The Phillies advanced to the World Series yesterday. I’m elated.
Since I’ve lived in many different places, I often have conversations with people telling them that I am from Philadelphia. Inevitably, one of the topics that always comes up is “ah you guys are the craziest sports fans.”
It’s more than just a fan frenzy. It’s deeper than that.
The Underdog Story
Every kid I grew up with and every single person who was raised in Philadelphia is brought up to be an underdog.
Philly is a working class town. These people work HARD!.
Early mornings, late nights, work in the cold and most of all, don’t complain.
There are some cultural reasons for this. For instance, Philadelphia was founded on Quakerism and the Protestant ethos of “hard work being salvation” are still found in the roots and the bloodline of the city.
Since we are little boys and girls, we are taught about Rocky.
And I don’t mean taught in the same way we are taught about nursery rhymes. I mean we learn about Rocky as though he were a real person, like George Washington. We are taught that no matter what, even if we don’t win, we need to finish the fight. We need to go all 12 rounds. That way, win or lose, we can always hold our heads held high.
Philly Sports
Ever since I was little, I was told that I love the Eagles, I love the Flyers, I love the Sixers and I love the Phightin’ Phills!
That’s why I understand why grown men cried after The Eagles won the Super Bowl. I cried.
My most prized possession is a Brian Dawkins jersey I’ve worn every Sunday for at least 20 years.
My Best Memories
So many of my best memories involve Philly sports.
I’ve had more conversations with my dad about the Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies than anything else.
When the Eagles won the world series 15 years ago, I was right next to my dad. It was is one of my favorite memories.
When the Eagles won the Super Bowl. I quite literally ran through traffic in Boca on FaceTime with my little sister as she ran through traffic on Germantown Ave. I called my mom and she was screaming into the phone absolutely grinning from ear to ear. Watching Eagles games with my family meant the world to me. My grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins … the entire city. We’re all family on game day,
I think of these moments, and I want so badly to share moments like this with my son and daughter.
It’s why I am brainwashing them young.
