Credit: Fringe Bar.
Having a doppelganger can have its advantages.
While the Phillies battled the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park, an Ambler family was celebrating a win of their own, miles away at a unique Nick Castellanos look-alike contest in Philadelphia.
Michael Penna, a 44-year-old Ambler native and die-hard Phillies fan, took home first prize at Fringe Bar’s Friday night watch party, where dozens gathered not just to see the game, but to celebrate one of Philly’s quirkiest new traditions. Wearing eye black and gear reminiscent of Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos, Penna outshined the competition to win a set of Hall of Fame suite tickets to a future Phillies game.
Penna, a father of 10-year-old twin girls Ariana and Mikayla, was signed up for the contest by his family on their way back from vacation. His wife, Nicole, said it was a no-brainer.
“My husband loves that everyone in our town of Ambler thinks he looks like Nick,” she said in an interview. “There were about 30-something people who recommended I sign him up.”
Decked out with homemade props and even a hidden Uncrustable sandwich (a Castellanos staple), Penna embraced the moment. “It was fun to see so many people there just having a good time,” he said. “A lot of camaraderie — we’re just there because of how we look, I guess.”
Nicole, who watched him wink at her from the stage, was all smiles. “It’s nice to see that he catches everybody else’s eye, not just mine.”
Even daughter Mikayla chimed in: “He’s the most Nick Castellanos person I know… just with a little more grays.”
The Castellanos contest is the latest in a trend of look-alike events popping up around Philly and beyond — joining past tributes to Jason Kelce and Jalen Hurts. But for Ambler residents, Michael’s win makes it feel like the town now has its own hometown hero in the spotlight.
