Final greats for 'The Phillies Mural' revealed: Fans select Carlos Ruiz & Greg Luzinski
The vote was too close to call – and now The Phillies Mural will be getting two more Phillies greats instead of one.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz and former left fielder Greg “The Bull” Luzinski have been selected by nearly 10,000 fans who cast their vote on phillies.com to be included in The Phillies Mural, an eight-story mural created by artist David McShane and the Mural Arts Program that celebrates the history of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The duo was selected out of six Phillies greats who were in the running to be on the mural, thanks to thousands of write-in suggestions by fans on phillies.com. The other top candidates submitted by fans included Johnny Callison, Del Ennis, John Kruk and Jim Thome.
“With an overwhelming 10,000 votes cast – and the final Phillies Mural great too close to call – we consulted with the artist and collectively decided to include the two top selections as made by our fans,” said Michael Harris, Director, Marketing and Special Projects, The Phillies. “Carlos Ruiz and Greg Luzinski are both wonderful additions to this incredibly special and unique mural.”
“For me it's an absolute honor to have been selected by the fans when you see the caliber of players on the mural as well as the five greats that made it to the final vote,” said Luzinski. “Again many thanks.”
“I would like to thank the fans for selecting me,” said Ruiz. “To represent the Phillies for years to come on this mural is such an honor.”
The final images now featured in The Phillies Mural, which is set to be unveiled next summer, include (listed in order of appearance, from top left to right): Brad Lidge, Charlie Manuel, Mitch Williams, Cole Hamels, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Larry Bowa, Darren Daulton, Dallas Green, Tug McGraw, Ed Delahanty, Mike Schmidt, Ryan Howard, Chuck Klein, Tony Taylor, Dick Allen, Shibe Park, Jim Bunning, Veterans Stadium, Roy Halladay, Citizens Bank Park, Robin Roberts, Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn, Steve Carlton, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Greg Luzinski, the Phillie Phanatic and Carlos Ruiz.
For more details, including information on the “Final Phillie” vote, future painting opportunities and photos of the mural’s progress and design unveiling, please visit phillies.com/mural or muralarts.org.
ABOUT THE PHILLIES MURAL
In September 2011, the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and the Phillies unveiled the design of a brand new Center City mural celebrating the history of the Philadelphia Phillies – the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional sports.
Set to be completed this summer, The Phillies Mural will tower eight stories high and face the Schuylkill River and I-76 Schuylkill Expressway, and be located on a 24th & Walnut Street building.
The Mural Arts Program is the nation’s largest mural program. Since 1984, the Mural Arts Program has created over 3,500 murals and works of public art, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the “City of Murals.” The Mural Arts Program engages over 100 communities each year in the transformation of neighborhoods through the mural-making process, while award-winning, free art education programs serve nearly 1,500 youth at sites throughout the city and at-risk teens through education outreach programs. The Mural Arts Program also serves adult offenders in local prisons and rehabilitation centers, using the restorative power of art to break the cycle of crime and violence in our communities. Each year, nearly 10,000 residents and visitors tour the Mural Arts Program’s outdoor art gallery, which has become part of Philadelphia’s civic landscape and a source of pride and inspiration. For further information, call (215) 685-0750 or visit www.muralarts.org.