In Which The Guy From Deadspin Attempts To Show His Philadelphia Bonafides But Mostly Reveals Himself A Sad Midwesterner

The following guest post comes from the one and only Will Leitch, editor of Deadspin, the world's most popular sports blog (mostly because of the girl in the Snorg Tees ads. Seriously, turn off adblock for Deadspin).

Greetings, Philadelphians. I come in as a replacement for A.J. Daulerio, who is far more qualified to discuss matters Philadelphia than I am. (Where's Mamula?) Here's my favorite Philadelphia story. A few years ago, A.J. and I, along with fellow Black Table editor Eric Gillin, headed to the Vet for a Red Sox-Phillies game. (By the way, our fourth BT editor, Aileen Gallagher, also is from Philly. This would explain why we ran so many stories about the Reading Terminal Market.) It was the game that Nomar had six hits but the Phillies won on a Todd Pratt walk-off homer.

We headed down Pat and Geno's way post-game, when Daulerio informed me that "the Philadelphia thing" was to eat three cheesesteaks after every Phillies win. Wanting to fit in -- and not wanting to seem like a Midwestern pussy -- I dug in. I made it through 1 1/2 before my colon exploded. Daulerio informed me that this was not, in fact, a Philadelphia "thing;" he was just messing with me. Daulerio's a dick. By the way, Pat's is better. Obviously.

Anyway, I have family in Philadelphia and head down there twice a year from NYC, and I've never found it anything other than entirely pleasant. I know New Yorkers are supposed to be derisive toward Philadelphia, but I've never understood why. My uncles live in Philly, over by Lower Merion High School, right next to a hospital that is entirely for people who use wheelchairs. It is astounding to me how quickly those guys move; I think my sister thought they were actually the subway system.

I'm off an a tangent, but I really just wanted to say that Deadspin loves Philadelphia; it really is one of my favorite cities in the world, though now that Daulerio lives there, there's no reason for me to go there anymore. If you were wanting actual, you know, news today, sorry: I'm just here to tell you how much I love your city, and to thank you for Scott Rolen. Hey, how's Bud Smith working out?

Comments

[ForTheShorties]

Leitch is not the balls. Go back to your Karaoke.

[Civil Negligence]

"Daulerio's a dick."

I thought he was the balls? We need the Balls to write a guest spot, too.

[Walklett]

Can A.J. Daulerio's parents please do the next guest post? That shit is hilarious.

[johndewar]

I think Bud Smith ended up as the bathroom attendent at Club Risque on the Delaware.

[enrico]

I was watching that game from the O.D. in Sea Isle. One of the best phils games in recent memory.

[Matt P]

gotta love a little No-Shower-Happy-Hour at the OD.

but Geno's > Pat's. big time obviously.

[Jon]

Nothing like a half-condescending pat on the back from our big brother to the north ... a New York transplant, no less, too. Glad you find this city "entirely pleasant." At least you didn't call it "Philly," I hate when out-of-towners -- New Yorkers particularly -- say that.

By the way, Lower Merion is not part of Philadelphia ... therefore Kobe is not either.

At least you do recognize Pat's is better than Geno's. Oh, and Deadspin is pretty cool.

[GreggyD]

That Phillies game was definitely the best in recent memory. I'm glad people actually DO respect Philly sometimes because we are always mentioned in such a negative light, when in fact, our fans are the best and most realist fans in the nation.

I was recently talking to a Steelers fan who told me that when they missed the playoffs this year that he said "Oh it's ok, not a big deal." I don't care if the Eagles had just won the Super Bowl, I would definitely be pissed if they didn't make the playoffs the next year. It just goes to show how passionate we are and how uncommitted and uncaring other cities are.

[Chris]

Steelers fans are a joke, end of story.

[kg]

Pratt tripped and almost fell over after he hit the home run, most likely because he was completely shocked that he didn't strike out.

just kidding. i miss you Todd Pratt.