Amazing Phillies Threepeat as Champs in '09 by Adding Black-Bean Burgers and Mock Crab Cake Salad to an Already Stacked Lineup

For Immediate Release:
June 1, 2009

Contact:
Dan Shannon 757-622-7382

Philadelphia -- For the third straight year, Citizens Bank Park (CBP), home of the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, leads the pack in PETA's annual rankings of the top 10 vegetarian-friendly ballparks. This the first time since PETA began the rankings in 2002 that a ballpark has won three years in a row. With the addition of the new Southwestern black-bean burgers and mock crab cake salad to a lineup that already featured Philly-style faux-steak and faux-chicken sandwiches, veggie dogs, and meatless wraps, CBP was a shoo-in. And ranking number one with PETA could portend good things for the Phils: After receiving a first-place ranking from PETA last year, the team went on to win the World Series!

Top athletes -- including slugger Prince Fielder, NBA star Raja Bell, MMA fighters Mac Danzig and Dale Hart, Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, NBA legend John Salley, and Olympic great Carl Lewis -- look to meatless meals to boost their performance and help stop animal suffering. And judging by the ever-growing array of delicious vegetarian meals available at major league parks, fans are following their lead.

Grabbing second-place honors again this year is AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, and finishing close behind is Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. Rounding out the top 10 are Turner Field (Atlanta Braves), Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros), PETCO Park (San Diego Padres), Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers), U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox), and Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles) as well as Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers) and Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs), which tied for 10th place.

"With the Phillies again taking the top spot in our rankings, they could end up celebrating another world championship in Philadelphia this year," says PETA Assistant Director Dan Shannon. "The fact is that anyone who improves his or her health, helps protect the planet, and saves animals' lives by going vegetarian is a winner."

Each team on the major league list will receive a framed certificate and a congratulatory letter from PETA. For more information and to view the complete list of winners, please visit PETA.org.