The Phillies Deserve it, But Does the City of Philadelphia Deserve a Title?
The Philadelphia Phillies are one game away from the team’s first World Series title in 28 years, and the franchise deserves it. By and large, they assembled a good team with balanced pitching and overpowering hitting.
But there’s a reason that the biggest story line surrounding this potential title is not about players, managers or ownership.
It’s about the City of Philadelhpia.
They relish being the most obnoxious fans in the world. Most fans like to be obnoxious, but very few carry the spirit around with them like an ATM card. These folks can deposit hate and withdraw disdain at will.
They have every reason to be frustrated. Across the major sports teams, they have waited impatiently for a winner. They got close with Allen Iverson and the Sixers, they’ve gotten close with Donovan McNabb and the Eagles, and they’ve gotten close with the Flyers.
But there are plenty of cities who’ve been through just as much letdown and suffering when it comes to sports. Kansas City hasn’t had a winner since 1985, but their city isn’t synonymous with unnecessary booing.
You can’t find a city that is more fair-weather faithful than Philadelphia. They adore when everything is going well, and despise when its not. Is it their right to voice their opinion? Absolutely. But you can bet a cheesesteak that if the Phillies don’t open the 2009 season with at least 10 wins in their first 15 games, everybody is on the hot seat.
New York, Los Angeles, the only threats there are the media. But when fans turn on you, people who take the time to stalk you, to call into radio talk shows and curse you out, to throw things at you from the stands, and to provoke you in the streets, you’re dealing with another level of scrutiny.
So, does Philly deserve a title? Knowing that fans prefer drama over success, knowing that they want to live with being third or fourth best, and never rise above, the answer is no. Philadelphia sports fans know deep down inside that success doesn’t suit them well. It would take the edge off of that hard-scrapping, don’t-take-no-mess aura that the city breeds in each of its citizens.
What would Philly be without booing? What would the city mean in the larger sports landscape if they were not America’s most hated sports town? They would be just like everyone else, and even in the all of the negativity, that’s something they can’t live with.
Philly doesn’t deserve a World Series title or any sports title. Not because they haven’t earned it, but because having it would reduce them to positive anonymity.
