I would consider myself to be the biggest Phillies fan in the world quite simply because of the time, money , and sacrifice that I put into just supporting them.
It all goes back to the time I was 6 years old and waited in line with my parents to get tickets to the world series in 1980 outside the Vet, listening to stories about the Phillies from my father. I have stuck by them since. In 1991 I moved to Ireland when my parents got divorced just to get away from everything that was going on, and to be quite honest the only thing I missed beside my family was the Phillies. The only way you could really follow them was by reading USA Today international edition, and that was a day late. In 1993 the small highlight films were available at ungodly hours of the night, but I watched them. Then in 2000 when MLB AUDIO was introduced I never looked back.
Honestly I have listened to every single Phillies game live on MLB audio or MLB tv with the exception of the west coast games because they start at 3am my time. My wife thinks I’m nuts but I have stuck by this team through every pitch and every call for the last eight years. I have had to endure some pretty lean years and I always have thought that this was going to be there year but had always been let down, until last year and this year…. I have also been back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean numerous times since 2000 for games. I have attended at least 2 to 3 home stands every year since at a cost of between $600 to $1000 for an airline ticket from Ireland. I was at the closing of the Vet, I was at the Opening of the Bank, I was at Spring Training in 07, and decided to do it again this year because they made it to the playoffs last year, I thought it was a good omen. Even for NLDS this year, I got up at 4 am Irish time Wed morning (11pm Philly time Tuesday night) traveled through the night to arrive at 11am in Newark and then drove to Philly to attend the first game against the Brew crew, and attended the second game and flew back for work on Saturday morning.
And get this. Me and my wife just celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary this weekend, and you know what she got me, and airline ticket to Philly on Saturday and I still don’t have a ticket.
In closing, I know we all spend a lot of time and we have all spent a lot supporting this team, but I think what I have done over the years merits getting a ticket. I have screamed, yelled and cried with this team since 1980 and I don’t want to miss this opportunity for me and my father. I want to bring him as he brought me 28 years ago. And for my wife that has put up with me lying along side her in bed at night listening to every game on the internet, and leaving me go home to PA 2 or 3 times a year for games.
I really believe I deserve this as a true fan that has been here and will always be here and really want to savour this moment.
Thank you for the opportunity to tell my story and look forward to your reply.
Kind Regards,
Robert
Kenmare, Ireland
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