Philadelphia sports fans are interesting people. They’re rude, outspoken, distasteful, annoying, obnoxious and downright disgusting.
If they don’t like you, they’ll let you know. If they like you, it’ll probably be a short-lived feeling (that is, wait until you screw up just once).
But you have to give Philadelphia fans at least one good quality: they’re loyal. And no one has seen this more than the Philadelphia Phillies.
Pat Burrell is the perfect example. When the crowd would boo, I’d be going crazy with my rally towel. Getting off to a rough start this season with a low batting average, he has more than redeemed himself with 30 homeruns. Will Phillie fans apologize? Probably not.
That’s the nature of the Philadelphia fan, the one who loves to hate. Some may call it devotion to the sport. Some may call it tough love. I call it Philadelphianism.
A Philadelphian will tell Charlie Manuel he doesn’t know how to manage. A Philadelphian will tell Adam Eaton he sucks. But most importantly, a Philadelphian is going to cheer “MVP” in reference to Jimmy Rollins despite his striking out four times in a playoff game.
It was a dismal showing today in the first playoff game of the 2007 postseason. Cole Hamels was choking under the pressure before getting his game together. The crowd cheered him in his walk back to the dugout after getting pulled, even after giving up three runs.
Local newscasts have a different mood tonight. The excitement that’s been there in recent days has been stunned. The Phils showed they are vulnerable in front of a more-than-sold out crowd, falling to the Rockies, 4-2.
But don’t you doubt that every seat and then some will be filled for tomorrow’s game.
I’ve been to more games this season than my bank account would prefer to see. At one point, I went to five games in a row. But there’s something about those Philadelphia fans that make those games worth it and all the more exciting.
But despite what happens in the 2007 playoff run, Citizens Bank Park will be filled to capacity for the 2008 season opener. That’s the Philadelphia fan.
