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For Ruben Amaro Jr., a low-key return to Phils ballpark

The crowd at Citizens Bank Park hardly reacted as Ruben Amaro Jr. took the field Wednesday night.

He shook hands and chatted with first baseman Tommy Joseph during warm-ups. Moments later, the Phanatic rushed over to hand Amaro a stuffed mascot, which he offered to a young fan in the first row. Three rows back, a man held up a sign reading, "Amaro - free fall from GM to first base."

The homecoming was bittersweet for Amaro, a former player who served as the Phillies' general manager for almost seven years. Wednesday night was his first return to the stadium in almost two years.