I’m not saying I would have booed Cole Hamels or his performance against the Mets had I gone to CBP to get my Opening Week T-shirt on Tuesday night. Still, you can see why he got booed and you know what, that’s perfectly fine.
It’s called being a fan who shells out hard-earned money in a cruddy economy voicing displeasure with the product. It happens in business everyday and sports are a business.
Hamels, the fourth ace, went up against a team he has struggled against during his career and posted the following line: 2.2 IP, 7H, 6ER, 3Ks, 2 BB.
The fact that the opposing pitcher got two hits in the third inning was borderline disgraceful. The fact that a hated Metropolitan was crossing our plate every 32.5 seconds was enough to make even Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn cry. You can see where the frustration would come into play. And, the fans let the team know it.
Cole Hamels allowed 6 runs in 2.2 innings in Tuesday's loss. Some media members are ripping Phillies fans for booing during the game.
The Daily News’ Paul Hagen has a problem with you booing Phillies fans.
“So why in the name of Adam Eaton did a vocal segment of the 127th consecutive sellout at Citizens Bank Park lustily boo as Hamels trudged from the mound?
In the end, that was probably the most disappointing thing of all that happened at Citizens Bank Park last night.”
Hagen points out that Hamels has had bad games before and will again. Says the Doc, Cliff and Oswalt will as well. He’s absolutely right and we all know that.
The point is, however, that we may not love Cole the way we do Cliff or Doc or Roy O. or even Lidge. But, we all appreciate what Hamels is — a future ace of this staff. That doesn’t mean we sit on our hands and fall asleep during a bad sequence of events.
Also, the expectations are so high for this team — and this staff — that we expect quality starts each day. There are going to be times when we are too hard on them, but it goes with the territory of having a team normally reserved for the Bronx or Beantown. We’ve entered that stratosphere.
And, Hagen, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t discuss the incredible passion of Phillies fans and how we’ve sold out 127 straight games and then expect that passion to disappear when things go wrong.
If you went to your favorite sandwich shop and got a burnt roll with raw meat on it, would you just let it go or would you let someone know? I’m guessing you’d want a new sandwich. That’s all Phillies fans were doing. They were letting it be known that they weren’t happy in the heat of the moment. That’s OK. It’s called being a fan.
Paul, get out of the press box one day and be with everyday folks. Jack up the credit card balance by purchasing tickets for you and your entire family. Tailgate with us. Watch a game with us. Then, maybe, you’ll understand us and the rights we have as fans.
