This past Saturday, I took a ride to visit my parents. The 40 minute ride, spent listening to Sports Talk Radio, was just long enough for me to become even more perplexed at the attitude of the average Philadelphia Sports fan.
Now, before you bash this post. Or lambaste me as an outsider who doesn't understand what it means to be a Philly sports fan (more on that later). Let me give you my credentials, which will validate why I can expound on this subject. I was born and raised in South Philadelphia, mere blocks from the sports complex. I am a lifelong Flyers fan, though I don't have a rooting interest in the other pro sports teams who reside here. I have attended Flyers, Sixers, Eagles, and Phillies games quite frequently throughout my life. I am a proud Philadelphian. Also, I have traveled to many other sporting venues, both famous and infamous, and have seen how the other half lives. Such trips include Wrigley Field, Fenway Park (for Yankees/ Red Sox), Yankee Stadium, The Belle Centre in Montreal, Le Collise in Quebec, the then named Corel Centre in Ottawa, both the Capital Center and Verizon Center in Washington, The Miami Arena in Florida. I have spent significant time in Pittsburgh, Michigan, and New York among other places.
Now that you know about where I'm coming from, let's start start with why I got the idea for this post in the first place. Friday night, Kobe Bryant, supposed Phialdelphia Son, came to Philly with the Lakers for a less than anticipated matchup with the Sixers. Kobe was booed. And the venom had spilled over onto Saturday's air waves. They talked about how Kobe doesn't respect his roots, talked about how he wanted to "rip Philly's heart out" in the 2001 NBA Finals, and my favorite... he was a Mets fan growing up. I took issue with most of these. And came up with a laundry list of things I still don't get about Philly sports fans.
I get the passion. I appreciate the passion. It is better here than in most other sports cities. But it's misplaced... maybe misrepresented. There is a small town atmosphere that hovers over this city. And it leads to an almost single mindedness when it comes to sports. An athlete must be a blue collar type, hard nosed and willing to crash into a wall. That's why Lenny Dykstra and Bobby Clarke are adored here. It's also why athletes with tremendous ability, like Mike Schmidt, are regarded with an air of caution. He (Schmidt) was so good, he made it look easy. Too easy. People say he didn't try hard enough.
Also, if you are from within these city limits, you are expected to carry that passion for Philly wherever you go. And if you don't, you are scorned. And if you aren't from here. People think you should just go away, because you are not one of them and couldn't possibly understand. Meaning, you don't know what you're talking about.
But, the behavior that perplexes me the most is the outrage one receives if someone from Philly is not a fan of one the city's four professional teams. It goes back to that single mindedness that I mentioned earlier. They won't talk about other teams on the airwaves, you're shooed off the air if you even try to bring it up. If you are a fan of another team, you're deamed a fraud, a bandwagon jumper, and your knowledge on the subject of sports will be forever speculated with no real basis.
I can't explain why this attitude persists here. Maybe it's jealousy? Jealousy of more successful cities with more successful franchises. I think it's the losing. Sure, teams win here. But it's in spurts. Glimpses of winning sandwiched between decades of frustration. Whatever the reason, it confounds me. And it will continue to confound me.
-Mike Tursi
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saints Providing More Than Joy For City Of New Orleans
In August of 2005 a mighty Hurricane smashed into the Gulf Coast of The United States. In it's wake, it left one of America's greatest treasures, The City of New Orleans, submerged in a dark abyss. As with any tragedy that befalls fellow citizens, Americans quickly responded, and gave whatever they could to help the flood ravaged city. But, as with all things, the spotlight of the media eventually faded, and the tragedy was removed from the American collective conscious.
Almost 5 years later, the effort to rebuild still goes on, . Many people continue to devote countless hours to rebuilding the Parishes and infrastructure of New Orleans. And, it's citizens can use any boost they can find to keep the morale strong. Enter The New Orleans Saints.
Throughout America's History Sports has always been there to help us heal, rise, and give us a respite from the realities of tragedy. From "The Green Light Letter" That President Roosevelt wrote to Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, which stated that "baseball would provide a much-needed morale boost to those on the homefront and to American service personnel overseas." to more recent examples, such as the Yankees in 2001. They put the City of New York on their collective backs and provided, not only the citizens of the Big Apple, but the country as a whole, with a few hours of relief each night with an amazing run to the World Series. There's also the Michigan State Spartans, who, in 2009, in the wake of economic meltdown in the auto industry, made an improbable run to The Final Four in which their home state was the host.
And now, there are the New Orleans Saints. Though they were always a mainstay, the Saints seemed to be background noise to the Jazz, Gumbo, and decadence that defined New Orleans. But in September of 2006, when the Saints returned to The Superdome for the first time since Katrina, there was something different about them. In the years that followed, the Saints rose to the upper echelon of the NFL. But now, as New Orleans continues to quietly put the pieces back together, their community is united by a common bond. Football. Last Sunday, the Saints defeated Brett Favre and the Vikings in overtime to reach their first ever Super Bowl. This magical season has given the people who are struggling to put their lives back together a few hours each week to put aside their worries and concerns and focus on something that can bring them joy.
So, as you prepare your Super Bowl Parties, and hope that you can avoid being too hung over for work on Monday morning. Remember that there might be one team out there playing for a little bit more. They're playing for a community that is continuing to try to rebuild and heal. And we all can appreciate that.
-Mike Tursi
Almost 5 years later, the effort to rebuild still goes on, . Many people continue to devote countless hours to rebuilding the Parishes and infrastructure of New Orleans. And, it's citizens can use any boost they can find to keep the morale strong. Enter The New Orleans Saints.
Throughout America's History Sports has always been there to help us heal, rise, and give us a respite from the realities of tragedy. From "The Green Light Letter" That President Roosevelt wrote to Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, which stated that "baseball would provide a much-needed morale boost to those on the homefront and to American service personnel overseas." to more recent examples, such as the Yankees in 2001. They put the City of New York on their collective backs and provided, not only the citizens of the Big Apple, but the country as a whole, with a few hours of relief each night with an amazing run to the World Series. There's also the Michigan State Spartans, who, in 2009, in the wake of economic meltdown in the auto industry, made an improbable run to The Final Four in which their home state was the host.
And now, there are the New Orleans Saints. Though they were always a mainstay, the Saints seemed to be background noise to the Jazz, Gumbo, and decadence that defined New Orleans. But in September of 2006, when the Saints returned to The Superdome for the first time since Katrina, there was something different about them. In the years that followed, the Saints rose to the upper echelon of the NFL. But now, as New Orleans continues to quietly put the pieces back together, their community is united by a common bond. Football. Last Sunday, the Saints defeated Brett Favre and the Vikings in overtime to reach their first ever Super Bowl. This magical season has given the people who are struggling to put their lives back together a few hours each week to put aside their worries and concerns and focus on something that can bring them joy.
So, as you prepare your Super Bowl Parties, and hope that you can avoid being too hung over for work on Monday morning. Remember that there might be one team out there playing for a little bit more. They're playing for a community that is continuing to try to rebuild and heal. And we all can appreciate that.
-Mike Tursi
Monday, January 4, 2010
Looking Back On The 2010 Winter Classic
I am not a fan of gimmicks used in sports. And, I usually have some dispute with the NHL regarding it's frequent rule changes regarding overtime, shootouts, and an outdated and ineffective point system. But when it comes to The Winter Classic, the NHL has hit it out of the park.
What began as The Heritage Classic, six years ago; The Winter Classic has evolved into a must see New Year's Day event. The concept was modeled after a college hockey rivalry game, called "The Cold War", played outdoors between the University of Michigan and Michigan State. The Heritage Classic, played in Edmonton, Alberta between the Oilers and Canadiens, drew a record viewership on CBC.
Five years later the name of the game was changed to The Winter Classic. And thanks to things both controlled by the NHL and elements that were beyond their control, a hockey event like no other was born.
In 2008, the first NHL Game ever played outdoors in the US took place at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium between the Sabres and Penguins. With the snow falling, NHL Super Sensation, Sidney Crosby gave the visiting Penguins a dramatic win with a goal in the shootout, and the Legend of The Winter Classic was born.
The following year, the NHL bested themselves by reaching far back into, not only Hockey's rich past, but also the past of America's National Pastime. An epic showdown between two of the Original Six NHL teams in a venue almost as old as Lord Stanley's Cup, Wrigley Field in Chicago. The game once again lived up to the billing, with the Red Wings getting a come from behind victory over the Blackhawks, their old rivals. TV Ratings increased by 12%. The legend was growing.
In July of 2009, the NHL announced this year's Winter Classic site. Sticking with a formula that seemed to be working, they selected a sporting National Treasure as a venue and another old rivalry as the competitors. The Boston Bruins would host the Philadelphia Flyers at Historic Fenway Park in Boston.
Pageantry was the Hallmark of the pregame festivities. A banner of Bruin retired Jersey was hung next to the retired numbers of Red Sox Heros of yesteryear. Honorary Captains were brought in from the height of the teams rivalry. Bobby Clarke for the Flyers and Bobby Orr for the Bruins. Their arrival sent the mixed crowd into a frenzy that never seemed to ebb for the rest of the afternoon, as the crowd remained on their feet for most of the game.
As for the game itself; once again, it lived up to the billing. A gritty, almost playoff like atmosphere engulfed the old ballpark. And, as if written by a Hollywood script, The Broad Street Bullies' Dan Carcillo and the Big Bad Bruins' Shawn Thornton were combatants in The Winter Classic's first ever fight.
The Bruins have been unwilling participants in many of the Flyers historic moments. Philadelphia's first Stanley Cup was won against the mighty Bruins, and it was into a Bruins empty net that Flyers goaltender, Ron Hextall would score, becoming the first goaltender ever to shoot and score a goal in the NHL. This game had that feel as the Flyers clung to a 1-0 lead late in the third period. But this epic game wouldn't go the Flyers way. With the shadows growing long as the sun faded behind the Green Monster, the Bruins were able to tie the game late, and then send the Fenway Faithful home happy with an overtime win. The Legend appears to be here to stay.
Next year there will be another venue and, hopefully, another great game. Maybe a return to Canada. Though it will be hard to ignore the big market of New York City and the Bright Lights of the newly christened Yankee Stadium. The Rangers have been considered in the past, most recently as the Bruins 2010 opponent. Wherever the venue and whomever the team, the NHL just needs to continue to ride this wave of good will and good fortune. Congratulations NHL, you've certainly found a Classic in this event.
-Mike Tursi
What began as The Heritage Classic, six years ago; The Winter Classic has evolved into a must see New Year's Day event. The concept was modeled after a college hockey rivalry game, called "The Cold War", played outdoors between the University of Michigan and Michigan State. The Heritage Classic, played in Edmonton, Alberta between the Oilers and Canadiens, drew a record viewership on CBC.
Five years later the name of the game was changed to The Winter Classic. And thanks to things both controlled by the NHL and elements that were beyond their control, a hockey event like no other was born.
In 2008, the first NHL Game ever played outdoors in the US took place at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium between the Sabres and Penguins. With the snow falling, NHL Super Sensation, Sidney Crosby gave the visiting Penguins a dramatic win with a goal in the shootout, and the Legend of The Winter Classic was born.
The following year, the NHL bested themselves by reaching far back into, not only Hockey's rich past, but also the past of America's National Pastime. An epic showdown between two of the Original Six NHL teams in a venue almost as old as Lord Stanley's Cup, Wrigley Field in Chicago. The game once again lived up to the billing, with the Red Wings getting a come from behind victory over the Blackhawks, their old rivals. TV Ratings increased by 12%. The legend was growing.
In July of 2009, the NHL announced this year's Winter Classic site. Sticking with a formula that seemed to be working, they selected a sporting National Treasure as a venue and another old rivalry as the competitors. The Boston Bruins would host the Philadelphia Flyers at Historic Fenway Park in Boston.
Pageantry was the Hallmark of the pregame festivities. A banner of Bruin retired Jersey was hung next to the retired numbers of Red Sox Heros of yesteryear. Honorary Captains were brought in from the height of the teams rivalry. Bobby Clarke for the Flyers and Bobby Orr for the Bruins. Their arrival sent the mixed crowd into a frenzy that never seemed to ebb for the rest of the afternoon, as the crowd remained on their feet for most of the game.
As for the game itself; once again, it lived up to the billing. A gritty, almost playoff like atmosphere engulfed the old ballpark. And, as if written by a Hollywood script, The Broad Street Bullies' Dan Carcillo and the Big Bad Bruins' Shawn Thornton were combatants in The Winter Classic's first ever fight.
The Bruins have been unwilling participants in many of the Flyers historic moments. Philadelphia's first Stanley Cup was won against the mighty Bruins, and it was into a Bruins empty net that Flyers goaltender, Ron Hextall would score, becoming the first goaltender ever to shoot and score a goal in the NHL. This game had that feel as the Flyers clung to a 1-0 lead late in the third period. But this epic game wouldn't go the Flyers way. With the shadows growing long as the sun faded behind the Green Monster, the Bruins were able to tie the game late, and then send the Fenway Faithful home happy with an overtime win. The Legend appears to be here to stay.
Next year there will be another venue and, hopefully, another great game. Maybe a return to Canada. Though it will be hard to ignore the big market of New York City and the Bright Lights of the newly christened Yankee Stadium. The Rangers have been considered in the past, most recently as the Bruins 2010 opponent. Wherever the venue and whomever the team, the NHL just needs to continue to ride this wave of good will and good fortune. Congratulations NHL, you've certainly found a Classic in this event.
-Mike Tursi
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