There’s a terrific article on the front page of today’s San Jose Mercury News about the ‘dark side’ of Phillies fandom.
But first, I’d like to THANK all the really p.o.’d Phillies fans who responded to my blog posted on Monday. ALL of the comments were critical of my opinion. Fair enough. But MOST of them were unprintable because of the level of hate and profanity. I can’t put that kind of stuff on my jolly little blog.
But I DO APPRECIATE you taking the time to comment (as I take any readers I can get). If I had time, I would have liked to comment on the illogical thinking in a lot of the comments, such as “moron” means “evil” (not true). OR disapproving of obnoxious signs and white rally towels does not have anything to do with Jewish or black people. Huh?
Oh well, like I said, I need readers. So to the disgruntled Phillies fans: I also wrote one criticizing your team/organization on Sunday, October 17th. Y’all could take a peek at that one, too, if you don’t mind!
To the SF Giants fans: Not one single stinkin’ comment of support from you guys. Sheesh.
Back to today’s newspaper article written by Bruce Newman. Isn’t that the same guy who wrote the sycophantic puff-piece praising the unwatchable movie, Eyes Wide Shut? If so, Mr. Newman has come to his senses!
In the article, Giants broadcaster and former Phillies pitcher Mike Krukow (how much do you LOVE that guy?!) is quoted as saying that the level of hate in SF is only 30% of the level in Philadelphia. He thinks it’s because SF fans have other outlets for their anxieties and Phillies fans do not.
Mitch Williams (former Phillies relief pitcher and current broadcaster) concurs. He says that Phillies fans mortgage homes to buy season tickets. (Yikes!) He continues, “It’s not a social event. It’s a way of life.”
Mr. Newman said Mr. Williams conceded that many Phillies fans “act like idiots” and are frequently “out of control.” Mr. Newman also mentioned the Phillies fan (whose name I will sully my blog with) that is now serving a prison sentence for his actions at a Phillies game.
Here’s Mr. Newman’s best line: “On the whole, however, fan animus—faniums!—defines the City of Brotherly Loathe.” Great sentence and sums up my feelings about the team that wears white and moron red. (See my Monday blog, please!!)
I wonder why the hate is more prevalent in Philadelphia. I think it has to do with the state of America in general. We have a lying sack of political toadies running our nation along with a nefarious bunch of greedmeisters running our financial institutions. How is the little guy supposed to get ahead? How are Americans supposed to achieve the American dream?
The malaise that permeates our once-and-not-so-much-great nation manifests itself in the form of one set of baseball fans hating on another team. Really sad. (For America AND baseball.)
But I kinda get it. The hideous signs that Phillies fans hold up in the stadium are a reflection of the dissatisfaction that regular people feel about their lives.
** The signs are a sign of our times. **
Today I am wearing my lucky orange sweater to work, which previously I had refused to wear anywhere else except AT&T Park (because it doesn’t match my color palette!). I am hoping my orange vibe sails down Highway 101 to San Francisco and helps spur the Giants to victory—toady and tomorrow.
Because I worry for the Giants’ mental and physical health if they have to return to Philadelphia.
Monday’s blog:
http://fuchsiawoman.com/blog/live/phillies-fans-show-true-colors-of-being-morons/
Sunday’s blog:
http://fuchsiawoman.com/blog/live/phillies-bush-league-performance-vs-the-sf-giants/
Go Dodgers!!!
Ernest Hemingway~ There’s nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self.