Let us all pause and reflect a moment on one number, 10,000. The number itself is not that interesting, but when it is put in terms of wins and losses for a sports franchise, it is huge. The Philadelphia Phillies baseball team has officially become the first major sports franchise to reach that historic number in losses. No other franchise has lost more games than the Phillies.
The franchise was started in 1883 and over the ensuing century and a quarter, the city has been a witness to over 8800 wins and 10,000 losses, with 1 World Series thrown in just to pacify the masses. The players have taken the historic loss in stride, knowing that it was going to happen this season no matter how well they played. The team officials have tried to downplay the mark, saying that any franchise that has been around as long as the Phillies will eventually reach the same mark. The problem is that they are first and it comes in yet another lackluster season for the lowly Phillies.
As a Phillies fan, I have to question my sanity and intelligence for continuing to follow a team that is guaranteed to disappoint every year. In fact, if you look at all of the major Philadelphia sports teams, all of them continue to disappoint. It has been 24 years since a championship parade marched down Broad St. in Philly. What other city, with at least 1 team per major professional sport, has waited that long? The management of each team makes excuses each year, about injuries and not enough money. The best excuse comes from Eagles management when they say that they are the gold standard for how to run a team in the NFL. Other teams may look at how they negotiate contracts, but without a Super Bowl ring, the gold standard is nothing more than gold spray paint.
10,000 losses is just a number, but it is a fitting reminder to all of us Philadelphia fans at the futility of being a fan of the Phillie, Sixers, Flyers, and Eagles. We will continue to watch, follow, root, and most of all boo our teams every year. After all, we are from Philly and rooting for any other team is just not going to happen, even when the 11,000 losses is reached.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 27
Tug said, "Ya gotta believe." They went on to win the 69 World Series. Don't turn your back on the Phillies. I wouldn't be so generous with the Red Sox until the players become Yankees. Oh! Stop your whining.
So even with the Yankees barely over 500 and 9 games out I have to feel great!
Although it's too bad there is basically no revenue-sharing in MLB, a number of organizations have put together winning teams through a combination of farming, "renting" players, and astute use of role players.
Scince I became old enough to follow sports in the '60's. Philadelphia teams have been in the championship game or series 10 times, 17 times if you include hockey. Houston teams have made it three times over the same span, 2 NBA wins and one woeful World Series loss.
Anyone want to bet the Texans set the record for the quickest NFL team to 100 losses?
Nice to know there are other sad fans on a daily basis - and I'n not even including the poor Cubbies.