As most people know by now, the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series. In typical Philadelphia sophomoric fashion, fans celebrated by destroying property. It’s hard to imagine what would have happened had the Phillies lost the Series.
Philadelphia fans are noted for being rude and immature. During the last game, fans booed the Tampa Bay Rays players, and booed the pitcher every time he attempted to pick off a runner at first base. This depicts not sportsmanship, but immaturity and lack of culture. Based on previous history with Philly sports fans, I predicted flaming cars in the event of a victory – or a loss.
The flaming cars appeared on schedule, but the damage far exceeded that mark. Fans overturned the huge ceramic planters along Broad Street and threw them into the street. Rioters smashed shop windows and looted stores. They tore down traffic lights and street signs, much in the same manner of goal posts after a football game. Fans even destroyed trees. Many people were hurt by flying bottles, and one man described being hit over the head with a bottle, and then a glass. Someone, not content with simply stealing the rear wheel of a bicycle locked to a pole, decided to destroy the rest of the bike also.
None of this happened in secrecy, because hundreds of thousands of people were in the streets. Apparently the mob mentality sanctioned these events. In another day and age, the perpetrators would have been not only deterred by others, but made to pay a price for their actions.
For most people, celebration brings to mind a happy event, a time for good will and elation. It’s hard to imagine how or why making life miserable for innocent people, as well as causing physical harm to some, fits into that category.
Reports say that much of the damage was caused by college students, and they mentioned Drexel and Temple. I’m a Drexel grad, and the curriculum must have changed considerably since I attended. College-age students always enjoy a good prank, but there’s not much funny about committing felony mischief.
I never understood vandalism on any level. What mentality (or lack thereof) motivates individuals to destroy the property of others? Why do some people think they have the right to take what doesn’t belong to them? The blame for lack of achievement rests solely on the underachiever, not on others.
Two weeks ago I celebrated my birthday. My wife made me a pineapple upside-down cake and gave me a few shirts. For some strange reason I never considered breaking out my neighbors’ windows, or starting a fire in the street. Am I missing something here?
They’re planning a parade along Market and Broad Streets today. That’s great for the team members, who accomplished something special, but I’m not sure the fans deserve it. Maybe it’s a good thing that championships for Philadelphia sports teams come few and far between.