You’re on notice

By John McMullen

Perception is greater than reality.

That’s not exactly a profound statement but Philadelphia sports fans need to figure that out.

I hear so many complain about how they are perceived outside the region and how unfair it is. And, maybe it is but if any Philly fan balks about how they are being portrayed -- they are missing the big picture.

Right or wrong -- fair or not -- the fans of Philadelphia are viewed in a very negative manner by most of the media, opposing fans and -- most importantly -- the athletes themselves.

As someone who grew up in South Jersey and migrated to other parts of the country, I have witnessed this phenomenon first hand. In nearly a decade spent covering the NFL and the NBA -- traveling from coast to coast -- I’ve heard some great stories about the Philadelphia fans --most of them not fit for print.

Hank Goldberg of ESPN told me that the only remote broadcast of his career he couldn’t finish was in Philadelphia. The veteran announcer was trying to interview a woman in a Randy Moss jersey but the Eagles fans surrounding the area wouldn’t stop pouring beer on the visiting fan.

Lance Johnstone -- who grew up in the city and went to Temple -- once told me he loved going home but would never want to play here.

Last year, former Phillie Todd Jones had this to say in the Sporting News: “What the fans want most is interaction. If you wave or smile, they usually will be great to you the rest of the time. They want a ball. They want you to make their day at the game an experience. For the most part, the fans I've dealt with have been wonderful. I've met neat people all over the country. If players treat fans with respect, we'll get it in return most of the time. Unless we're in Philly.”

Heck, even one of your own took you to task last week. "Philadelphia in particular is a tough town for athletes to play in," Comcast chairman Ed Snider told Kevin Roberts of the Camden Courier Post. "That's what concerns me. If I were an athlete, I'd want to play in a place that wasn't so critical. It's a tough town. It's a great place to play when you win. But when you're having troubles, it's tough.”

Then Snider -- who has owned a professional sports team in this town for 40 years -- dropped this little bomb: “If I were a player, I wouldn't want to play here. People boo more than they used to. It's unfortunate."

If you want to dismiss Goldberg, Johnstone, Jones, Snider and dozens of others -- feel free -- but before you do --take some inventory.

Like most stereotypes, there is some truth to the ugly Philadelphia fan.

And, one of the newest Phillies hit you over the head with it on Friday. While, the Phils haven’t even approached Freddy Garcia about an extension, the right-hander made it clear he wanted to acclimate himself to the City before making any decisions about staying.

"I've only been in Philadelphia once," Garcia told Philadelphia Daily News. "I want to make sure I like it. I want to make sure my family is comfortable."

Translation -- Freddy put you all on notice.

Cheer or boo -- any fan has that right -- just do it with some class.