These Are The Days of Legend and Featuring The Best Fans in America
Congratulations. As Phil’s chief Dave Montgomery said, “This is for the fans of Philadelphia.”
Why not. For decades, even before I got here, and that was long ago in another century, Philadelphia fans gave it everything they got – enthusiasm, money, energy, devotion. They kept coming back for more, and more and even more, until they got the moment. And last night, or tonight, if you’re still celebrating was the moment. 30 years from now, the kids of today will be telling their kids and others about the moment. They will talk about the players, and the games – especially what will be remembered as the great Monday night game that lasted 48 hours. The moment saw hundreds of thousands in the streets, fireworks and more, and the inevitable laughter and tears.
It’s easy to point the fingers in the right direction: the team, the manager, the front office and all that baseball stuff and drama that sent shivers up your spine in this electrifying 2008, the year of Utley, Ryan, Feliz, Ruiz and Jimmy. This was the year of lefty Hamels and ageless Moyers and that Lidge guy who was really perfect.
Much will be written and more will be said, but let me bring you a piece of history.
Eagles – through 48 years, since the last championship, the Eagles were almost always sold out.
The Flyers – Two Cups and lots of lean years in between. The fans never left.
Sixers — No trophy since 1983, but enduring fans who keep hoping.
Big Five — The greatest City teams in the world, with a national championship in 1985.
Phillies - Victory in 1980, two pennants in between and the great 08 experience.
In between those moments, the fans were always there, in person, paying the way, watching on TV , listening on the radio, and sticking to it.
This may sound corny, but I believe the fans of this community help make champions by their intensity and demand for excellence.
Congratulations to the World Champions, and the very best fans in a community that prides itself as the best place to live in America.
One more item – a cheap shot to all those network broadcasters in baseball, football and all the sports who create images of the Philadelphia sports fans that are exaggerated and full of you know what.
And Tim McCarver should demand a better sidekick.
Comments(6)
PHILLIES WIN!!PHILLIES WIN!!PHILLIES WIN!!
Larry,you forgot to mention the skipper CHARLIE MANUEL he pushed all the right buttons,and will be a all time Phillies fan favorite.
It’s good Comcast put that William Penn statue atop their new building, seems to have done the trick for our superstitious city!
Arrrrrr. The Rays didn’t come back. Now I has no hope for McCain and Palin. Arrrrrr.
A great win at home for the Phillies. Although I have to say my walk to work was made more difficult because a number of crossing signals around City Hall were smashed.
Now that the championship drought is over, Larry can resume his focus on FREE AIR. Go Phillies!
Guess everyone is at the parade except me!
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Hey guys, why does everyone forget about the Philadelphia Athletics. Connie Mack and the A’s had 5 World Series Championships, 9 American Penants and finished 14 times in the first division, 7 of those were 2nd place in the American League. I remember when they pulled out of Philly and went to KC but you can’t take it away from them, they were part of Philadelphia history.