Blame Philadelphia?
Ok, they battled back from 6 - 0 and touched Papelbon before rolling over in extra innings. But by dropping three to the Red Sox, the Phils have lost their fifth series in a row. They're a fin below .500. Their ace has control problems. Their bullpen leaks. Their manager seems to spend the whole game with his head in his hand. Blame's traveling around the horn. How about we start with Philadelphians?
That's the view of The Phanatic, a season-old blog by a Philly sportswriter named John McMullen. Blame the whole city.
McMullen, a staffer for Football.com, starts off his post by ripping former Phillie pitcher Todd Jones for ripping Philadelphia fans in the current Sporting News.
That's something only a Philadelphian is allowed to do, apparently, because McMullen then finishes off what the reliever started.
"I'm tired of the way fans in this city are viewed around the rest of the country," McMullen begins. Most Americans, he says, don't think evolution reached these parts. Exhibit A: Jones' view of jeers around the majors.
Jones' column is headlined "We get our Phil of screeching fans:"
New York and Boston fans are the most knowledgeable and so have the most barbed hecklers, Jones writes. They make it a point to know the names of the players' mothers. Midwest fans are most polite; the crowd in St. Louis will control the local loons. L.A. fans only bother to yell at the Giants. In Canada, they cheer loudest for the catcher because he reminds them of a goalie. He kids, he kids.
But Philly ...
Starting his defense of the city, McMullen argues that the vast majority of Philadelphia fans just want to go to a game and enjoy themselves. It's the minority who scream obscenities, oblivious to the 5-year-old girls in the crowd. The problem in Philadelphia, he writes, is that "the minority has taken over."
Philadelphia, he says is what's wrong with the Phillies.
No comments yet on McMullen's blog, but Jones' words have prompted a response or two from Philadelphia fans.
From APNEff: Philly fans do know the game and I have been to New York and Boston and it is the same there. Anyway if a fan pays 20 to 40 dollars to get in a game they should have a right to criticize players. Hey if i was making as much as you just because God graced me with a talent I would turn my back on the comments and drive away in my BMW.
From Jambone40: The article singles out events that have occurred over the last 40 years. But there are many more instances of Philly fans doing the right thing. They don't mention the standing ovation Doug Drabek received after he lost his no-hitter against the Phillies even though he pitched for the hated Pirates. The fact is Philly fans appreciate results. We want to embrace our athletes. You don't have to be a superstar, just play hard. Aaron Rowand is a God in Philly because of his attitude, Bobby Abreu is under-appreciated because he doesn't bust it for every fly ball.
This is the second time Todd Jones has singled out Philly fans in less than a year. Why can't he just let go, we forgot about him after the 2004 season.
Unfortunately it is a little harder finding defenses from fans not from here.
Philadelphians, there is no bigger fan of the sports teams than myself. Having said that, the fans are a large part of the problem. The Philadelphia fan truly knows little about sports. What the Philadelphian fan will do, is regurgitate over and over and over what they hear on the radio, see on tv, and read in print. They are followers, not leaders. I know that positive energy is contagious. When our quarterback makes a poor throw (cause God forbid he should end the game any less than a perfect 35/35) they boo. Guy strikes out, he obviously isnt trying. Turnover by anyone other than AI, Boo his arese. That has become contagious. Sorry fans, we are phonies. Philadelphia fans would rather continue putting up the front that they are tough, go to games, get bombed, versus caring for their team and their players. If $20 bucks gives me the right to boo, then let me know where half of these fans work, I will purchase one of their products making me the customer, and then I will call them to tell them they suck. I will then call Eskin to tell him you suck, and hopefully tonight, someone will read my email on the air on DNL telling the entire world over and over again in painful detail how much you suck. Boo Philly!
Dude... Phillyville don't get no respect. As for the previous commenter, Phillyville don't got no monopoly on cretins. Sports fans everywhere are idiots.