Philly Fans

PHILLY FANS ARE GETTING SOFT…

AND IT’S A GOOD THING

                                                By John Leon

            For as long as one can remember, there have been no tougher fans than Philadelphia Fans. It’s a reputation that’s well deserved for numerous reasons, but as of late, the fans are starting to appreciate some athletes here and that never would have happened in the past.

            Are they going soft on us? Or are they starting to appreciate the athletes that come through the town WHILE they’re here instead of after. Mike Schmidt comes to mind, as the fans perceived that the Hall of Famer wasn’t putting out the all-out effort that they craved and wanted to see from their guys. It wasn’t until he retired that they finally realized that he was one of a kind and they missed the boat on letting him know how they felt about him.

            There’s a pretty good list that will bring venom to the passionate Philly Fan. Ricky Watters, Eric Lindros, Derrick Coleman, etc., players we couldn’t wait to get rid of and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

            On the other side was Bobby Clarke. The toothless leader of the Broad Street Bullies that could do no wrong, even to this day. Recently the fans have started to let the guys that came through the town, even for a short time, how they feel about their effort and how they played the games.

            Jim Thome, class personified, came to Philly and was welcomed by the men and women that were building Citizens Bank Park. So much so that they stopped the limo he and his wife were riding in to tell him how much they wanted him to come here on his free agent tour. Only Ryan Howard’s rise stopped Big Jim from continuing his bashing here. When he was traded, he left with the class and dignity he came with and will forever be part of Phillies lore.

            Allen Iverson, was a catalyst for 10 years for the Sixers, and we all know about the off field stuff, the “practice? We talking ‘bout practice, man!”, but he left his heart and soul on the court, being the smallest warrior ever to grace the Philly stage. When he returned to the Wachovia for the first time this year, the outpouring of love for the guy was almost unprecedented, to the point of watching this grown man reduced to tears at the sentiments of the fans.

            Aaron Rowand, the face first, hustling, clutch hitting centerfielder that the Phils let get away during free agency. Anyone who saw the Friday night game in town with the Giants for the first time when he was introduced could’ve guessed that he would be an out after the thunderous ovation from the fans. He was genuinely choked up at the reception he received from the faithful. He was here only two years but he’s a Philly guy, and that’s all there is to it.

            Philly Guys are the ones I just mentioned above. The guys that give you everything they have, the Rocky Balboa mentality, the blue collar man, etc., you can conjure up any number of clichés to describe the kind of players that fit here. Chase Utley, Chris Coste, Andre Miller, Brian Westbrook, Jeremiah Trotter, Mike Richards, Scotty Upshall and I’m sure I’ve left a few out, but you get the idea.

            Finally the Philly fans are starting to let these types of guys know, that they are appreciated for their effort and they are thriving on it.

Philly fans getting soft? Not hardly, remember they are the same fans that booed Santa Claus, but at least the appreciation for the players is a welcome sight.

Keep up the good work Philly Fans.