BOOING A POLITICIAN IS ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE, HE ADMITS: Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, now weekly sports columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, presents his rules for booing.
While I tend to agree with his rules, I rather thought that there was only one rule re: booing in Philly: If you are attending a sporting event in Philly, it is always appropriate to boo.
It's true. I was at the game. It was cheering because we thought he had the wind knocked out of him, maybe a concussion (which, at the time, well, we didn't know.) Once it was clear he wasn't getting up, the cheering stopped.
"If a player helps your team win the city's first championship in decades, then later decides that turning down a $126 million contract to play in another city would be a bad idea, it is always okay to travel through three states to boo that player in his home stadium."
In half-hearted defense of those who made such travel plans, they may have been motivated in part by offseason reports (which may well have been overplayed in the local press for an intended effect) that said player made some negative comments about said former team. And also in part by the fact that plenty of good seats always seem to be available at that particular destination.
Such team overidentification notwithstanding, what isaac said.
I was at said destination last night, and the travelers lost their verve for avenging their team's honor after said player hit that HR in the 5th.
Although I believe a "Fuck the Phillies" -type quote did surface during spring training, the DC press presented it as a general "that was then, this is now" sentiment -- one Werth echoed in the leadup to last night's game: "I've kind of closed the book on that time in my life. Although later on in life, I'll probably open that book often and I'll go back and sift through the memories. Right now, there's enought to keep me occupied and pay attention to. It's kind of insignificant to me what exactly is going on there."
Did we boo Aaron Rowand as a Giant? Did we boo Frank Thomas when he came back an A? No! We gave them standing ovations (well, Frank, since Aaron was playing on the north side), welcomed tham back with open arms and didn't hold a grudge because players move on. Hell, Juan Uribe stopped by spring training for the Sox this year and it just like old times.
Really, I've never understood the vitriol players get for moving on in their career, assuming it's not the kind of thing where they burn bridges on their way out of town.
<span>Yeah, about. Average paid attendence for the Nationals' four home games this season, all of which have been played in varying states of cold and rain, is a smidge above 24,000 -- about half the stadium's capacity. But that's a couple thousand higher than our average attendance for the 2010 season, where we were 23rd of 30 teams. DC clearly has a long way to go as a baseball-supporting city. But when the wins start coming, so will the general fan support, and those days will be particularly sweet for folks like me, who've been in from the beginning and know what it's like to sit in empty sections and get flak from fans of more established and successful teams.
Although I can't speak for all of DC, what the hell: Phillies fans -- any fans! -- who helped our city's bid to support a professional baseball franchise, I thank you. It's a joy to be able to work a full day, head over to the ballpark, and support my team.</span>
Wait a minute... DC has a professional baseball franchise? I thought that we only had a minor league team, albeit in a very spiffy stadium on the waterfront.
Let me be clear, too -- I have a ton of affection for Werth as a player, felt that way about him even before he was a Phillie, and wish him all the success and happiness in the world (just not against the Phils).
I had no idea that was his new gig. I think I pretty much agree on all counts, FWIW.
ReplyDeleteWhile I tend to agree with his rules, I rather thought that there was only one rule re: booing in Philly: If you are attending a sporting event in Philly, it is always appropriate to boo.
ReplyDelete...the Braves. It is always appropriate to boo the Braves. And to chant "LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
ReplyDeleteI love it when opponents chant "Larry" at Chipper. He tends to hit better when they do.
ReplyDeleteI love how the first comment explains that fans didn't boo Irvin's injury, they cheered it. You gotta love Philly.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. I was at the game. It was cheering because we thought he had the wind knocked out of him, maybe a concussion (which, at the time, well, we didn't know.) Once it was clear he wasn't getting up, the cheering stopped.
ReplyDelete"If a player helps your team win the city's first championship in decades, then later decides that turning down a $126 million contract to play in another city would be a bad idea, it is always okay to travel through three states to boo that player in his home stadium."
ReplyDeletePlease. You cheered Irvin, booed Santa, and went to Vegas to dump on Mother Theresa. Don't sugarcoat it.
ReplyDeleteIf a player helps your team win the city's first championship in decades, you have nothing to boo about.
ReplyDeleteA lesson I wish my fellow Red Sox fans would take to heart regarding Johnny Damon. We owe him nothing but thanks.
ReplyDeleteIn half-hearted defense of those who made such travel plans, they may have been motivated in part by offseason reports (which may well have been overplayed in the local press for an intended effect) that said player made some negative comments about said former team. And also in part by the fact that plenty of good seats always seem to be available at that particular destination.
ReplyDeleteSuch team overidentification notwithstanding, what isaac said.
By the way, I was saying Boo-urns.
ReplyDeleteThere were what, 13k people there? DC should thank Philies fans for helping their city's bid to support a professional baseball franchise.
ReplyDeleteI was at said destination last night, and the travelers lost their verve for avenging their team's honor after said player hit that HR in the 5th.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe a "Fuck the Phillies" -type quote did surface during spring training, the DC press presented it as a general "that was then, this is now" sentiment -- one Werth echoed in the leadup to last night's game: "I've kind of closed the book on that time in my life. Although later on in life, I'll probably open that book often and I'll go back and sift through the memories. Right now, there's enought to keep me occupied and pay attention to. It's kind of insignificant to me what exactly is going on there."
Werth's determination to shake off the defeatism that's long surrounded the Nats is endearing him to many down here.
Did we boo Aaron Rowand as a Giant? Did we boo Frank Thomas when he came back an A? No! We gave them standing ovations (well, Frank, since Aaron was playing on the north side), welcomed tham back with open arms and didn't hold a grudge because players move on. Hell, Juan Uribe stopped by spring training for the Sox this year and it just like old times.
ReplyDeleteReally, I've never understood the vitriol players get for moving on in their career, assuming it's not the kind of thing where they burn bridges on their way out of town.
<span>Yeah, about. Average paid attendence for the Nationals' four home games this season, all of which have been played in varying states of cold and rain, is a smidge above 24,000 -- about half the stadium's capacity. But that's a couple thousand higher than our average attendance for the 2010 season, where we were 23rd of 30 teams. DC clearly has a long way to go as a baseball-supporting city. But when the wins start coming, so will the general fan support, and those days will be particularly sweet for folks like me, who've been in from the beginning and know what it's like to sit in empty sections and get flak from fans of more established and successful teams.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I can't speak for all of DC, what the hell: Phillies fans -- any fans! -- who helped our city's bid to support a professional baseball franchise, I thank you. It's a joy to be able to work a full day, head over to the ballpark, and support my team.</span>
Wait a minute... DC has a professional baseball franchise? I thought that we only had a minor league team, albeit in a very spiffy stadium on the waterfront.
ReplyDeleteHeh. See? Defeatism! Jayson Werth would not like your tone. (Link is the same as above but hopefully functional this time.)
ReplyDeleteLet me be clear, too -- I have a ton of affection for Werth as a player, felt that way about him even before he was a Phillie, and wish him all the success and happiness in the world (just not against the Phils).
ReplyDelete