Fans Pampering The Phils?
Has Philly gone soft?
Although I don’t buy into all the ridiculous urban myths about Philadelphia fans (see the Santa incident that happened some 40+ years ago), I still will admit that we are a tough fanbase to please. We appreciate hustle and hard work and we’ll let the athletes know when we don’t like something.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel came out with a rather interesting quote, though, that I scratched my brain over.
“Our fans are still really into everything. They fill our ballpark up and they stay,” Manuel said. “I notice sometimes if fans are near our dugout and talking to our players, they always want to talk about last year. That’s good. I want them to keep coming to the games. But I want the fans to start telling them they want to win this year, too. Of course they love us and everything, but maybe they should get on them a little bit.”
Has Philly lost that edge after the Phillies’ magical 2008 championship run? Take a look at the 2008 playoffs, when the Phils didn’t lose a home game during the postseason. It was a house of horrors for visiting teams. In the 2009 season, however, the Phils’ home record is abysmal, while the road record is one of the best in the majors. How can that be?
I know that after 2008, I personally became slightly complacent. I’ve been hard at work shooting a new film most of the spring and summer so far and haven’t been able to pay as much attention to my Fightin’ Phils. I haven’t been getting angry or even that concerned over the poor starting-pitcher ERA and alarming number of home runs given up in the early going. Brad Lidge has blown several saves already and has an ERA over 9.00. Have I become so satisfied with the championship that I’ve granted the Phils a free pass?
During the Eagles’ 2008-09 playoff run, I know that I wasn’t too happy with their performance (or lack thereof) in the NFC Championship game. I felt angry and betrayed, as usual, with the Birds. But I seem to have been forgiven the Phils for past, present and future boneheaded mistakes.
Maybe Manuel has a point. Part of what gives the Phils such an edge at Citizens Bank Park is the cozy confines of the crowd. We push them to perform with greatness while intimidating the opposition. It seems the opposition plays carefree right now and the fans are forgiving of the home team’s mediocre play.
I do wonder though if it’s smart, though, to invite the storm and clouds to return to Philly. The worst thing in the world is to awaken sleeping giants.
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