Philadelphia sports enthusiasts are now able to enjoy the full spectacle of Jhoan Duran’s closer entrance live on NBC Sports Philadelphia, starting this Friday night. After the Phillies acquired Duran in a midseason trade, fans became captivated not only by his remarkable pitching but also by the electrifying 40-second walk to the mound, known as the Jhoan Duran closer entrance.
Duran, a newcomer in the City of Brotherly Love, quickly became a fan-favorite due to his fast pitches reaching up to 103 mph and overpowering some of the league’s most elite hitters, including American League MVP candidates. Beyond his pitching prowess, what sets him apart is the unique entrance experience, which was previously unavailable for viewers watching outside Citizens Bank Park.
The Elements Behind Duran’s High-Energy Entrance
This entrance combines intense music and visual effects that engage fans in a theatrical presentation. Inside Citizens Bank Park, the soundtrack fuses Farruko’s El Incomprendido with Hot by Pitbull and Daddy Yankee, creating a custom remix that rumbles through the stadium. Simultaneously, video boards display tarantula animations paying homage to Duran’s nickname, the Durantula. This multisensory event adds a dramatic flair rare in baseball, making these moments memorable for on-site spectators.
Tom McCarthy and John Kruk, broadcasting during Duran’s first Phillies appearance at home, recognized the special production. They noted it was a gift from the Minnesota Twins, the team that traded Duran, who handed over the entire entertainment package along with him. As highlighted,
“Thank you to the Twins for passing this on to the Phillies.”
—Awful Announcing
Fan Outcry and Network Response to Broadcast Limitations
Initially, NBC Sports Philadelphia did not air the complete closer entrance, frequently cutting away for commercials or alternative camera shots. This limitation sparked significant backlash from Philadelphia’s passionate fanbase, who responded by launching a petition that received over 700 verified signatures, urging the network to showcase Duran’s full entrance uninterrupted.
Responding to these demands, NBC Sports Philadelphia announced plans to broadcast Jhoan Duran’s entire closer entrance live for all evening home games through the remainder of the season, starting Friday night. The network expressed their acknowledgment to the public by stating,
“We’ve heard from passionate Phillies fans across the region,”
and promised that viewers would
“get to experience this phenomenon live and in its entirety.”
—NBC Sports Philadelphia statement
The Rise of Cinematic Walk-Ins in Baseball
The trend towards filming closers’ entrances with high production values began with SNY’s John DeMarsico. His innovative approach has elevated the baseball experience by turning walk-ins into fully cinematic moments. One prime example is Mets closer Edwin Díaz, whose entrance to Narco by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet has become iconic within the sport. Thanks to consistent full broadcast coverage, Díaz’s entrance is widely recognized as the most exciting in baseball and helps engage younger fans.
By committing to air Duran’s entrance in full, NBC Sports Philadelphia is aligning the Phillies’ closer with other elite pitchers whose walk-ins have become significant parts of the baseball viewing experience. The network’s choice reflects an understanding that the atmosphere created by these entrances is a powerful tool for maintaining fan interest in a sport constantly seeking to appeal to newer, younger audiences.
What This Means for Phillies Fans and Baseball Broadcasting
The decision to televise Jhoan Duran’s complete closer entrance live enhances the overall game-day experience for local fans and raises the profile of the Phillies closer in Major League Baseball’s entertainment landscape. It also signals a growing emphasis on blending sport with spectacle to hold fan engagement in an era of expanding digital entertainment options.
For Philadelphia, a city known for its dedicated sports supporters, allowing fans to witness the full sensory experience of the Durantula’s entrance exemplifies how broadcast media can respond to viewer passion. It sets a precedent for how teams and networks might treat other recognizable players’ entrances, helping to build stronger emotional connections between athletes and fans.
As the season progresses, viewers can look forward to seeing Jhoan Duran’s high-octane entrance live, adding another thrilling layer to Phillies home games at Citizens Bank Park while solidifying Duran’s status as one of the game’s most electric closers.