The lights cut out. Total darkness. Then, a single, heavy chime of a bell—the kind that makes your hair stand up because you know exactly what’s coming next.
If you were at Citizens Bank Park on that Friday night in August 2025, you felt the ground shake. It wasn't just the 43,241 fans screaming. It was the introduction of a new era in Philadelphia closing. When the Phillies swung a massive trade deadline deal for Jhoan Duran, they didn't just get a guy who throws a "splinker" at 102 mph. They got a theatrical experience that makes "Enter Sandman" look like a lullaby.
The Jhoan Duran Phillies entrance is already being called the best in baseball, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that. It’s cinema. It’s a horror movie for opposing hitters. And for a fan base that has survived the cardiac-arrest-inducing bullpens of the last few years, it’s exactly the kind of swagger this city thrives on.
The Night the Lights Went Out in Philly
Let's talk about that first night against the Tigers. The Phillies had just clawed back to take a 5-4 lead in the eighth. Normally, this is where the anxiety starts to creep in. But the second the ninth inning rolled around, the stadium went pitch black.
Then came the red.
The entire ballpark’s LED system shifted into a deep, blood-red glow. On the massive PhanaVision screen, giant tarantulas (a nod to his "Durantula" nickname) started crawling through digital flames. It was menacing. It was loud. The Phillies' production crew, led by Mark DiNardo, actually reached out to the Twins' staff to make sure they got the transition right. That’s how much respect this entrance commands; the Twins literally sent over the audio files and graphics templates like a baton pass in a relay race.
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Duran emerged from the bullpen to a custom remix of Farruko’s "El Incomprendido" blended with Pitbull and Daddy Yankee’s "Hot." As he jogged toward the mound, thousands of fans held up their phone flashlights, creating this flickering, eerie galaxy in the stands. By the time he touched the dirt, the Tigers' hitters looked like they wanted to be anywhere else on Earth.
Why the Entrance Hits Different at Citizens Bank Park
There’s a specific energy in South Philly that you just don't get in Minnesota. No offense to the Twin Cities—they treated Duran well—but the "Red October" atmosphere is a different beast entirely.
Duran admitted after his debut that his heart was racing. He’s used to the big stage, but he said the Philly crowd made it feel like the playoffs in the middle of the regular season.
- The Psychological Edge: Closers are all about intimidation. When Billy Wagner used to come out to Metallica, the game felt over before it started. Duran has taken that 2004 energy and modernized it with a high-budget light show.
- The Collaboration: It’s pretty rare to see two teams cooperate on "fluff" like an entrance video. But the Phillies knew they had to get this right. They even added their own "Philly twists" to the Minnesota original, making it feel more aggressive.
- The Results: He only needed four pitches to close out that first game. Four. When you're throwing 99 mph splitters (the "splinker") after a five-minute psychological thriller of an entrance, hitters are basically guessing.
The Physics of the "Splinker"
We can't talk about the entrance without talking about why he's there in the first place. The Phillies traded top prospects Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait because their bullpen was ranked 24th in the league in ERA. They were desperate.
Duran isn't just a "hard thrower." He’s a freak of nature. He holds the record for the fastest offspeed pitch ever recorded—a split-finger that clocked in at 101.9 mph. Think about that for a second. Most starters can't hit 101 with their four-seam fastball, and this guy is doing it with a pitch that falls off a table.
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In 2025, his numbers have stayed elite. He’s sitting on a 2.06 ERA and has been arguably the most dominant reliever in the National League since the trade. The $7.5 million contract he just signed for the 2026 season looks like an absolute steal when you consider the stability he’s brought to the back end of that bullpen.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Spectacle
Some old-school fans (the "get off my lawn" types) think the light shows and the music are a distraction. They say, "Just throw the ball."
But they’re missing the point. In 2026, baseball is as much about the "vibe" as it is about the stats. The Jhoan Duran Phillies entrance serves a dual purpose: it pumps up the home crowd to a fever pitch, and it creates a "dead man walking" feeling for the away team. It’s a momentum builder.
Also, it’s worth noting that Duran himself feeds off it. He’s mentioned in interviews that the entrance helps him lock in. It’s his trigger. When the Undertaker bell rings, he stops being Jhoan Duran the dad playing in the backyard and becomes the guy who throws 104 mph.
The Logistics: How the Phillies Pull It Off
It’s not as simple as flipping a light switch. The Phillies' video team has to be in constant sync with the bullpen phone. If Rob Thomson makes a late change and calls for Matt Strahm instead, they have to pivot instantly.
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During the Tigers series, the crew actually showed up on an off-day Thursday just to run tests. They were essentially rehearsing a Broadway play. They wanted the timing of the "tarantula crawl" to hit exactly when he stepped onto the warning track. That level of detail is why it went viral on social media within minutes of his first appearance.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Attendees
If you’re heading to the Bank to see this in person, there are a few things you should know to get the full experience:
- Don't leave early: Even if the Phils are up by three in the 8th, stay for the top of the 9th. You’re paying for a show, not just a ballgame.
- Phone lights on: The tradition is now firmly established. When the lights go out, get your flashlight ready. It’s part of the "Red October" aesthetic now.
- Watch the bullpen gate: The entrance starts the second the gate swings open. Most people are looking at the big screen, but the real chill comes from seeing him emerge from the shadows in the red glow.
- Check the radar gun: After the entrance, keep your eyes on the scoreboard. Duran frequently touches 103 or 104. In the 2025 season, he threw more 100+ mph pitches than anyone else in the majors.
The Phillies are clearly all-in on this window of contention. Adding a weapon like Duran—and giving him the superstar treatment he deserves—is a signal to the rest of the league. The "Durantula" has arrived in Philadelphia, and he brought the fire with him.
To keep up with the latest velocity readings and save streaks, follow the official Phillies Statcast feed or check the live game notes on the MLB app during home stands.