbel Herrera came in to eat.
The relationship went smoothly, said co-owner Gil Arends, 37, who grew up in Maracaibo rooting for the “Águilas del Zulia” Professional Baseball Team whose name translates to “eagles.”
Puyero Venezuela Flavor: Feeding Phillies Since 2015
During the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons, Arends said he occasionally cooked for the players in Rudolph’s kitchen at Citizens Bank Park. The Pandemic has changed Puyero’s service to delivery.
“One of the cool things about going to the Phillies is that there are so many Venezuelan players in the major leagues and for a long time the Venezuelan winter league was very solid,” Arends said.
Right fielder Nick Castellanos, for example, played in the 2009 Pan American Junior World Championship in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
Phillies History in Aguila: From Scott Rolen to Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino
Arends said he, too, grew up watching the Phillies and made his first visit in 1997, adding, “the year Scott Rolen was Rookie of the Year. I watched the World Series when I came home in 2008 and many of the 2008 players played for Aguila at some point. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino: I got to see them before they were Phillies.“
“Venezuelan food seems to be an easy sell”, Arends said.
“When you go to their clubhouse, everybody knows what you’re serving because everybody’s seen an arepa and a cachapa. It’s not like you have to explain it or anything.”
“They walk into the clubhouse and say, ‘Oh, we’re having arepas tonight. They’ve visited the country or played in the country or played with Venezuelans enough to know what our food is like.“
About Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team that has been a part of the National League since 1883. The team has had great success over the years, winning the World Series in 1980 and 2008.
They have also won the National League pennant eight times and have had many Hall of Fame players, including Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and Richie Ashburn. The team plays at Citizens Bank Park and the Phillies have a passionate fan base that has supported the team for generations.
The team is dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience for all fans at the ballpark and around the world. They continue to strive for excellence and look forward to a bright future.
F.A.Q. Philadelphia Phillies
Who is the best Phillies player of all time?
The greatest Phillies player of all time is Mike Schmidt. Schmidt played for the Phillies from 1972 to 1989 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in baseball history. He was a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and a three-time National League MVP.
Also holds or shares numerous Phillies records, including most home runs (548) and most RBIs (1,595). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Why did the Phillies change their name?
The Phillies were originally called the Philadelphia Quakers when they began to play in 1883 but changed their name to the Phillies in 1890. The team chose the name “Phillies” to honor the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League, which had folded in 1876.
Who is the Phillies AAA team?
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are based in Allentown, Pennsylvania and play their home games at Coca-Cola Park.
The team was formed in 2008 after the Ottawa Lynx, the former Triple-A affiliate of the Phillies, relocated to Allentown. The IronPigs are known for their creative promotions, including a bacon-scented rally towel and an in-stadium wedding chapel.
Who are the Phillies’ biggest rivals?
The Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets have been division rivals since the creation of the National League East in 1969.
The two teams have a long history of competitive play, with the Phillies leading the all-time series 541-513. Both teams are members of Major League Baseball’s National League and their rivalry has been dubbed the “Battle of the Broads,” about the two cities’ nicknames, “The City of Brotherly Love” (Philadelphia) and “The Big Apple” (New York).
The rivalry has intensified in recent years due to the success of both teams and the frequency with which they meet.
What is the Phillies mascot supposed to be?
Philly’s mascot is a fuzzy green creature named the Phanatic. Part of the Phillie Phanatic family, he is known for his outrageous antics and wacky sense of humor.
