As a kid growing up in DC, my loyalties were split between Nats and Birds. Home games against the Orioles were awkward for me, as I cheered for both teams’ success. Each had excellent players, including a powerhouse named Frank for each franchise.
Still, there was one spot of common ground to be found among fans of both nines, best summed up with the logo from a t-shirt my brother created: “Phuck the Phillies.”
It wasn’t just that Philadelphia fans were, proudly, boorish. What really rankled was that the team was so damned good. Birds or Nats, if Philadelphia was the opponent, the greatest likelihood was an L in your near future.
It is difficult to shake off lifelong rivalries and resentments, but, today, I find myself tipping my batting helmet to the City of Brotherly Love. Because, despite their reputation as rude, overly vociferous loyalists, they’ve demonstrated that some behavior is beneath even Phillies fans.
I mean, would *you* want this guy associated with your favorite team?
Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito is a noted Phillies fan, which, honestly is pretty low on the list of his character flaws. He has Phillies paraphernalia on his walls, has deeps thoughts about sabermetrics, and makes bets with colleagues on the outcome of games. Despite his affinity for the hometown team, it seems the good people of Philadelphia have had quite enough.
In the wake of the revelation that a flag signaling support of Donald Trump and the “Stop the Steal” movement flew in front of the Alito home in January 2021 (plus, you know, there’s the whole “taking away your rights thing“), a truck advertising a potential “trade” of Samuel Alito was spotted around Philly. In an effort to shake the curse of Dobbs, fans want to give away Alito to the Braves.
Tempting, but I’m not sure what ATL has done to deserve it. Maybe the Hoot Owls.