Rant: Phillies

[430752]

Okay, meaningless to most, but if there are any Philadelphia lovers out there, please take note. And nope, got no gripe against the Phils winning the Series. Good for them, not only did they earn it, but they're a deserving franchise and city.

But, my gripe is this whole hulabaloo about the city's sports franchises not having won any major professional sport championship (defined as the big 4 leagues, the Phila Soul thus not counting) for a combined 99 years. This was just republished in Sports Illustrated in this week's issue on the Phils, for which two different co-workers today mentioned to me. But I don't get it, is that like a long time or something? Do you get an award?

Cuz if so, I gotta say we've got to strip that award from the Phils or the City of Brotherly Love since I can say that as of this minute my hometown, the City of Chicago, hasn't won a major sport championship in over 100 years in all combined franchises. This is because the cubs, alone, one franchise, hasn't won in a 100 (since 1908). Now if we add in the blackhawks (longest drought in all the NHL, since 1961) and the Bulls (since 98) and the Bears (since 85) and the whitesox (since 2005), we get a total of 183 years! Which is almost double of Philadelphia.

So, please shutup and enjoy your rings. I rooted for you, don't make me regret it.


(and maybe there needs to be a suffering-o-meter, judging the time of all franchises of a city to last overall win. I'm guessing Chicago is worst, with boston being best since the redsox, celtics and pats winning within the last few years)

[Uncle Cracker]

Don't think anybody there is trying to imply that Philly is the longest-suffering sports town. That "honor" would easily fall on another city. The Cubs have certainly provided their share of shame in Chicago, with long-tenured mega-stars there who never played in a World Series there even once (like Ernie Banks or Ryne Sandberg). But many also remember strong years for the Bears or the domination of the Bulls in the Michael Jordan era, so it hasn't been all misery in Chi-town.

[Ed62]

I'm still enjoying the season Bobby Hull and Stan Makita had with the Blackhawks. Well, at least I enjoyed it at the time. Nothing beat the World Series win by the White Sox. Of course I can't say I didn't enjoy Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen's run with the Bulls. Even the Bears have had a good year or two. Chicago hasn't had it that bad.

Ed

[dbhost]

Dude, I have lived in cities like Cleveland, and Houston where the sports teams suck so bad, tha tI simply don't care anymore...

[Black wallnut]

Don't think anybody there is trying to imply that Philly is the longest-suffering sports town. That "honor" would easily fall on another city. The Cubs have certainly provided their share of shame in Chicago, with long-tenured mega-stars there who never played in a World Series there even once (like Ernie Banks or Ryne Sandberg). But many also remember strong years for the Bears or the domination of the Bulls in the Michael Jordan era, so it hasn't been all misery in Chi-town.

Ryne Sandberg......now that name opens up the floodgates of my memories. At my very first high school convocation my HS retired his football jersey number. Yessir he had graduated from my hs the year before I attended. North Central High School Spokane, WA his year 1978; mine 1982! Their ball field (baseball) was named after him. I was the first class out of our new school.

[Uncle Cracker]

Ryne Sandberg......now that name opens up the floodgates of my memories.

Mine too... In the latter stages of his career, he rehabbed an injury with the then-Cubs Class A affiliate in nearby Orlando. As a hopeless Grapefruit League addict, my friends and I, a couple of whom are die-hard homegrown Cubs fans, hung out at a couple of games here. Despite the effective security that could have kept him isolated, he opted to mingle with us and others before the games, and just talk baseball. He's a very gracious class act. There are many others likewise, who stick out like shining lights from all the spoiled, pampered prima donas. They make schlepping around the stadiums in spring training an unforgettable experience.

[Woodwerker]

I was 5 years old as my father took me by the hand and led me to Broad and Snyder on a faithful day when the Phillies won their last world series. Since that day 28 years ago (aside from the sixers 3 years later) I have not felt what it is like to win a championship as a sports fan. I would not say that I am the biggest fan in this city. I am pretty close, season tix to the Phills since 92' only missed watching 4 games this whole season, have Season tix to the Eagles as well. My wife and I had our first date at a Phillies game at the Vet in 1993. We are an undying Phila sports fan family. We wake up to 610 WIP and go to bed watching whatever game that is on. Last week I took my 5 year old daughter by the hand the night the last game was about to be played, looked her in the eyes and said "the last time our city achieved the greatest level of success in any sport, Daddy was your age" She looked at me and said "WOW that’s a long time daddy”
Through Joe Carter, Buddy Ryan, Katz, Bramann, The Philles owners who were a mystery group for years, 10,000 losses, and unending days and nights of pain. Replaying Joe Jurivious running back the interception that led Tampa over the Eagles in one of the 3 NFC Championship games that they lost, before getting to the Dance only to have NE tear our hearts out again. We have felt pain, a pain that Chicago can not fathom, with 6 NBA titles in their back pockets, and a Super Bowl, Something else we have never tasted.
100 seasons matters in this town, because in this town sports matters. This is not like NY where they move on after the game and look at full trophy cases. We have lived the pain, and have the scars to prove it. If it seems that I am bitter, I am sorry. Its just one of those rare things that fit the phrase, "if you’re not from here, you really just don't get it"