Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Second rate fans? Worse?

It’s widely acknowledged that fans in Philadelphia are the most obnoxious, rude fans in professional sports. I don’t know if it’s ever seriously doubted. But with that, I’ve always assumed they’ve been—like their baseball team’s mascot—fanatics. Maybe not.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend an entire day at a busy public place in Pennsylvania, about 25 miles from Philadelphia. Someone with us wore a Red Sox hat. Another—from Philly—wore his Phillies hat, mainly, I think to counter the fact that he’d be with a group of mostly Red Sox fans. There was another in our group with a Yankee visor on. She’s married to the Red Sox hat wearer.

Among the people our group saw that day, Yankee gear was the most common, by far. Then maybe New York Giants stuff. The third most common sports team shown off was probably the Red Sox, with Met hats and shirts close behind that.

Outside the people in our group, I spotted exactly one Phillies hat. One. In a crowded public place on a sunny day 25 miles from Philly. Also one hat for the 76ers. Nobody I saw wore anything supporting the Eagles or Flyers.

I’ve taken into consideration the fact that this was a place that would draw people from outside the area. We weren’t in the public schools, after all. But I don’t think you’d see a lack of Red Sox hats and shirts in Faneuil Hall. Or Yankee stuff in line at the Empire State Building.

Disappointing showing, Philly fans.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So how was Sesame Place?

noternie said...

lots of fun. would highly recommend it and would go back again.