Yahoo Sport World Series: Justin Verlander makes nice with Phillies fans in exchange of flipped birds, thumbs up
Justin Verlander knows how to endear himself to Philadelphia sports fans.
The Houston ace greeted Phillies fans on Monday by flipping them the bird when the Astros team bus arrived at Citizens Park before Game 3 of the World Series was rained out. He did so with a smile in response to what was in all likelihood a similar welcome by the Phillies faithful in attendance.
Oh hey, here’s @JustinVerlander entering the Citizens Bank Park for Game 3 of the World Series and flipping the bird to Phillies fans not once but TWICE. #GoPhillies #GoPhils #Philly #Philadelphia #Phillies @barstoolsports @BarstoolPhilly @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/K1BByHAorY
— Darren ™ (@darren04) October 31, 2022
When the Astros bus returned on Tuesday for Game 3, Phillies fans were waiting once again. This time, Verlander met them face-to-face for a closeup exchange of birds. But not before signing some autographs.
Verlander met with a fan named Steph to sign her baseball. The two then posed together while they both flipped off the camera. They then took another photo sharing a thumbs-up.
After yesterday's light-hearted viral video of him giving the bird to a Phillies fan, Justin Verlander came off the team bus to say hi to her this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/3YSOyNk4Zj
— Davidde Corran (@DaviddeCorran) November 1, 2022
The pictures turned out well and should make a nice souvenir for Steph — especially if her Phillies go on to win the World Series.
all fun and games with @JustinVerlander after yesterday’s bird exchange 🤭 @BarstoolPhilly @PhillyFanLife @MLB @MLBNetwork @FOX29philly @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/AwkTEMRzxp
— steph (@stephdiianni) November 1, 2022
And Verlander certainly got a kick of out of it — as he made clear on Twitter after Monday's interaction with fans.
All the context Darren… Whole interaction was in jest as all the fans around you were just saying hello in their native tongue. So I responded in kind. 🤣 🤣 all in good fun. I enjoyed the banter. Also, nobody broke the window. Was just like that 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/PSk5jzK2nT
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) October 31, 2022
Tuesday wasn't his last chance to interact with Phillies fans. Games 4 and 5 are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Philadelphia with Verlander slated to start in Game 5. He may not be in such a light-hearted mood before he takes the mound with a World Series game at stake.