04/19/24
August 19, 2002
Travis Lee: Philly Fans Low Class.: Philadelphia first baseman blasts sellout Vet Stadium croud for booing ex-Phillie Scott Rolen as he opened the convertible door for Hall of Famer Harry Kalas. The announcer was honored in a ceremony at the Vet before the Phils-Cards game for his induction into Cooperstown.
Philly fans are low class-- they would boo the Easter Bunny, it is said, and I believe it. This is true of Philly fans of all sports, I believe, and I wouldn't even begin to know if there is any way to measure if the baseball fans are worse than the football fans are worse than the hoops fans are worse than the hockey fans. You'd think what with all the practice that Philly fans would be gracious in defeat, but no. They are obnoxious about it, just as they are obnoxious about everything else. A few years ago I had a cab driver who, upon learning that I was from Buffalo, tried to taunt me by saying, "My team has only lost one Super Bowl. What's it feel like to lose four?" Well, the fact is that losing four, while it stings right after, feels a whole heck of a lot better than it must feel to be an Eagles fan.
posted by outside counsel at 11:03 AM on August 19, 2002
Uecker: "On off days [Philadelphia fans] go to the airport and boo bad landings."
posted by Mookieproof at 02:14 PM on August 19, 2002
These are the people who cheered the possibility of Michael Irvin's neck being broken. As a Boston sports fan, it's reassuring to know that no matter how low we sink, Philly fans will already be there to greet us. I don't know what it is, but they're special folks— they've been singled out as crappy fans so often in a country that's chock full of crappy fans, there's got to be a grain of truth to it. I couldn't believe them grousing for even more calls for Alan Iverson during this year's Celtics-Sixers series. I just hope Donovan McNabb takes off as soon as he can. I wouldn't forgive Philly fans for ruining what should have been one of the happiest days of my life. Also, can you back up your assertion that Travis Lee is the "laziest" man in the majors? I'll agree that he's a bust, but I don't see what you're basing the laziness thing on. Watch Manny Ramirez for a week: he could out-lazy anyone. And I love him for it.
posted by yerfatma at 02:52 PM on August 19, 2002
Yes, I guess Manny could give Travis a run for his money. I do watch Lee everyday. No doubt by the show of numbers an effort on the field that he could have been one of the upper-tier players in the game. He just never cared, that's all. And moreover, who is Travis Lee to tell the fans who to boo and who not to (for the record, I was there and did not boo Rolen). If a fan wants to come in and voice his displeasure that's his right as a ticket holder. He's not throwing bobbleheads on the field or screaming obscneities. In this case, he/she is a fan telling off Rolen for doing nothing but bring attention to himself at a time where the organization was honoring one of its own. For crying out loud, the Phillies asked Rolen NOT to come on the field because they didn't want to take away from Kalas' day. So he goes against their wishes and does it anyway. I don't know what he expected. He had all weekend to show his appreciation for Kalas. But instead, he waited until Sunday to attract more attention to himself in front of a sold out crowd. As for Michael Irvin, man, I am so sick of hearing about that. I am a season ticket holder and I was there the day it happened. You take about 50 or 60 drunk guys on the top of the 700-level cheering Irvin motionless on the ground and everyone goes off on how terrible the Philadelphia fans are. They have their moments, just like every other town, including Boston, Cleveland, New York and everywhere else. For some reason, the media just loves to feed off this town.
posted by rosey8810 at 04:29 PM on August 19, 2002
Hell, they booed Santa Claus and Mike Schmidt as well. There is a reason why they put a holding cell and courtroom in the Vet. I frequently visit my girlfriend in Philly and two days is my limit before I really have to get out of town. The interesting thing about this weekend is that JD Drew wasn't the main target of derision (and/or AA batteries).
posted by mbd1 at 04:32 PM on August 19, 2002
Yes, yes, everyone brings up Santa. You'd boo a half-drunk 110 pound Santa-wannabe with his beard falling off too. It was an embarassment. While we're at it, may as well bring up the snowballs we were pelting at then-Dallas Head Coach Jimmy Johnson. Of course we were just trying to knock his toupee off his head. And actually, if you were at the games over the weekend - especially Sunday - you'd see J.D. Drew was taking just as much flak from the packed crowds as Scotty-boy. Again, with the batteries, a couple guys pull an absolutely stupid stunt and the media condemns the entire city. Guess that's way worse than Cleveland fans flooding the team benches and fields with plastic and glass bottles and cans onto the field. It's just as ridiculous that the national media sees fit to condemn the Philadelphia fans for their actions when it goes on everywhere else. As for the Birds, I give them credit for opening up a courtroom/holding cell during home games. At least they are doing something about the problem childs of the crowd, unlike most stadium securities that turn their heads the other way.
posted by rosey8810 at 08:09 AM on August 20, 2002
How fitting that the laziest man in the major leagues blast the Philadelphia crowd. The bulk of Philadelphia fans came out Sunday to honor Harry Kalas, a man who exhibits everything that was, is, and will continue to be great about the game, a man who always gave 100% and again, on Sunday, was grateful to the fans for showing their appreciation. Before even leaning into Lee....The Phils, who initally asked Rolen to be part of the ceremony, asked Rolen not to come out on the field as it wasn't a great idea with the current situation. He did anyway at the end, opening the convertible door for Harry to exit off the field, at the same time getting the boo-birds from 55,000+ fans. What did he expect?! As for Travis Lee, how fitting that he nails a shot into left that skips past Kerry Robinson to the wall for what should have been a solid shot at a triple. But hey, it's Travis Lee, and he moseys on into second for a stand-up double. Maybe Lee should worry about his play on the field before voicing opinions off it.