bignick33 {l Wrote}:Bryn Mawr Eagle {l Wrote}:bignick33 {l Wrote}:eagle9903 {l Wrote}:Sports blow.
Not to be a dick, but the general sense of entitlement of Phillies fans this year may have even exceeded that of Red Sox fans. So, I am not displeased by their early exit.
Having grown up here in Philly and suffered through years of shitty baseball, I have to say I smile when seeing statements like this. I still can't believe people hate us because of our success. We still can't believe the string of good fortune we've had the past few years. And it's taken some time to learn to expect to win. The problem is that the window for success is starting to close as the core group who got us here (Rolllins and Utley to name two) begin to slowly decline. 2008 is starting to seem like a very long time ago.
I don't hate the Phillies or their fans, and if I weren't a Red Sox fan, I'd feel the same way about us (I thought I made that clear too). So throw that comment out the window. I was just making an observation that all the Phillies fans I know are legitimately shocked that they didn't win the World Series. They're blindsided by it. That being said, your point about dealing with their suckitude forever is well-taken. Don't forget that as a Boston fan born in the early 80s, I didn't see a championship in my childhood either, so I know exactly what you're talking about.
In any event, it wasn't meant to be mean-spirited, and I hope people from Philly don't start apologizing for the fact that they'll be the favorite to win the pennant for at least the next couple of years, either.
Philly sports were so bad for so long (often truly terrible, not just a lack of championships) that I completely understand the sentiment behind thse posts. Red Sox fans pre-2004 had the history of 1918 spliced with coming so close every generation, yet failing. It was a painful narrative that really can't be overstated (try as the press did). Philly fans had 1980 and lots of bad teams, with some memorable ones and some total chokes thrown in. Naturally, the Cubs and Chi Sox fans had/have their droughts as well. All of those situations sucked the life out of fans as a group.
Sports can be very personal too. Think of the 25 y/o ND graduate that claims all of the past football glory for his own, but is sickened by the current state of affairs. For me, I grew up rooting for Don Mattingly and loved old timer's day, but Mel Hall didn't bring in any rings, so until 1996 I was a pretty miserable prick of a fan. Up to that time, there was no question that a Mets fan my age had enjoyed a much more enjoyable fan experience from birth. Things have changed.