About 2008

If you were born in Philadelphia, then you get it.  I was born near the end of 1982 and have yet to witness a championship.  Every time my grandfather talks about Wilbert Montgomery, my ears perk up.  Sure we have 4th and 26, but it was no immaculate reception. Also, there are those who dwell among us who choose to root for other teams.  It doesn’t matter if they have 5 Superbowl rings or none; it disgusts us.  We wish you would just admit you are a fraud and leave us alone.  Some fans have migrated here, and to them we respect their loyalty and might even enjoy their company (unless they are Giants fans).  There is no such thing as a moral victory – we need a champion.  Our greatest sports hero is fictional, but our passion is real.  We have the 33-year-old rookie, the Answer (*had), and the greatest 3rd basemen of all time, but no title.  We have also had more then our share of idiots.  Some were great players who said the wrong things (“we’re talking about practice” and “for who, for what?”), and some aren’t even worth mentioning.  We have “The Sign Guy”, and the best cheesesteaks, soft pretzels & Tastycakes in the whole world.

If you are like me, you root for the Eagles and whoever is playing the Cowboys that week.

If you are like me, you might have tried living somewhere else in this country, but soon realized reading about your teams in the paper and having to watch another team’s kickoff at 1:00 just wouldn’t cut it.  You also missed WIP, even though now you can listen online and even call in if you want.

If you are like me, you say you are “done” after every season.  But hope springs eternal, and Spring Training brings new life and a clean slate.

If you are like me, you went a Phillies game at the Vet when you were a kid and still remember that day better than anything.  The smells, the sights, the sounds.  Then you joined little league and insisted your dad get you on “The Phillies”.  I won a championship as a Tiger, but my one year as a Phillie is etched in my memory forever.  “The Dude” was my hero – I even have had 2 broken collar bones in my lifetime just like him.

If you are like me, you love Brian Westbrook. Period.

And if you are like me, you would give almost anything for a parade.

So go ahead and read, complain, laugh, cry, and enjoy what little success we get in this city.  Do what I have learned to do, and enjoy the small victories to keep you going until we finally win it all.