Upon moving to the Philadelphia area over Labor Day weekend I was indifferent towards the Phillies and their fans. Like the rest of Brewers Nation I have been focused on our team's run at the postseason. Plus, hatred of the Cubs and their fans has nothing to do with one's proximity to Chicago, where I most recently lived. I detest them now as much as ever.
However my Phillies indifference changed once the final playoff pairings became known. Suddenly I was a curiosity in my office, a Brewers fan living on the East Coast. Based on the questions from my co-workers it is clear that they know as much about Milwaukee and the Brewers as Sarah Palin knows about foreign policy and the economy.
"My husband is worried about this CC guy," one of them said. "Is he good?"
You'll find out soon enough, I thought.
None of their comments compare to the inane ramblings of Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Gonzalez. Sounding like someone who has never set foot in Wisconsin, Gonzalez blasted Milwaukee in Wednesday's Inquirer.
"Philly has always been able to work up animosity for other cities. Dallas, New York, Boston -- pick the place, we can detest it. But how do you dislike Milwaukee? Milwaukee is the awkward home schooled kid of American Cities. It's the three-legged pound puppy of these United States."
He added, "Every conversation that begins with Have you been to Milwaukee? invariably ends with Yes, those poor people."
Shortly thereafter he ridiculed OnMilwaukee.com and our beloved sausage race.
Needless to say, I'm not feeling much love for Philadelphia or Phillies fans at the moment.
Based on Inquirer headlines lately, it is hard to imagine Gonzalez taking cheap shots at any city, much less one he knows nothing about. Hopefully CC Sabathia will give oblivious Phillies fans an education tonight. They definitely need one.
And go Dodgers!
