Phils, Thrills and Kills

That was a long, hard game the Phils fought last night. Just when you thought they were going to roar back, they drooped instead, and finally lost, 2-1, in 14 innings. Ryan Howard coming through in the eighth to tie the game was a welcome sight. So was the phalanx of relief pitchers who hung tight after Cliff Lee departed. But how hard was it to watch poor Raul Ibanez get sent out to face the music again and again, and wind up 0 for 34? (By the way, GQ, if we’re the worst fans in America, how come we’re not hailing boos down on him? Because we feel his pain, that’s why. Because we care.)

It got downright surreal in the ninth, when the chants of “U.S.A.! U.S.A!” began. I started cutting away to CNN at commercials, and it seemed as though the crowds filing out of CBP were heading right over to the White House. All those exuberant young people—well, who else but college kids can stage a rally at midnight on a Sunday? News of bin Laden’s death more than made up for the Phils’ loss. But the juxtaposition of what was going on—fans cheering for a baseball game, Americans cheering for the killing of their enemy—was unsettling and strange.

It isn’t very important in the grand scheme of things, but you know what, ESPN? Your little KZone box is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. It actually interferes with my ability to see what’s going on in the game. Get that thing the f*** off the screen before the Braves come to visit next Sunday, or we’ll show you the worst fans in America. (To add your complaint to mine, go here and vent straight to ESPN.)