Heard in the Cheap Seats

How does it feel Philadelphia?  It’s a bit strange isn’t it?  Perhaps even a little foreign?

It’s no wonder you are having trouble identifying this feeling—you haven’t experienced it since 1983.  For the first time in 26 years, the city of Philadelphia has a World Championship to defend and that title defense kicks off tonight against the Atlanta Braves.

But beware Philadelphia: Heavy is the head that wears the crown.  

For the next 162 games, the Phillies will be sporting a huge red bull’s eye on their back.  In every game, every series, the opposing team will bring a little something extra in an effort to knock off the defending champs.

The Phillies can no longer claim the role of underdog.  Sure, some experts are picking the Mets to win the division and the World Series based on their offseason spending spree.  But plenty of other experts realize that this Phillies team still has the firepower to make another run deep into the playoffs.  In short: this Philadelphia Phillies team will not sneak up on anybody this year.

It is a role that the Phillies and this city are not accustomed to playing.  In the past two years, the Phillies thrived on the notion that most felt the Mets would win the NL East. Likewise, the city of Philadelphia relishes its reputation as a blue-collar town.  And living just an hour and 15 minutes from the world’s most recognized city only enhances Philadelphia’s grit.  The Phillies rivalry with the Mets mirrors that relationship.  Just up the NJ Turnpike, the Mets are the flashier team willing to spend money on high-priced free agents.  The Phillies on the other hand make their living by building a team from the ground up and feeding off the energy and grittiness of players like Chase Utley and Shane Victorino.  

The city of Philadelphia versus the city of New York.  The Philadelphia Phillies versus the New York Mets.  Two different flavors of the same rivalry. 

If history is any indication, the Phillies will be hard-pressed to repeat as champs.  It is a feat that is rarely pulled off and should provide some insight into the pressures of a season-long title defense.  It should also serve as a stark reminder that winning a title takes some measure of luck to avoid things like catastrophic injuries.  Perhaps the improbability of the feat will be just the carrot needed to play the underdog card, the “nobody thought we could pull this off” card.  

Whether or not the Phillies can take Philadelphia on another amazing journey remains to be seen.  But this much is certain: we damn sure better savor the feeling of defending a title.  Philadelphia of all cities should know that this moment can be fleeting.