"Don't let anyone say that it's just a game" Er, well it kind of is, Eddie

pjhawks

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

Some people just don't get it. Sports bring people together. And those teams represent your city and you take pride when seeing your team go all the way. Here in Philly it's been 26 years without ANYTHING - nothing but negativity by everyone involved. No other city knows what that feels like. I don't wanna hear from Cubs fans or Red Sox fans, before they won, about how they've waited forever. Oh yeah? Have ya? Other than the fact that the Celtics won like 17 championships, the Pats had 2 Super Bowls before the first WS, and the Bulls have 6 championships and the Bears got themselves a Bowl. But a championship would change all that here in Philly, and you would see a party/parade like none other.

And like the one guy earlier said - yeah, it's crazy to attach yourself to a team but it's not crazy to follow this band religiously. And I digress...anyway....

Let's go Fightins!!!

great post and my sentiments exactly. nothing besides tragedy brings more people together for a common goal than sports. this city will shut down on thursday and friday when the Phils play for those 3 hours. and if we ever do win a championship you will see more people together than ever before it will be insane - and ill be there on Broad Street, no matter how old i am.

and totally agree on your thoughts about other cities. screw the cubs fans - as i said in the cubs thread, so what they haven't won for 101 years, you had Michael Jordan in your city winning 7 in 9 years, not to mention the Bears. We haven't won shit in 25 fucking years with 4 teams! I am now considered middle aged and we haven't won a championship since i was in middle school - there are college graduates in this city who have NEVER seen a championship. the shared joy that can and will be released if and when we ever win one will be incredible - nothing else can bring millions of people together like sports can and the original poster is way off base.

chime

dissidentman wrote:

And what is "the team"? A logo? A stadium? A story from your grandfather?

All of these things ... and more. If you've supported a team your whole life ... memories connected with the team are part of your history. It's time spent with family and friends enjoying each others company ... it's something that the generations have in common ... a shared passion

That shared passion could be a band, a hobby ... but it can also be following a team.

pjhawks

dissidentman wrote:

I agree, it should be for love of the game - therefore PLAY, don't watch someone else play. find a league, sign up and play.

the difference is following a team i can share the sentiments with all walks of people from youngsters to old timers. I can't really play against 8 year olds - but to share the joy and moments watching a team and rooting for a team with family and friends of all ages, sexes, races and income levels is something that NOTHING else can reproduce.

Heineken Helen

dissidentman wrote:

I agree, it should be for love of the game - therefore PLAY, don't watch someone else play. find a league, sign up and play.

I love music... but I can't play a note does that mean I can't listen to others play? I get more enjoyment out of watching sports than playing... it's also more frustrating cos when your team's doing badly, there's nothing you can do about it. At least it's in your hands if you're on the team.

Just cos I'll never be good enough to play for Ireland in ANYTHING doesn't mean I won't support my fellow country men/women who have been chosen to represent my country ( / county/ club/etc.). I love the game, whether it's played by me or somebody else!

Heineken Helen

Chime wrote:

All of these things ... and more. If you've supported a team your whole life ... memories connected with the team are part of your history. It's time spent with family and friends enjoying each others company ... it's something that the generations have in common ... a shared passion

That shared passion could be a band, a hobby ... but it can also be following a team.

absolutely... some of my greatest memories have been of sporting occasions. It can bring complete strangers together like nothing else.

josevolution

everyone has something that makes them feel alive for some of us here it's the band and all that comes with that, for others it could be a sports team/car racing team southerners cough cough ,others get off on hunting ,or porno i repeat everyone has something that makes you come alive ....

PureandEasy

Hell no, music and sports are my PASSIONS. Nothing like them.

and don't even begin to say the fans have nothing to do with it. Ask any pro team, when the game is on the line, the affect the fans in the stands have and they'll tell you how much important it is to have the support of the fans.

again, ask any pro player if he cared whether or not the stands were empty or full, he'll tell you full every time.

PureandEasy

and another thing, my heart goes out to all the Cubs fans, I was in that same position last year with my Phillies

IT BLOWS. And you DO take it to heart. It actually makes your heart ache.

Brisk.

yeh americans their "football"...

Jack_C_Gregory

PureandEasy wrote:

again, ask any pro player if he cared whether or not the stands were empty or full, he'll tell you full every time.

I'm not saying this for all, but I think as long as some of them are getting their overly priced paychecks, they could give a shit either way.

Heineken Helen

PureandEasy wrote:

IT BLOWS. And you DO take it to heart. It actually makes your heart ache.

It really does. The pain doesn't last as long but I'd actually compare it to a break up. Although at least you KNOW there'll be more games