Right on the mark with Philly fans
 

Steve,

You and Tony Black really nailed it when you were talking about us Philly fans down here. I got a good laugh out of the discussion -- all humor requires an element of truth to work, as you well know.

Joe

I laughed out loud when Tony told the story about the fans being on the track at Liberty Bell.

Tony is pretty much a treasure to have as 'the voice of the jockey' on ATR. He has seen and done it all, good and bad. He's the ultimate journeyman as one of the all time winningest riders in the sport's history with 5,200+ wins, but short of Hall of Fame credentials. His personal life experience also makes for ideal perspective on the hazards and temptations for young riders. He is a lynchpin back to the show's origins as well.

As for the Philadelphia conversation, as a decade-long Eagles season ticket holder at the Vet (Sec. 729, Row 13) and life-long Birds fan, I feel as qualified to identify with the city as anyone that has lived there. It's as unique a town as there is, and while cities throughout the rest of the country may think their sports adoration is the same as the passion of Philadelphians, it simply isn't.

The 2 most memorable Eagles' contests at the Vet that I can recall were:

1. the Halloween game of 1999 when Michael Strahan picked off an errant pass in a very close game and ran it in for a GW touchdown in OT. Man, were there fights at that game!! You couldn't count them all !!! The upperdeck fans were dumping beer on a teenage girl wearing a big blue #92 jersey.

2. the last game ever at the Vet - the Buccanneers proved that the sub-40 degree rule was a myth and Chuckie went on to the Super Bowl after out-maneuvering the Eagles. It was frigid at that game and I remember finishing the 2nd half inside at the Chickie and Pete's bar. Farewell to the Vet...

There was a tire and auto repair business on Route 38 in Mount Laurel that listed the final score of every single Eagles game on a sign outside the store- - probably still does.....

I've seen many types of true fans - - I can remember when the streets of Pittsburgh were "near-empty" on Sundays when the Steelers played in the 1970-1980's, but the Eagles fans are definitely up there in terms of loyalty to their team....

You could hear a pin drop in that dump after Barber pick 6'd Donovan. But it was OUR dump, and we'd defend that place like it was our own household. As agonizingly painful it can be at times to a) live in this city and watch sections of it take a nosedive and b) be diehard fanatics to this city's sports teams, I wouldnt have it any other way. Just hammered down a Pat's Steak with my out of town cousins, who were asking me why Philly gets such a bad rep. I told them that it's a question more loaded then the wiz-wit I was about to polish off. PHUCK the haters, they're all 'mo-thug fellaters.

I have no problem with the fans, the city is the dump. Its gross, dirty, homeless everywhere, unsafe...no thanks.

I'm not sure if that was before week 17 or their PLAYOFF GAME!!!!!

:o



and as for the city being a dump, I can ASSURE YOU that my neighborhood and the ones that surround it, are NOT dumps. just an fyi for the clueless crowd

I've been in Philly many many times. It is a dump.

Are you always so pompous and superficial? If so, Im glad to have never met you.

You obviously haven't been within 5 miles of where I rest my head at night, which last time I checked was still in PHILLY. Every city has sections of trash in it, and I'm sure yours is no different.

B/c I disagree with you doesn't make me anything. The city isn't that big and yes I've been to all parts of it...I'm glad you like it there. That's all that matters.