When you think of Philadelphia, what are some things that come to mind? The Liberty Bell? Independence Hall? If you’re a sports fan maybe the teams? Well growing up right outside of Philly there is a lot that comes to my mind. Like City Hall, the Reading Terminal, even the birthplace of America. However, I’m going to be talking about the sports and why I love them.
Since it is baseball season why not start off with America’s past time? The Phillies are my favorite for many reasons. Like the history they have. Going back to when they were established in 1883 to the famous whiz kids of the 1950s, to the Vet, to their World Series win in 1980. From the 1993 National League Champions, to the 2008 World Series Champions and to the present day. The history of this team is big for us Phillies fans, much like the other teams.
In fact the history of all of the teams are very significant as well. Like the Sixers with the Doctor, Julius Erving and his “rock the baby” dunk, the Eagles with “Concrete” Chuck Bednarik, and the Flyers with the fierce Broad Street Bullies. Each of these teams knows one thing and that is to win the championship. The fans expect nothing but the best from our teams and our teams know that. We love our teams no matter if they’re bad or good. We are always and will forever be die-hard fans. There is even some history with all the teams involved. For example back in 1980 when all of the sports teams were in the championship of their respected sports. However, the Phillies were the only team to bring home the championship.
The Eagles have a very rich history as well. Like the establishment of the Yellow Jackets back in the 1930s, to when they changed the name to the Eagles, from the 1960 NFL Champions, to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1980. From the start of an era with Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid, to the Super Bowl appearance in 2005. The Sixers, from their establishment in 1946 as the Syracuse Nationals, to the team that came to be with Wilt “the Stilt” Chamberlain and his 100 point game. From Julius Erving and Moses Malone winning the Finals in 1983, to the pick of Charles Barkley and Allen “the Answer” Iverson with his famous Step Over in the 2001 finals and “practice” rant. Last but not least the Flyers from their start in 1967, to the Broad Street Bullies. From back to back Stanley Cups in 74 and 75, to Ron Hextall’s goal in the 1987-88 season, to almost winning the Stanley cup in 2010 overcoming the top 3 seeded teams in the Eastern Conference.
As you can see the Philly sports have a great history both individually and together. There is such a rich atmosphere when you go to the games. The Phillies and Eagles, going out to the field to see your favorite players and looking at the big screen trying so hard to get on it. The Sixers and Flyers, going into the arena and looking up and seeing the banners of the retired numbers and achievements that both teams have. In my opinion there nothing better than going to a sporting event in Philly because of the energy from us, the fans, and watching our favorite teams as we root them on to victory.
We are the city of Brotherly Love and we love our teams. The players and they love us back and when a player comes back to retire as an athlete in Philadelphia we automatically show them love and respect. The same goes for the greatest athletes on other teams, such as LeBron James, specifically. He said “I love these fans here… they know sports.” As much as we try to hate players of other teams we always show respect to those who we consider possibly Hall of Fame caliber, because when we see greatness we recognize it and respect it. As I’m sure of other teams’ fans do.
