No Championships, But We Have Champions
In Philadelphia, as I’ve always said, you’re only as good as your last show, or in the case of the Philadelphia Eagles, your last game.
It is kind of sad not to appreciate a champion. And although he was injured again, it would be sad for local fans not to savor the career of Donovan McNabb. The guy has been fearless, creative, and is a fantastic role model. He plays like a champion. What people in this town don’t see is the big picture. Sure, we have not had a championship here since 1983, but we have been given more thrills per minute from McNabb than any sports fans have in the country.
I hope he recuperates well.
On the Monday after the Eagles loss of Donovan McNabb to injury, we got the word that another class player was named the Most Valuable Player in the National League. What Ryan Howard gave to the fans can never be measured by the standard measurements of baseball - a pennant and a World Series. The young star gave us something to cheer about in a season marked by distractions and frustrations. And in the middle of it all, there was none of that ego-maniacal behaviour that is the mark of many in pro sports. Howard is now a Philadelphia legend, and like Donovan McNabb, stands for the best in sports - hard work and an ethic of teamwork.
We don’t have championships yet. But we DO have champions. This is a city that has Donovan McNabb, Ryan Howard and Alan Iverson. Can you ask for a better trio of superstars?
I think the big problem is the fact that some of the sports writers in this town are so darn negative. They feed the frustrations of angry sports fans. Anger is not healthy. Winning and losing are part of life, and sports.
On the subject of losing:
There was good news in the publishing world.
The decision by Fox to cancel the O.J. book entitled. “If I Did It”, is the rightful ending to a sad chapter in publishing history. Along with the scheduled TV specials, the entire project is now in the waste bin. This is a victory of public opinion over a sickening attempt to make a buck off the backs of two murder victims.
Philadelphia has always been a great sports city. The folks in Philly are probably among the smartest in the sports for which they cheer. They do, however, tend to be fickle (slight hint of sarcasm). When we’re winning - ALRIGHT! But when we’re losing - throw the bums out; bag the manager; trade the team. It is awesome the talent that Philly sports teams attract. Good selection of a superstar trio, Larry - I hope that the fans can appreciate them. I live in Arizona now, but I have been a die-hard Phillies fan, through thick and thin (mostly thin). I cheered them when I was a kid, I cheered them when Steve Carlton singlehandedly won nearly half of their games in the early/mid 70s, and I cheered them when they were World Series Chamiopns when I lived in California. I am a fan today, and I drink coffee from a Phils coffee cup. It is a little more difficult to see them as much as I’d like, but satellite TV takes care of a lot of that. I have been an ‘Iggles’ (Eagles) fan as long, and love to watch the birds. I tell folks that I am a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, and whoever is playing Dallas :-)
I never got much into hockey, but remember fondly the days of the Broad Street Bullies and our Stanley Cup victories, and the Sixers never thrilled me much (NBA Basketball doesn’t do a thing for me). I am a HUGE fan of Big 5 Basketball, and the Villanova Wildcats are ‘My Team’ - my Mom worked for VU for many years before she passed away, and knew Rollie Massimino well. Come March Madness, I’ll be marking my bracket to see the ‘Cats (Villanova’s and Arizona’s) high in my bracket.
“On the subject of losing”? This is a win for decent Americans everywhere that the Simpson thing is dying on the vine. No doubt some company will do something with it to try and make a buck. Mr. Simpson needs to do a lot of soul searching, whether he ‘did it’ or not. I mean, what WAS he thinking? Oh yeah - here’s how I WOULD have done it if I DID do it… give me a break!
Mr. Kane, Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. Thank you for your contributions over the years to great journalism, and to cyberspace!