Dear Phillies,
I can still remember the first time I watched a game. It was 2009, the return to the World Series. You were just coming off of the 2008 win, and I thought even bigger things were coming. The attendance was a near record high that season at 3,600,693 people . The core team was all there: Chooch, Howard, Utley, Rollins, Polanco, Ibanez, Victorino, even Werth. There was a magic to this team that every fan could feel. This magic lasted through 2011 when you pulled off a 102-60 record. Led by Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt, many envisioned a third trip to the World Series in five years. However, that would not come to be a reality. That postseason was devastating.
The years that followed would be even more devastating. We said goodbye to Charlie, Utley, Rollins, Polanco, Ibanez, Victorino and this season, Chooch. Werth left on terms terrible enough to spark a new rivalry. However, this would be more of a fan rivalry than anything else. After all, you need to actually win games to be considered a rival. The game attendance dropped by nearly 2/3. Many "fans" directed their cheering elsewhere. It was a dark, dark time in CBP.
And now, another losing season has come and gone. I must say, after four years of this, my heart doesn't ache the way it once did. I won't lie, I came into this season with high hopes. I thought there was a chance we'd see some big things from young players like Nola, Altherr, and Herrera. I thought there was a chance Ryan Howard would put out some big numbers, one last hoorah before hanging up his uniform. Recapping over the last 162 games, this clearly is not the case. I can't even say I'm disappointed. Accepting would be a better word.
And so I have made my peace with you, my team. Despite all of the disappointments and losses, you will still be my team. 2/3 have abandoned us when things got tough, but I'm still here. I don't expect great things anymore. As the Dodgers, Cubs, and even Mets clinched their spots, I was excited for them. This is their time. I accept that our time is coming, but it is not right now.
Tonight, I will watch the final game of our season. The road will end here, most likely in a loss. That is okay. I will say my final goodbyes to the legend, Ryan Howard. Unlike many other fans, I never turned my back on him. To me, he is still one of the all-time greats. I will certainly miss him, but I will not miss this season.
At heart, I will always be a Phillies baseball fan. However, broken hearts need time to heal. It is time for everyone to recover from this season. But don't worry, I won't be too lonely. After all, Villanova basketball is just around the corner.
Sincerely,
A Dedicated Fan
