Citizens Bank Park was buzzing with energy on October 6, 2025, but not just because of the high-stakes playoff baseball between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Among the sea of red pinstripes and rally towels, a familiar face was spotted in the stands—a sight that quickly set social media ablaze. Former President Joe Biden, accompanied by former First Lady Jill Biden, made a rare public appearance to cheer on their beloved Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Division Series (NLDS).
For the Bidens, this was more than just another night at the ballpark. Their connection to Philadelphia sports runs deep. Both are lifelong Phillies fans, with roots that stretch across Pennsylvania and Delaware. Joe Biden, age 82, was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and spent much of his youth in Wilmington, Delaware. Jill Biden, 74, grew up in Willow Grove, just north of Philadelphia, and has never been shy about her devotion to the city’s teams. Their primary residence in Greenville, Delaware, is a quick 40-minute drive from South Philadelphia, making a trip to Citizens Bank Park as easy as a Sunday drive.
The former first couple’s appearance was a highlight for many in attendance. Seated in the front row of an elevated section, the Bidens were seen applauding the home team, chatting with supporters, and graciously posing for photos with fans who eagerly approached their section. According to reports from FOX 29 and fans on social media, Biden was in good spirits throughout the night, often on his feet, leaning over the railing, and soaking up the playoff atmosphere. Dr. Jill Biden, equally animated, was seen applauding and encouraging the Phillies alongside her husband.
The game itself was a rollercoaster. The Phillies were fighting to even the series after dropping Game 1 to the reigning champion Dodgers. As the innings ticked by, tension mounted. By the bottom of the ninth, Philadelphia was trailing 4-1—an uphill battle against a formidable Los Angeles bullpen. But the Phillies, true to their resilient reputation, mounted a late rally. The crowd roared as the home team clawed back two runs, cutting the deficit to just one. The Bidens, along with thousands of hopeful fans, stood and cheered, willing their team to pull off a dramatic comeback. Ultimately, the Dodgers held on for a narrow 4-3 victory, putting the Phillies down two games to none in the best-of-five series and on the brink of elimination as the series shifted to Los Angeles for Game 3.
Despite the heartbreak on the field, the Bidens’ presence was a feel-good story for many. Photos of the former president and first lady—applauding, smiling, and mingling with supporters—circulated widely across social media platforms. One image showed Joe Biden in a crisp blue-and-white pinstripe shirt and a blue-gray blazer, chatting amiably with fans in Phillies jerseys who had gathered near his section. Another captured the couple standing together, eyes fixed on the drama unfolding below.
The Bidens’ Phillies fandom is no secret. Over the years, they’ve attended numerous Philadelphia sporting events, often becoming part of the city’s sports lore. In 2022, Dr. Jill Biden was present for Game 4 of the World Series against the Houston Astros—a game traditionally dedicated to cancer victims, where she paid tribute to both her late son Beau Biden and Corey Phelan, a Phillies minor league pitcher who had passed away. Just weeks after Joe Biden left office in January 2025, Jill Biden was at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, celebrating as the Philadelphia Eagles bested the Kansas City Chiefs.
The former president’s own sports résumé is impressive in its own right. As a child in Scranton, he played Little League baseball and later coached his son Beau’s Little League team in Delaware. His contributions to youth baseball were recognized in 2009 when he was inducted into the Little League Museum Hall of Excellence. Reflecting on his love for the game, Biden once remarked, “If you had told me when I was an eight-year-old, playing in my first Little League, that I had a choice of pitching in the World Series and win it or be Vice President, I would have pitched.”
While Jill Biden has been a regular at Philadelphia sports venues—often using her appearances to support causes like cancer advocacy—Joe Biden’s attendance at professional sporting events has been more sporadic, especially during his presidency from 2021 to January 2025. During his time as vice president, he made a few notable appearances, including throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at an Orioles-Yankees game in 2009 and attending a Georgetown-Duke men’s basketball game with then-President Barack Obama in 2010. But Monday night’s playoff game marked a rare public outing for Biden since leaving the White House, underscoring both his enduring passion for baseball and his connection to the region.
The Phillies’ loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Philadelphia faithful and their most prominent fans. With the series moving to Los Angeles, the team now faces a do-or-die scenario in Game 3. The stakes couldn’t be higher—one more defeat and the Phillies’ postseason hopes vanish for another year. But if there’s one thing Phillies fans, and the Bidens among them, know, it’s that hope springs eternal in October. The city’s sports history is littered with comebacks, heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments. As the NLDS continues, the Phillies will look to channel that fighting spirit, with their most famous supporters cheering them on from near or far.
For now, the story isn’t just about a playoff loss or a late-inning rally that fell short. It’s about community, resilience, and the enduring bond between a city, its team, and its fans—famous or otherwise. The Bidens’ night at Citizens Bank Park was a reminder that, in Philadelphia, baseball is more than a game. It’s a tradition, a passion, and, sometimes, a much-needed escape. As the team heads west for a must-win showdown, all eyes—presidential and otherwise—remain fixed on what happens next.
