Defending the Phans

Remember that time Philadelphia fans booed Santa? Because I sure as hell don't.

Why, you ask? It happened in 1968. This also means that sportscasters like Matt Vasgersian, Joe Buck, and other top henchmen essentially born after 1963 don't remember it either. Despite that fact, such media clowns have no issue bringing that issue up for nearly any reason when they do Philly games. Its time to address this issue.

For those of you readers out there who don't know me, or know me well, I really am not a Philly sports fan. I am an Eagles fan, and I will root for Philly teams against most anyone, but I have favorite teams in hockey, baseball, and basketball that I would gladly pick over their Philadelphia equivalents in a head to head matchup. But, I live in a fairly close proximity to Philadelphia, and I've been to enough Philly games to have interacted with their fans, and frankly, even if I hadn't, the actions of certain professional athletes, especially of late, from Philly teams would be evidence enough that the national sports media is maintaining an outdated view of Philadelphia fans. Lets discuss reality.

Just this past year, Jeff Carter resigned with the Flyers for $5.2 million/year, which both he, I, and the Flyguys know is about $2-3 millions less per year than he would get on the open market. Someone could argue that he is only willing to do that because of how good that team is, but does anyone really think he'd stay if he hated the city and the fans? Doesn't Carter seem like the perfect candidate to cut and run from fans that expect greatness? I feel like yes, he is, but maybe that is just me. In any event, I think that his resigning was a tribute to the atmosphere created by the fans as much as the quality of the team.

But Jeff Carter's signing is tiddlywinks compared to one Clifton Phifer Lee's (re)signing with the Sillies. Now, he didn't really take any less money to sign in Philadelphia, but he could have gotten equal money (and, really, more in Texas because of their tax system) to stay near home in Texas, or equal (and again more because of endorsements in NY) from the Yanks who are no slouch of a team, and who have one of his and his wives close friends on it. No, Cliff chose Philly, citing how much he enjoyed Philly the first time around, and how he didn't want to leave it in the first place. Also, the fans not needing a teleprompter to cheer (suck that one NY, Seattle, and Texas).

"But you throw batteries at your own players!" Says that guy in your office who claims he's from Boston, but you know he's lying because you played tickle the pickle with his sister in high school (because even back then, you knew that guy was going to be a dick later). Your response? 'Oh, you remember that! Because I don't. Because it was in the 1960's as well, asshole.' Also, f*ck that guy.

"Buy that guy threw up on a little girl!" Yep, and he got KILLED via every social media outlet imaginable for the next 3 months by Philly fans. If people had known about it in the stadium at the time, I guarantee you he would have been booed, heckled, and probably gotten batteried for doing this. Somehow, because this guy is a drunk moron, apparently everyone in Philadelphia would not only do this, but supports it wholeheartedly. Makes perfect sense. Also, a writer for GQ called this the "most heinous incident in the history of sports." The most heinous. To recap, this article was published in April, 2011, after the Giants fan was beaten into a coma by Dodger fans. Even accounting for a delay in publication, come on. Really. Vomit vs Death. Yeah, puke on me 50 times, I will live. Also, if we are talking all of sports (which is included in the 'history of sports,' if you want to make big claims, you better be ready for me to tear your throat out with knowledge), google 'fan killed.' Apparently, fans being killed by each other is pretty common when we are talking about English and Spanish soccer clubs. But hey, Adam Winer said the puke was the worst, and he writes for GQ, so he's probably right.

Let me address the other, recent knock on Philly fans. The kid running on the field and getting tased. 1) people run on fields all the time, the worlds an imperfect place 2) how the cop tasing the kid is somehow a negative about Philly sports fans alludes me 3) the kid apologized and said he shouldn't have done it, and the security quit carrying tasers so this stuff wouldn't happen again. I pretty much don't understand why this was a big deal, other than it happened in Philly, so obviously screw Philly fans. A much worse incident occurred in Pittsburgh, but I bet you didn't even know about it. Check it out, and you tell me which was worse.

Ultimately, I'm tired of the national sports media. By and large, they sell out their actual sports knowledge to get attention and to pander to the masses. They know less about sports and more about people, and they utilize that skill to insult certain fan bases to get others to feel like they are superior (see Skip Bayless). Don't get me wrong, there are media guys who know their stuff. Barry Melrose, Steve Young, and Bob Knight are all really good. What separates them from the rest is they actually discuss their sports, rather than the fans of a specific team. They don't waste their time talking about shenanigans, they talk about why Kemba Walker will tear your throat out in the final 5 minutes of a game. I want more sports, less fan characterization (or charicaturization, in this case), and actual knowledge. Jalen Rose knowledge, not Chris Broussard knowledge. Give me real journalism, TMZ for men aka GQ (GQ sold out to sell magazines, and their writers went with it... shocking, I know).

Go hate on LA fans media, for not showing up to games, for being actually bad fans, and for killing people. They couldn't keep TWO NFL franchises in town, and they are the 2nd largest base in the country. Do you think, for a second, that any of Philly's big 4 will ever get contracted or moved? Not in a million years. Get off me national media, and get off Philly fans. Get something original, and come back and see me.

On a lighter note, lets get some SC Playoff predictions coming at you from the second round.

West

I stand by original picks of Red Wings and Preds making it to the finals. The Sharks are playing rather well against the Wings at present, but thats in large part to Niemi playing well, and over a 7 game series, he WILL play mediocre or worse 4+ times, so I am not sweating even a 2-0 whole for the wings. Wings in 7.

The Preds? Preds looking good through 2, and will keep getting better. They will grind the soft Canucks out of the playoffs. It will be gorgeous. Of note in that series, and in general; Ryan Kesler is the best player on the Canucks, not the Sedins. Nashville in 6.

East

Flyers are actually looking worse after beating the Sabres. Look for the Bruins to dispatch them in 6 or less.

Tampa jumped out to an early lead over the Caps. They also seem to be undergoing the boost from beating the penguins in the first round that I expected the Flyers to have. I'm not sure if it was rust from the Caps having so much time off, or if it is the Bolts finally hitting on all cylinders. Either way, the Caps need to win the next two, or they are going to be in a really tough spot. Caps in 7.

Finals

Same. Wings vs Caps, Caps in 7. Although, I am feeling less and less reserved about saying the Predators could make it to the finals this year, and I have little doubt that they could beat either the lightning or the caps in a 7 game series. If you are looking to put down some money in Vegas with a huge payout, I'd go Nashville. They have great goaltending in Pekka Rinne, and Shea Weber's beard. That may be all you need.

Ran into Apollo Ohno this past week. Pretty nice, but rolled with huge D-Bags.

The Memphis Grizzlies are not good. I cannot believe they keep winning.

Josh Johnson is a machine. NL Cy Young is all his if he stays healthy.

Kudos to the Indians. They really are playing well. Good to see.