The last game at Veterans Stadium was in September 2003. The 62-second implosion took place the following March.
When planning Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies wanted to retain the four large bronze statues that graced the Vet's podium level since 1976.
Joe Brown (1909-85), a South Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate, was a member of the Philadelphia Art Commission and a professor and sculptor at Princeton University. He was selected by the Art Commission in 1970 to produce four statues -- two baseball (the slide and the batter) and two football (the tackle and the kicker).
The four statues were removed long before implosion,and they were refurbished and relocated to the outer portions of the new parking lot where the Vet once stood. The slide and tackle are on Pattison Avenue, while other two are on the opposite side. Bronze plaques commemorating the history of events that took place at the stadium were added to each statue base.
Fans used the statues as a place to meet friends before games. Selfies weren't taken simply because the technology didn't exist back then.
Another statue was of Philadelphia Athletics icon Connie Mack. That statue was also refurbished by the Phillies and was placed on the west side of Citizens Bank Park. That statue originally stood across the street from Connie Mack Stadium, and it was relocated to Broad Street and Pattison Avenue by the Phillies in 1971.
In addition, white granite markers with a solid bronze medallion inlay were installed in the new parking lot where home plate, the pitcher's rubber, three bases and the two football goalposts once existed at the Vet. A new Veterans Memorial was designed and located on Pattison Avenue. And a Pennsylvania historical marker was added to commemorate the site.
For more information visit, Phillies alumni.