September 22, 2011 – The all-star centerfielder had made a promise to renovate the rundown Boys and Girls Club, near a gas station and a struggling high school, into a place of dreams and pride.

Standing outside its doors Thursday, under the threat of gray clouds, the Phillies’ own Shane Victorino, dressed plainly in a white shirt and jeans, with leis around his neck, stood on a makeshift stage, lowered his head, and wiped away tears.

The newly renovated club in Nicetown, which now bears his name and his promise, had officially reopened.

“I don’t know what’s sweeter for me,” said Victorino, 30, as his father handed him a tissue. He noted the team’s World Series win in 2008, and possibly another in 2011. “But seeing this building – ” he said, halted by emotion.

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