Nick Piccone
It’s the perfect day to try to avoid sports radio. But maybe you don’t want to. Maybe you’re like me and can’t avoid it because it’s become a part of your daily routine. But maybe you can’t do it today. Maybe because you’ll hear sports radio hosts and people on social media yell and complain about Phillies fans cheering Chase Utley last night.
The beginning of the game? Cool. Before Utley takes his first step into the batter’s box, while the music gods play “Kashmir” as he gets ready to start a game in which is his first game back in Philly after an historic run as a Phillie. And in what could only be described as a depressing blowout as the Dodgers just took the Phillies’ lunch money and run – Utley was literally the lone bright spot for the people who paid money to see baseball being played at Citizens Bank Park last night.
I love Chase Utley. I don’t normally care about the athlete over the logo, but Utley – for me – has transcended that. For as long as I can remember, nobody has impacted the way I look at the game of baseball – the game that I love more than anything – more than Utley. That’s how many other fans feel, too. We’re the “new generation” and everything, which is fine. But if you’re going to sit there and tell me I can’t cheer for my most favorite athlete of all-time – you’re the one that just doesn’t get it.
You can label fans as not getting it. Whatever. Your prerogative. I’ve heard too many people at this point bash the fans for cheering Utley’s home runs last night. I almost get it. Utley’s a Dodger. The Phillies are barely hanging on to a chance to make a Wild Card run. So, GOTTA BE A GOOD PHILLY FAN!
Honestly, we were the best fans last night. The fans who paid homage to one of the greatest Phillies of all-time. You’ll hear the talking heads tell us we’re wrong for cheering Utley after he hit his home runs. You’ll hear them tell us cheering Utley before the game starts is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than cheering him during the game in which he does something that harms our baseball team.
Be above that. You’re better than that. You know why you cheered Chase Utley last night. I know why I did. You don’t need to explain yourself to anybody.