After a long hiatus from writing about the Phils, it’s high time to revisit the very grounds for the creation of the Grow Up page. The reason I haven’t written about the Phillies in some time is that I have been more nervous than B Rabbit on open mic night at the Shelter. Who can blame me? After all, we’re talking about a team that has been in existence since 1883 and has only one World Series to its name. A team that just this season surpassed the 10,000 loss mark. To top it off, they did it in true fashion, a 10-2 drubbing served up by the St. Louis Cardinals at home and on national television.
Suffice it to say, Phillie Phans have had to endure a long and undistinguished history of losing baseball. A few bright spots here and there have colored the Phillies beleaguered past, but those occurrences are few and far between. Most writers will say that Cubs fans have had to endure more heartache than any other franchise's following. There's no denying their suffering. I just don't think that it compares to the pain of a Phillies fan. After all, they have one 2 World Series, have appeared in 10 and have only lossed 9400 games. They are the lovable losers. We are the losers everyone loves to hate, especially in the national media.
It's true that we have Harry Kalas and the best mascot in all of sports. But, there has to be more than listening to a Hall of Fame voice and catching a glimpse of a streaking green furry Phanatic that keeps the Phillies fans coming back for more. It's not that we are gluttons for punishment. And it's not that we come to the ball park to suck down Philly Cheesesteaks, Bulls BBQ and Crab Fries. I believe that we want to believe in something greater than ourselves.
The 2007 Phillies give us that something to believe in. Call it chemistry or brotherly love, but these Phillies really bonded well and united, as a team. They battled together, side by side, with no one player more important than the other. Team, team, team, team. Through that battle, they grew together and grew on the city.
It’s true, they have their flaws, but so do we, as fans. I, for one, am guilty of being overly critical and I have a tendency to slightly overreact. My first quarter review was extremely harsh. But, I stand by it. That’s the way I felt. Baseball is a game of emotions, ups and downs. How a team deals with those peaks and valleys ultimately determines its degree of success.
Being a fan, however, is different. We’re there for every game, night in, night out. We play hookie to get out of work or school, we tailgate before the game, we debate who should be in the starting lineup, we cheer, we boo, we celebrate or lament, and we sit through traffic and listen to post game analysis on our drive home. We ride the emotional roller coaster over and over again. The major distinction between player and fan is that the player can affect the outcome of a game. The fan is a mere spectator forced to watch from a distance. The fate of the fan rests in the hands of another. What other hobby or pastime can engage so much without actual participation?
This rare form of personal commitment without a tangible contribution to the outcome makes it even more difficult for me to corral my emotions. Countless times I could be heard screaming incoherent gibberish at Adam Eaton for surrendering run after run as he continues to miss the plate like Rick Vaughn without glasses. All the while, he has this blank look on his face like it doesn't bother him at all that he sucks because he conned Pat Gillick into giving him $24 million over 3 years. Guys like Eaton and Bobby Abreau make the paradigm tough to digest.
On the other hand, guys like JRoll, Chase, Howard, Victorino and Rowand embody what it means to be a Phillie. Hard work, integrity, dedication and a desire to win for yourselves, your teammates and the city you represent. These guys share what Phillie fans have, heart. As corny or sensationalized as that sounds, it’s true. Heart can be exaggerated in sport, but when it’s real there is no denying it. It’s the heart of this team that makes them endearing. Knowing that these guys wear Red and White Pinstripes gives me the sense that this team has a legitimate chance.
I care so much about the 2007 Phillies that it’s definitely unhealthy. When they lose, I feel like I lost. When they win, well, I don’t know what that feels like. But, there is no doubt that I’ll be on the edge of my seat watching every pitch hoping that they do deliver a World Series Championship to Philadelphia. And since I've put in more sweat and tears in supporting the Phillies than Adam Eaton has playing for them, I think I should get his ring and his $24 million.
