Placido's Song
Who weeps for Placido Polanco? A skape-goat and patsy like Lee Harvey Oswald, Mr. Polanco has found himself the latest victim of Philadelphia's self-destructive sports fan base.
As many of you know, Philadelphia has gone over 20 years without a national sports championship. Of the 15 most populated cities in America, Philadelphia is one of only two (the other being Detroit) that actually has a shrinking urban population. It is always bad to be likened to Detroit. So this city has set it's sights on the hard-nosed Placido Polanco, the latest victim of its misguided sports lynch mob, which has chased people like Larry Brown, Terry "Tito" Francona, and Curt Schilling out of town so they could win championships elsewhere. Granted Francona was an idiot, Schilling an egomaniac, and Larry Brown couldn't work with Iverson- but let's not split hairs.
Mr. Polanco has merited a starting spot in the Philadelphia infield. He is a career .294 hitter who has struck out only 222 times in 9 seasons. After the 2004 all-star break Polanco hit .326 and socked 12 homers. The fan base however believes they know more than the management and has collectively demanded youngster Chase Utley play second base- so that the team will have a better chance to win in both the present and the future. But what could a fan base of a team that has won only one world series in 100+ years possibly know about winning? Couldn't their chances of winning be better if they just kept their mouths shut, were patient, and allowed the management to run its course? Ed Wade may be a moron, but it's not like overt fan action like hurling batteries at JD Drew or "honking for Hershel" has brought home any championships. Please that kind of reprehensible conduct only brings Phialdelphia closer to Detroit. Or perhaps it is the bi-product of depression?
As it stands now, the fans have booed Mr. Polanco when he has been introduced, and booed him when he has made outs. He has responded by keeping his mouth shut (unlike the fans mind you) and helping the Phils win games. He was booed on national TV Sunday night against the Atlanta Braves, and responded by preserving a tie by gunning down Johnny Estrada at the plate. Incidentally, both Estrada and the player the Phillies traded him for (the enigmatic Kevin Millwood) have found greener pastures after leaving Philadelphia. Polanco later drove in both the game-tying and game-winning runs.
Nevertheless there are no signs the boos will stop until Utley locks up second base. And why is David Bell not booed? Surely Polanco could replace the under-achieving Bell at third base, and Utley could play second base while Bell sits. "Race" is one theory why Bell is not booed instead of Polanco- Bell is white, Utley is white, most of the fans are white, and Polanco is not white. But let's hope the city and team that were notorious for giving Jackie Robinson a hard time are beyond such conduct as we have reached the next millenium. And let's not single Philadelphia out as a racist city- Philadelphia Pennsylvania isn't even the most racist city in America named "Philadelphia." Indeed substantial steps have been made in Philadelphia, but it is disheartening to see a predominantly white crowd of clueless privileged suburbanites, souf Philadelphians, and Cherry Hill white trash booing Polanco in favor of Utley and perhaps Bell. But what the hell do I know anyway? Here is where you can go to see how it all really is- You didn't know? Well then I strongly recommend you ask somebody.
Regardless, I weep for Placido
As many of you know, Philadelphia has gone over 20 years without a national sports championship. Of the 15 most populated cities in America, Philadelphia is one of only two (the other being Detroit) that actually has a shrinking urban population. It is always bad to be likened to Detroit. So this city has set it's sights on the hard-nosed Placido Polanco, the latest victim of its misguided sports lynch mob, which has chased people like Larry Brown, Terry "Tito" Francona, and Curt Schilling out of town so they could win championships elsewhere. Granted Francona was an idiot, Schilling an egomaniac, and Larry Brown couldn't work with Iverson- but let's not split hairs.
Mr. Polanco has merited a starting spot in the Philadelphia infield. He is a career .294 hitter who has struck out only 222 times in 9 seasons. After the 2004 all-star break Polanco hit .326 and socked 12 homers. The fan base however believes they know more than the management and has collectively demanded youngster Chase Utley play second base- so that the team will have a better chance to win in both the present and the future. But what could a fan base of a team that has won only one world series in 100+ years possibly know about winning? Couldn't their chances of winning be better if they just kept their mouths shut, were patient, and allowed the management to run its course? Ed Wade may be a moron, but it's not like overt fan action like hurling batteries at JD Drew or "honking for Hershel" has brought home any championships. Please that kind of reprehensible conduct only brings Phialdelphia closer to Detroit. Or perhaps it is the bi-product of depression?
As it stands now, the fans have booed Mr. Polanco when he has been introduced, and booed him when he has made outs. He has responded by keeping his mouth shut (unlike the fans mind you) and helping the Phils win games. He was booed on national TV Sunday night against the Atlanta Braves, and responded by preserving a tie by gunning down Johnny Estrada at the plate. Incidentally, both Estrada and the player the Phillies traded him for (the enigmatic Kevin Millwood) have found greener pastures after leaving Philadelphia. Polanco later drove in both the game-tying and game-winning runs.
Nevertheless there are no signs the boos will stop until Utley locks up second base. And why is David Bell not booed? Surely Polanco could replace the under-achieving Bell at third base, and Utley could play second base while Bell sits. "Race" is one theory why Bell is not booed instead of Polanco- Bell is white, Utley is white, most of the fans are white, and Polanco is not white. But let's hope the city and team that were notorious for giving Jackie Robinson a hard time are beyond such conduct as we have reached the next millenium. And let's not single Philadelphia out as a racist city- Philadelphia Pennsylvania isn't even the most racist city in America named "Philadelphia." Indeed substantial steps have been made in Philadelphia, but it is disheartening to see a predominantly white crowd of clueless privileged suburbanites, souf Philadelphians, and Cherry Hill white trash booing Polanco in favor of Utley and perhaps Bell. But what the hell do I know anyway? Here is where you can go to see how it all really is- You didn't know? Well then I strongly recommend you ask somebody.
Regardless, I weep for Placido
posted by McStallen at
9:58 PM
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