IN ATLANTA last Friday, Braves fans littered the field after a bad call, forcing a long delay while groundskeepers cleaned the field not once, but twice.
»Read story: Sam Donnellon: Bad rep music
»Read story: Sam Donnellon: Bad rep music
- Poll: Which outfielder is the best fit for the Phillies?
Poll: How do you feel about the Phillies' offseason so far?
Forum: Sound off on the Phillies- Latest Phillies videos
- More Phillies coverage from High Cheese
- More coverage from The Phillies Zone
Comments (42)
Nats = one year wonders. Had their chance and blew it by sitting Strasburg.— Breaking Bad- Nats = one year wonders. Had their chance and blew it by sitting Strasburg.— Breaking Bad
- Nats = one year wonders. Had their chance and blew it by sitting Strasburg.— Breaking Bad
- @mtairy1, the article is about how bad behavior in other cities almost always includes a reference to Philly, even if it's got nothing to do with Philly. Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype.— maurysline
- Philadelphia is the target because generally national writers from New York use the city as the example of the more rowdy behavior that exists in the entire mid-atlantic and Northeast region. Once they established the focused misperception of Philly, every incident is blown up as typical fan behavior. MICK40 mischaracterizes the Linc based upon his personal experience. I am a seasnon ticket holder and his comment is BS!! Who cares that someone offered him a beer and brat in a Green Bay parking lot. I lived in Tampa and let me tell you, it is easy to go to sleep during their games. It is just something else to do. There is very little passion there. MtAiry1 is correct to call out boorish behavior, but the point is that it exists everywhere and is not typical of the vast majority of Philly fans that go to the games on a regular basis. Don't ever be an apologist for one of the greatest sports cities in the world!!! Also, really bad behavior is usually a function of maturity so age plays the greatest role in determining the percentage of bad behavior at any one particular time particularly at functions where alcohol exists.— psubrian
- Mick, I think thou protest too much. The notion that bad fan behavior originated in Philly, or is so terrible here relative to other cities is an absolute fallacy, a bunch of tired old cliches trotted out by lazy journalists. Did you know that a Bears fan was stabbed to DEATH by a Jaguars fan last weekend? You know, in Jacksonville, the same state as your beloved Tampa? I guess it wasn't front page news because it didn't involve a Philly team....
I suggest you read former PA Governor Ed Rendell's letter printed in Philly.com - here's a link:
http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-23/sports/29178683_1_meanest-fans-santa-claus-incident-eagles-cowboys— NYC sucks - I so disagree with Baldy's brother....and I hate that we are constantly brought into any discussion about bad fans......I mean, there had to be 50,000 people in the stands that day and only about 75 or 80 actually hit Santa with a snowball......— Mark1npt
- sub21...we are not that hard working...wake up...there are at least 47% sitting on their tail and many of the 53% don't work a full 8...give it a rest. In the 40s and 50s we were blue collar— Friend to All
I hope @Mick40, you come back here to read the responses to your taking a shot at Philly, through the thin veneer of a subjectively enhanced horse blinker view. You see, though I've been back in Philly almost two years now, I registered here while marooned in the loathsome city on Earth, New York City. To a fan or citizen alike, there were never so many cold-blooded, uncaring, egotistical, self-absorbed people gathered on so small an island. To call their behavior boorish, would be a compliment.
So you've relocated to that bastion of "history", Tampa Bay? I'm sure the fascinatingly limited civic history of that city, a retirement community/vacation destination, is of limitless interest for any young adult.
Did you show your son Olde City? Elfreth's Alley? Independence Hall or the new Federal exhibit Center? I was fascinated to see the rejuvenation in my decade away from Philadelphia, then again, with an interest in History, second only to my love of all teams Philly, I find your representations very narrow, your commentary very telling about what you do in your spare time. Try spending time away from just Sports, and understand the word, "PERSPECTIVE", something you clearly lack.- Very poor job of disputing any of Mick's points. Love all the historical points of interest you bring up and love everything about Philly but definitely wouldn't take my kids anywhere near the Linc. I've taken them to the Bank but that's usually a different type of crowd. Why do you go on to bash Tampa? What does that have to do with his point? How is any of his experience "taking a shot" at Philly? It was pretty factual and based on his/her own experience. Relax! — vafan
- Philly is stuck between Washington and New York, the two media centers of the country. That these cities also happen to be sporting and economic rivals explains why the negative national image keeps being portrayed that makes Philly fans the absolute worst. They don't like us, and use their pulpit to sing it to the world. I was explaining to someone just today that no one talks about the nice fans, or the ones happy to show an out of town fan the way to their seats. We exist and have a disdain for the idiots who keep giving these national news people food for an easy target.— Timmy
- My good friend told me that when him and his now wife flew to San Fran for the NFC Championship last year, 3 dudes tried to fight him WHILE he was at the urinal. He said it was ten times worse there than it ever was here. NOt to mention that many come to town looking to see "how tough" Philly fans really are. I once had a Mets fan try to light the back of my shirt on fire with a lighter WHILE she had her 4 year old daugther with her, in the Jetro parking lot. Totally un provoked might I add. But that doesnt mean that ever Met fan tries to light me on fire. WE went to Shea its last year and sat next to a very nice family of Mets fans.
I think Sam's point is valid: how often do fights in other cities over sports end up on the front page of ESPN like the "post-winter classic" blowout this past January? There was not a word from anyone when Atlanta fans intentionally tried to injure umps and security by throwing debris directly at them. Yet some idiot throws a battery or two at JD Drew and people still talk about. Its insane and its sad to characterize a base with so much bad behavior going on at every venue.— frstrm - As far as I'm concerned, mick and Mtairy1, you have a right to your opinion through your own experience. I agree with the way Donnellon presented details in this article(not a challenging article, I might add), but I disagree with the headline and the general premise - the old "stop lumping Philly fans with bad fans" stuff. Frankly, it would be nice for a columnist in this town to simply criticize incidents of bad behavior, instead of pandering to Philly to sell newspapers or a book in the future(a la Macnow, Cuz, Cataldi, etc). The KC fans were sickening; just come right out and say that. No matter how much Jason Whitlock can defend their loyalty and putting up with the questionable product they have had for almost a decade, the behavior last Sunday was disgusting. As for the Braves fans, I guess it is better that most of them don't show up on a regular basis, because they clearly can't handle being at a sporting event. I keep hoping that one of these columnists actually has an idea on how to stop this behavior instead of pandering. Do people really want to stop this behavior, or is it going to continue to be passively defended(a la KC's Baldinger)?— 76erfn
- Interesting responses to my post though some of you inferred bizarre things. I grew up in the Philly area but there are issues there with the fans. Is it a sterotype? Yes. Is it all Philly fans? No. Are there idiots in other stadiums? Of course. But is the reputation earned? Yes. I'm not sure what the history comment is but, yes, my boys have touched the Liberty Bell, gone to Independance Hall the Art Museum and even saw trees with no leaves without issues or having people cursing and being drunk. Since I've been in Tampa I've seen the Bucs win the Super Bowl, the Lightning the Stanley Cup, the Rays making the WS (I went in my Phillies hat w/o issue), two Super Bowls, three Outback Bowls, the Final Four and the Frozen Four. It's a fun sports town and certainly not Philly. It's more like a happy college town...where you can enjoy the game. See ya in December when the Eagles play the Bucs. My boys will be wearing their Eagles stuff at RayJay...and will be safe. Gotta go to the beach now. It gives me perspective.— Mick40
- I've been going to one Eagles game every fall from here on the Alabama Gulf Coast for at least 12 years, and I have never had any issues whatsoever with opposing fans. The KC tailgaters were especially welcoming. I used to be of the "if you don't like it, don't wear an opposing team's jersey in Philly'' mindset. But my experiences on the road have turned me 180 on this. If opponents' fans are like me, they're regular Joe's spending a big chunk of their vacation funds to check out our city and they are as passionate about pro football as we are. With the exception of Cowboy fans of course, we'd be happy to be stuck beside them talking football on an airplane. That being said, booing/cheering at injured players and beating an opposing team's fan to near death don't belong in the same story.— mulletman
Today in Philly Sports
Each week, cartoonist Rob Tornoe offers his take on Philly sports and asks you to help finish it. Click here to enter this week's contest.
Local display advertising by PaperG
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
