Philadelphia takes center stage
Cubs fans booed the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Dodger fans didn’t even fill Dodger Stadium for the playoffs. Red Sox fans, who have gone from feeling cursed to feeling entitled, gave their club an earful at Fenway Park, their club that won two of the last four World Series.
(Dirty little secret: a third of the ballpark had left before the Sawx’ big comeback in Game 5 of the ALCS. Boston fans bailed on a playoff game, a potentially decisive playoff game.)
And Tampa Bay Rays fans? They didn’t even start showing up until two weeks ago.
In the midst of it all, taking a beating for an undeserved and dogged rap, is the Philadelphia fan.
They booed Santa Claus in Philadelphia. They boo everybody in Philadelphia.
Yeah, so what. Like Elton Brand said, maybe Santa should have shown up with some gifts. Plus, that was 40 years ago. Who have we booed lately? Sarah Palin? Everybody knows she deserved it. You can”t expect to get by on your looks in Philly.
Fact is, it is the Philadelphia Fan who held up Brett Myers at the plate in the ALDS, who urged him on and willed him on. It is the Philadelphia Fan who has packed Citizens Bank Ballpark all year. It is the Philadelphia Fan who will be there in force in St. Pete, whether by transplant or travel, making Tropicana Field a little less friendly for its home team. (How many Rays fans do you think will organize a trip to the City of Brotherly Love this weekend?)
Through 124 years of futility in the Phillies’ 125-year history, through 10,000 losses, through the stench and anti-baseball atmosphere of the Vet, through bad trades, bad drafts, bad owners and bad players, the Philadelphia Fan has endured. This is our moment now. Win or lose (hopefully win), this is our time.
The Rays are the team with the mojo this year, an upstart bunch, an underappreciated and great ballclub. But they’re missing something. It is unjust, because it should be there, but it just isn’t there. The support isn’t there.
In the Phillies’ corner, for all the world to see, is the Philadelphia Fan.
Somebody has to win: The legacy of losing has to end for one of these teams.
Maddon”s Philly roots: Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon is drawing high praise in Florida for his winning ways borne out of a southeastern Pennsylvania upbringing.
Introducing the next President?: Rays pitching phenom David Price, on the heels of saving Game 7 of the ALCS, was selected to introduce Barack Obama at a rally in Tampa.
The Journal pick: Phillies in seven.
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