Following the New England Patriots’ complete destruction of the Buffalo Bills’ defense, we learned two things: Andrea Kremer would totally go out with Tom Brady, and the Patriots are offensive (pun!!1!) simply by taking the field and playing the game they’re paid to play.
It wasn’t the first time the Patriots have beaten an opponent as
severely as they beat the Bills, and, not surprisingly, it wasn’t the
first time they’ve been accused of “running up the score.”
24, 24, 31, 21, 17, 21, 45, 4, and 46. Those are the Patriots’
margins of victory in their ten games this season. That’s an average
margin of victory of over 23 points.
The latest wails of “running up the score” came after the Patriots
twice went for the touchdown on fourth down instead of settling for a
field goal in the Bills game. The oft-cited “unwritten rules” were
brought up, that it is unethical to go for it on fourth down if you’re
enjoying a comfortable lead.
This rule applies to almost any team sport, especially baseball,
where, if you’re up by about 8 runs or so, it becomes unethical to
steal bases, bunt, bring in your better pitchers, and try trick plays.
It’s just an example of how no one can be offended anymore in this
country. On this blog, as well as in many other venues, I’ve made what
some consider extremely liberal claims (e.g. drugs should be
legalized), but one liberal issue I completely abhor is political
correctness. It’s often hypocritical and almost always an infringement
on First Amendment rights. The Patriots didn’t even speak — they simply
played a game well.
Here’s a list of people you can’t offend in this country:
Homosexuals
Bisexuals
Transgenders
Christians
Jews
African-Americans
Women
Anyone who knows anyone who knows anyone who is in the armed forces
The Bush administration, and the government in general
The disabled (note: not referring to the Bush administration)
People who are squeamish when it comes to violence or “foul” language
NEW: Bad sports teams, or otherwise good teams simply getting demolished
It’s politically correct to not run up the score. It’s politically correct to not brag and to modestly acknowledge your success.
It’s politically incorrect to humorously reference a movie about
homosexuality — still a fine source of humor for many in the comedy
industry — and analogize it to basketball, as Phil Jackson did.
Back to the Patriots — what did the P.C. people want Belichick to do
instead? Kick a field goal and tack on more points? At least if he goes
for it on fourth down, he gives the Bills defense a chance to step it
up and prevent them from scoring any points. At that point, with the
Patriots leading as emphatically as they were, the difference between a
touchdown and a field goal (four points) was moot anyway.
Isn’t it more insulting to “play down” to your opponent after you
get out to a sizable lead? It says, at least to me, “I’m so good, I
don’t even need to try hard to beat you. I can take out all of our best
players and play second- and third-stringers.”
Don’t want the Patriots to run up the score? Keep them out of the end zone. That was the response Leon Grant of the Seattle Seahawks gave to reporters
when asked about Chad Johnson’s touchdown celebrations (another thing
you’re not allowed to do when the P.C. police are around):
And though none of the Seahawks wants to witness
one of Johnson’s elaborate celebrations, they are more concerned with
the reason it would occur rather than the act itself.
“My mentality is that if you don’t want a guy to do all of that on you, just keep him out of the end zone,” Grant said.
The Patriots will continue to win by at least three touchdowns, and
will kick sand in the face of their opponents as they go for the fourth
on fourth down.
Not even three days after most American families squashed down all of their familial loathing for one Thanksgiving dinner sit-down before the most patriotic of birds (sorry, Eagle: get a quarterback who doesn't suffer a season-ending injury every November and we'll think about it), quarterback Michael Vick offered up two of his own birds to his Atlanta Falcons fans. And did those birds ever have a pungent aftertaste.
"It was just a part of a situation where my emotions got the best of me. I apologize sincerely to all my fans and to everybody who saw me make that gesture. ... It won't happen again," said the $130 million quarterback. Because of the "one-fingered victory salute," Vick has been fined $10,000 by the National Football League and directed to donate another $10,000 to charity.
The recipient of Vick's donation is yet to be known, but charities are already clamoring for more athletes to use indecent acts as a way to raise money. I got a hold of some of the letters written by representatives or dependents of several charities:
Dear Mr. Albert Haynesworth,
As a result of your "stomping incident" on October 1, 2006 against the Cowboys, we were delighted to hear that you will be working with kids and seek counseling to control your emotions.
The recipient of your cleats, Andre Gurode, still experiences headaches and blurred vision. Don't feel bad, however, as lots of people can benefit from your lack of self-control. The nearly $200,000 you lost during your five-game suspension can and should be given to charities, so we are asking that you request, on our behalf, that some or all of the nearly $200,000 be donated to Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.
Hope to see more stomping in the future,
Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.
Dear Mr. Phil Jackson,
We are sorry to hear that you have been reprimanded for being critical of the referees after your team lost by six points to the Utah Jazz. In light of the recent fining of Michael Vick, who will be donating $10,000 to charity, we suggest that you suggest to Commissioner David Stern that some or all of your $25,000 fine be donated to charity. Namely, us, the Fashion Group Foundation of America, Inc. We sure would appreciate any donation!
Keep whining,
Fashion Group Foundation of America, Inc.
Dear Mr. Adrian Jones,
On behalf of the September 11th Widows and Victims Families Association, Inc., we hope you have sobered up nicely. We were remorseful when informed of your charge of Driving While Intoxicated, but we quickly saw the silver lining in your unfortunate situation: the $20,000 you are being fined can be used for a good cause! As the holiday of giving thanks has passed, and the holiday of giving draws near, it would be good P.R. for you and makes this a win-win situation for both of us.
Please ask Commissioner Roger Goodell to donate the $20,000 to September 11th Widows and Victims Families Association, Inc.
Drinking and driving can truly be a good mix.
Sincerely,
September 11th Widows and Victims Families Association, Inc.
I also got my fingers on some requests from fans:
Dear Mr. Barry Bonds,
My name is Johnny and I have never been a fan of yours. I have routinely chastised your name and likeness ever since you became linked with steroids. I have always believed in giving second chances, though, and here's your opportunity: my uncle is in need of a kidney transplant but can't afford it, so I am asking you to take steroids before taking a physical, and donate the money you will be fined to us. You can also use the time off to sell a book or something.
Thanks,
Johnny Gimmedatitsmine
Dear Mr. Brett Myers,
Down here in this here red state, ain't nothin' better than beatin' yer wife when she ain't cook them steaks good 'nough. Anyways, I'll cut to this here chase, I loved it when you hit yer wife. I'm not asking for a charit'ble donation or nothin', but if you could just punch 'er one more time or somethin' I would be happy as a pig's snort at a haystackin' contest.
Well, I was never good at metamorphics anyway,
Bubba Beernagame
New Orleans Hornets point guard Bobby Jackson has been fined $20,000 for "verbally abusing officials and failing to the leave the court in a timely fashion," according to ESPN. Jackson plans to do the exact same thing during every game for the rest of the season until the NBA decides not to punish him, or until he runs out of money. He stated that the money will go to Katrina relief.
President George W. Bush, who can be seen here giving the "one-finger salute," has been trying to get fined for years, but no one seemed to be understand what he was saying. The FCC declined to comment.
With Halloween coming up, it is the perfect time to examine an area of sports culture often passively accepted: curses. Many cultures across the world are superstitious, but Americans, being supposedly well-educated, still believe that Babe Ruth haunted the Boston Red Sox from when he was sold to the New York Yankees in 1920 until 2004, when the Red Sox broke the curse by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. They believe this in the same way that they believe that crossing the path of a black cat brings them bad luck.
Superstition is defined as "a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like."
Nomar Garciaparra has a superstition of adjusting his batting gloves and wristbands, and kicking the dirt in the batter's box. Almost all baseball players observe the superstition of not talking to a pitcher who is throwing a perfect game. Some players refuse to wash their uniforms, equipment, or even their bodies while on a streak of good performance.
However, we will focus on sports curses, such as that of the Bambino, Billy Goat, and Billy Penn, and even the Sports Illustrated cover jinx, among others. You will see why curses, like other forms of superstition including belief in supernatural beings, is irrational.
The Curse of the Bambino
The Story: Babe Ruth, a star of the Boston Red Sox that won three World Series in the six years that he was with the team (and five in fifteen years), was sold to the New York Yankees by owner Harry Frazee on January 3, 1920. Frazee used the money from the Ruth sale to finance a play called "No, No, Nanette." Ruth went on to prosper with the Yankees and is now known as arguably the best player ever to play the game.
Since Ruth was traded, the Red Sox appeared in only four World Series in 86 years, while the Yankees appeared in 39 World Series, and won 26 of them. The Curse, however, gained its notoriety not with the Yankees' success, but with the Red Sox method of failure -- they lost each of the four World Series that they appeared in since the Ruth Sale until 2004 in seven games. And they found special ways to lose, even in the regular season, every time.
1946 World Series: In the seventh game, with the score knotted at three apiece, Harry Walker hit a double into the gap, and the runner on first base ignored his third base coach's signal to stop. On the relay throw, Johnny Pesky seemed to hesitate on the relay throw home, and the runner scored to make it 4-3. In the top of the ninth, the Red Sox had runners on the corners with only one out, but couldn't get the tying run home.
1949 Season: With two games left, the Red Sox needed to win only one of them, but dropped both to the Yankees.
1978 Season: The Red Sox had a 14-game lead in mid-July, but squandered it by the end of the season to force a one-game playoff with the Yankees. With Boston up 2-0 in the seventh inning, Bucky Dent, a below-average hitter with marginal power, hit a three-run homerun to give the Yankees the lead and the victory.
1986 World Series: With a 5-3 lead going into the tenth inning, the Red Sox appeared to be on their way to a championship. However, the New York Mets tied the game, then won it on the infamous ground ball that trickled undernearth first baseman Bill Buckner's glove. The Red Sox had been within one strike of the championship twice that game, and then went on to blow a 3-0 lead in the seventh game to lose the World Series. It is this World Series that prompted the "Curse of the Bambino."
2003 American League Championship Series: The Red Sox took a 5-2 lead into the eighth inning of the seventh game. Instead of utilizing his bullpen, manager Grady Little stuck with a worn-out Pedro Martinez, who gave up three runs to tie the game. In the bottom of the eleventh inning, Aaron Boone, a below-average hitter with marginal power (like Dent), hit a walkoff homerun to send the Yankees to the World Series.
Why It Never Existed:
The failure of the Red Sox precedes the sale of Ruth.
"No, No, Nanette" was not performed until five years after the sale.
Until 2004, the pitching staff of the Red Sox had been notoriously mediocre, pitching in a hitter's ballpark.
The Red Sox had always been competitive, for the most part, over the years, but never an elite team (not even in 2004). Statistically, they only barely underperformed, and the Yankees only barely overperformed.
The Curse of the Billy Goat
The Story: Vasili Sianis brought his pet goat to Wrigley Field for Game 4 of the 1945 World Series, but allegedly placed a curse on the Cubs when he and the goat were ejected from the game as a result of the odor of the goat. Additionally, popular belief claims that a team is doomed to fail in the playoffs if it has three or more former Cubs on its roster (known as the "Ex-Cubs Factor").
1969 Season: The Cubs squandered an August 8.5 game lead in the Eastern Division to the New York Mets, who eventually won the World Series.
1984 National League Division Series: After winning the first two games of the five-game series, the Cubs dropped the next three to lose in heart-breaking fashion. In the fifth game, first baseman Leon Durham misplayed a ball that went through his glove, akin to Buckner's botched play.
2003 National League Championship Series: The Cubs had the series lead, three games to two. In the top of the eighth inning of the sixth game, with a 3-0 lead, the Cubs recorded the first out to bring Luis Castillo to the plate. Castillo hit a foul ball down the left-field line, with left-fielder Moises Alou giving chase. A fan, later identified as Steve Bartman, also tried to catch the foul ball and prevented Alou from recording the second out of the inning. The umpire did not rule fan interference, and the Cubs gave up eight runs that inning, eventually losing the series to the Marlins, who went on to win the World Series.
Why It Never Existed:
The Cubs' championship drought dates back to 1908, 37 years before the "Curse of the Billy Goat" was placed.
The law of averages dictates that some players from the Cubs would invariably go on to win a championship elsewhere.
The Arizona Diamondbacks proved the "Ex-Cubs Factor" to be untrue (or broke it, depending on your beliefs) by winning the 2001 World Series against the Yankees. The team featured ex-Cubs Mark Grace, Luis Gonzalez, and Mike Morgan.
The Curse of Billy Penn
The Story: In 1987, the One Liberty Place skyscraper was erected, becoming the tallest monument in Philadelphia at 945 feet tall. The title was taken from the statue of William Penn, which stood 548 feet tall. Since the skyscraper was erected, Philadelphia-based sports have endured a run of failure, as opposed to the run of success between 1974 and 1983, when the Phillies appeared in two World Series, winning one, the Eagles appeared in Super Bowl XV but lost, the Flyers won back-to-back Stanley cups in 1974 and '75, and the Sixers won the NBA championship in 1983. Since the One Liberty Place skyscraper came into existence, the Phillies, Sixers, and Eagles have appeared in one championship (1993, 2000, and 2005, respectively), each resulting in a loss. The Flyers have appeared in two Stanley Cups (1987 and 1997) and lost them both. The curse even extends to horse racing, when Smarty Jones failed to win the Triple Crown in 2004. In 2006, Barbaro was favored to win the Triple Crown, but suffered a fractured right hind leg.
1993 World Series: The Phillies were down three games to two to the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth game of the World Series. They brought a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning to be secured by closer Mitch Williams. Rickey Henderson walked to lead off the inning and Paul Molitor singled with one out to bring up Joe Carter. With two strikes, Carter hit a three-run walk-off homerun to win the World Series.
Phillies Stretch-Run Failure: In 2003, the Phillies had the Wild Card lead for much of the second-half of the season. On September 19, they had a half-game lead over the Florida Marlins with eight games left, and finished the season five games behind them. In 2001, the Phillies were tied for the NL East lead with the Atlanta Braves with 12 games to play, and finished two games behind them. In 2005, the Phillies lost the Wild Card on the final day of the season when the Astros defeated the Cubs to maintain their one-game lead over the Phillies. Similarly, in 2006, the Phillies had a half-game Wild Card lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers with seven games left to play, and finished three games behind them.
Super Bowl XXXIX: Wide receiver Terrell Owens, who had been out with an injury following a horse-collar tackle by defensive back Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys (the injury was believed to be caused by the curse), returned for the game and performed spectacularly, but the Eagles lost by three points after starting their last drive at their 4-yard line with 46 seconds left and failing to score. McNabb, whose final pass was intercepted, was reportedly sick on the last drive, and had trouble calling plays as a result.
2001 NBA Finals: After winning the first game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the 76ers dropped the next four games as a result of the play of the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, a Philadelphia native.
Why It Never Existed:
The failure of Philadelphia's sports teams dates back to 1983, while the skyscraper wasn't built until 1987.
Mitch Williams gave up the homerun to Joe Carter not as a result of a curse, but because of overuse by manager Jim Fregosi. Williams pitched eight innings in seven postseason games.
With the exception of 2003, the Phillies had been underdogs in every season since the skyscraper's creation, so their eventual failure was to be expected.
The Eagles simply ran into an almost unbeatable team in Super Bowl XXXIX with the New England Patriots. The Patriots' victory gave them their third Super Bowl championship in four years and cemented them as one of football's rare dynasties.
The Madden NFL Cover Jinx
The Story: Whomever is featured on the latest cover of John Madden's video game series is said to perform poorly or become injured the following season.
Barry Sanders: The first person to be featured on the cover (Madden NFL 2000) other than John Madden himself, Sanders retired a week before training camp.
Dorsey Levens: Levens had a career year in 1999, which led him to be featured on the cover of the 2000 cover (released in PAL regions) of Madden NFL. He only 224 yards the next season, and was cut by the Packers.
Eddie George: Although George had a great year following his appearance on the 2001 cover, the curse is said to have caused him to bobble a pass in the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens. The bobbled pass was intercepted by Ray Lewis, who returned it for a touchdown.
Daunte Culpepper: Culpepper was featured on the 2002 cover, and led the Vikings to a disappointing 4-7 record before a season-ending knee injury.
Marshall Faulk: Faulk never broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark after appearing on the 2003 cover. He also missed five games with an ankle injury.
Michael Vick: During a preseason game, just days after the Madden NFL 2004 was released with Vick on the cover, he was injured with a fractured right fibula. He missed eleven games and the Falcons didn't make the playoffs.
Ray Lewis: For the first time in his career, Lewis didn't record one interception in the season in which he was featured on the 2005 cover. Moreover, Lewis missed the final game of the season with a broken wrist, the Ravens missed the playoffs, and Lewis suffered a season-ending injury the following year.
Donovan McNabb: Featured on the 2006 cover, McNabb revealed that he had a sports hernia injury after the first game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons. Additionally, McNabb and Owens feuded publicly throughout the season, and Owens was eventually suspended from the team. The result was the Eagles missing the playoffs for the first time in the decade. McNabb played his last game of the season in Week 11.
Shaun Alexander: The reigning MVP, Alexander, who was featured on the 2007 cover, chipped a bone in his left foot in the first game against the Detroit Lions. Currently, he has missed his last four games and has only 187 rushing yards in the three games he has played.
Why It Never Existed:
Barry Sanders was neither injured nor performed poorly; he left the team of his own volition.
Statistically, this is only slightly unlucky. The covers feature a combined four running backs, three quarterbacks, and one wide receiver. Prominent players are injured every year; these nine players just happened to be the unlucky recipients.
One could make the case that Eddie George and Ray Lewis weren't cursed by the cover. George only had one poor performance in the playoffs. Interceptions are a secondary statistic for linebackers, so Lewis' lack of one is not cause for concern. Moreover, his injury the season of his cover apperance wasn't serious.
As for the Sports Illustrated cover jinx, there are only twelve notable instances of the jinx in the fifty-two year history of the magazine. Superstition, especially in sports, implies that correlation is causation, which is never the case. Fans love the curses, though, especially if it's on their team (those masochists). The White Sox recently broke the curse of the 1919 Black Sox with their 2005 World Series championship, one year after the Red Sox ended the "Curse of the Bambino." As a result, most people were predicting the Cubs to win the 2006 World Series because they were the next most-publicized team with a curse. Instead, they faltered to a 66-96 record, proving that curses and the trends that result from them don't mean a thing.
Become a sports atheist: don't believe in the irrationality of curses, however fun they may be.
Ryan Franklin after giving up a homerun to the Mets' Jose Reyes.
Philadelphia has, for about the last 45 years, been the Mecca of uncouth fan behavior. At least, according to hyperbolized reports from journalists.
Booing Santa Claus. Booing Donovan McNabb on draft day. Throwing batteries at J.D. Drew. Cheering a potentially career-threatening injury to Michael Irvin. The Flyers fan jumping into the penalty box to fight with Tie Domi. Booing Kobe Bryant, who grew up in Philadelphia, before, during, and after the 2002 All-Star Game. Mitch Williams, the closer for the Phillies who gave up the infamous three-run, World Series-winning homerun to Joe Carter in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, receiving death threats from Phillies fans in the offseason.
Unabridged fandom in Philadelphia is popular folklore among out-of-towners, the media, and even many of the athletes who pass through the city. Young athletes are forewarned by veterans that consistent failure will be rewarded with obstinate boos and sarcastic cheers -- perhaps worse. Veterans know well enough the risk to sign with a Philly-based team whose fans do not easily let memories gently fade into oblivion.
On consecutive nights May 26 and 27, 2006 against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, Phillies reliever Ryan Franklin was given a taste of both the good and the bad the Philly phaithful have to offer. While Franklin was warming up in the bullpen during the top-half of the eighth inning on the 26th, one sober fan with his friend silent at his side, stood over the railing overlooking both the home and visitors' bullpens and yelled, "Franklin sucks! Franklin sucks!" Franklin gazed up grudgingly at the fan, who did not use foul language, and motioned for him to come down and repeat the accusation within arm’s reach. He then gestured for security to have the man removed.
Aaron Rowand and his broken nose at a press conference.
Franklin was watching a teammate receive the inverse treatment from that same fanbase on the 27th. The recipient of the fans' good graces was centerfielder Aaron Rowand, he of the broken nose circa May 11 after robbing New York Mets right fielder Xavier Nady of three RBI and extra bases. Rowand was honored with a standing ovation from the crowd at Citizens Bank Park during the announcement of the starting lineups when he trotted out to centerfield in the first inning. The ovation grew louder when Rowand took his first at-bat. Rowand was 0-4 but was cheered and clapped for vehemently each and every time he went up to the plate. Franklin apparently failed to learn his lesson, as he pitched the eighth inning, gave up three runs on two homeruns, and was saddled with the loss, leaving his record a paltry 1-4 and his ERA at 5.32.
There is not one athlete will never be on the short end of the fan appreciation stick eternally; likewise, there is no athlete who will always be on the long end of said stick at all times. Athletes go through peaks and valleys, and fans tag right along for the ride. If an athlete is in a slump, the fans will let him know they do not particularly care for his recent and continued failure. If an athlete gives up his body to make a play and help his team, the fans will also let him know how much they appreciate it. Such is the case be it Philadelphia, New York, or even the more docile Florida.
Philadelphians did boo Santa Claus -- well, what was a sad excuse for one, anyway. The original Claus (not Kris Kringle) failed to report, and the replacement was a skinny, drunken fan from the crowd at an Eagles game. Philadelphians did not boo Donovan McNabb because they did not like him; they booed McNabb because he was not Ricky Williams (in hindsight, it worked out particularly well). J.D. Drew was booed because he sat out the 1997 season (because the Phillies would not pay him upwards of $10 million), essentially wasting the second-overall pick the Phillies had in the draft. The fans were not cheering Michael Irvin's injury; they were cheering the hard tackle made by their defense on a player on a rival team. Tie Domi was the instigator in the penalty box-brawl by dumping water from a water bottle onto a heckling fan. Kobe Bryant was booed because the Lower Merion High School graduate said he was "an L.A. guy." Mitch Williams, while the death threats are indeed excessive, deserved everything else -- he handed his opponents the knife, which was sunk into the hearts of Phillies fans.
Sal Fasano and his Fu Manchu mustache.
All Philly fans ask for their unadulterated love is that athletes give their best effort in each and every game, and that they don't bash the city and its fans publicly, or, in Phillies backup catcher Sal Fasano's case, a Fu Manchu mustache. A seasonal .303 batting average, 23 HR, 93 RBI, and 29 stolen bases are wont to make a collective fanbase forget about a reluctance to dive for balls or to back into the outfield fence, as is the case with Bobby Abreu. And if a player is not good enough to win the team games throughout the season, he better not cost them any. After all, the phans really are gracious people, but one would not know because all it takes is one bad egg to spoil the omelet. Don't believe it? Here is a list of other cities' phans' transgressions (also note the Gary Sheffield incident in Boston, repeated Milton Bradley scenes, and Barry Bonds in every other city outside of San Francisco, as well):
August 26, 1986: A knife with a five-inch blade was thrown at rookie Wally Joyner of the California Angels after beating the Yankees. Joyner was grazed on the left arm but was not seriously harmed.
September 24, 1999: A fan jumped out of the stands and tackled Astros right fielder Bill Spiers in the bottom of the sixth inning. Spiers had a welt under his left eye, a bloody nose and whiplash.
November 24, 1999: Broncos fans throw snowballs with batteries in them at Raiders.
May 16, 2000: Backup Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter was hit in the head by a fan, who also stole his cap. Kreuter and several Dodgers went into the stands and a brawl followed.
August 29, 2002: In the Majors' final game before the strike deadline, fans threw foul balls back onto the field and chanted "Don't Strike! Don't Strike!'' as the Anaheim Angels beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 6-1.
September 19, 2002: Kansas City coach Tom Gamboa was attacked by a father and son who came out of the stands at the same stadium, then called Comiskey Park.
April 15, 2003: A fan ran on the field at U.S. Cellular Field and attempted to tackle an umpire during a game between the White Sox and visiting Kansas City.
April 19, 2003: Texas Rangers right fielder Carl Everett was beaned in the back of the head with a cell phone in Oakland.
April 24, 2003: A fan was charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct for throwing a cell phone, which hit San Diego Padres third baseman Sean Burroughs, during a Chicago Cubs game.
April --, 2003: A fan almost bit off a police officer's pinkie finger when the officer tried to help Coliseum security break up an argument between fans.
June 10, 2003: One Orioles fan threw cork at Sosa from the stands and another ran onto the field throwing cork at him.
July 8, 2003: An 8-year-old boy at the Oakland Athletics' game against Tampa Bay had burns on one of his legs when another fan tossed a cherry bomb from the upper deck of the Coliseum.
September 20, 2003: A Giants fan in the Dodger Stadium parking lot shot a Dodgers fan. "Apparently we have multiple suspects who are Giants fans who got into an argument with a Dodger fan," Officer Adriana Sanchez, a police spokeswoman said.
December 24, 2003: Two fans at an Islanders game, dressed up as Santa Claus due to a promotion which invited fans to dress up as Santa Claus for free admission to the game against the Philadelphia Flyers, were permitted to parade across the ice between periods, along with the almost one thousand other Santa-fans. The two removed their red jackets to reveal jerseys of the rival Rangers, and were knocked to the ice and had their shirts ripped off by Islanders fans.
September 11, 2005: Baltimore Ravens fans cheer quarterback Kyle Boller reeling in pain due to a hyper-extended left toe, after being tackled by Larry Triplett.
September 15, 2005: Ohio State tight end Ryan Hamby received hate letters since dropping a sure touchdown pass during the Buckeyes' loss to Texas.
September 22, 2005: Several Giants fans spewed New Orleans Saints fans with taunts about Hurricane Katrina during a game at Giants Stadium. "Where's your swimmies? I hope you have your swimmies!" one fan asked a New Orleans resident. "You deserve what you got," another said. "New Orleans people are stupid."
October 16, 2005: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox fumbled a snap, threw three interceptions, including one in overtime that was returned for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fans subsequently threw trash on his lawn.
October 25, 2005: Houston Astro Craig Biggio’s wife Patty was slapped by a White Sox fan after Scott Podsednik hit a game-winning homerun.
March 22, 2006: Philadelphia Flyer R.J. Umberger was hit from behind and spent considerable time on the ice before getting to his feet and skating off under his own power while being booed by New York Rangers fans.
So, the next time they bash Philadelphia fans for their behavior, set them straight. Remind them of how they cheered Moises Alou when he was carted off the field after spraining his right ankle chasing a foul ball in an 8-3 loss on May 5. Remind them of how graciously and frequently Aaron Rowand was applauded in his return 16 days after his face met the outfield fence in centerfield. Explain to them that Philadelphia is a city just like any other, whose denizens have watched their four collective major sports teams fail to win a championship for twenty-two years running. More importantly, make the comparison that booing a drunk, emaciated Santa Claus pales in comparison to shooting a fan of a rival team or tossing a cherry bomb in a stadium full of people. Philadelphia fans have been misreprestented for nearly forty-five years, it's time to set things straight.
Visit my new website -- Crashburn Alley!>
Crashburn Alley is a fusion of the phrase "crash and burn" with Ashburn Alley, which is beyond the center field fence at Citizens Bank Park. You can read more about Crashburn Alley here.>
I'm a diehard Phillies fan who is still reeling from the 1993 World Series and Joe Carter's three-run homerun in Game 6.
