Should you root for the “City That Never Sleeps”, or the “City of Brotherly Love”? There’s many reasons why you could root for both cities for every sport. Find out what city you will root for in this writing.
Let’s start with New York Sports, more specifically, let’s start with the great sport of hockey. I mean where do I even start? New York hockey is America’s version of Canadian hockey. It’s huge culturally, and if you go to a game you would agree with me. Their fanbase is impeccable. Madison Square Garden (Where the NY Rangers play) is sold out almost every game. Every Rangers fan shows up and engages with the game enthusiastically by chanting, singing the halftime karaoke, chanting the goalies last name after a big save or a shutout. Some even chanting trash talk to the other team if they do something dirty, or at the ref if they miss a call.
When you walk around the area of 7th Avenue & 31st Street in Manhattan on a Rangers playoff game day, you will see one whole city unite as if they were going into war, by wearing the team merchandise, and putting flags up on buildings, houses, and backyards, and even parks. The famed Central Park has a watch party every year around playoff time, where people just like you and me can sit together and watch the beautiful game of playoff hockey. Fans will even honk at each other in the car after a win. No need to worry if you don’t like the Rangers and root for the other team, you may hear some trash talk but you wont get spit on or be the subject of violence like Philly fans do.
The New York Rangers are usually a playoff-caliber team almost every year, with Hall of Fame caliber goaltending every year, and insanely skilled goalscorers that can undress the defense faster than you can blink.
That’s enough about hockey. Let’s talk about New York Football. Now I am a little less enthusiastic about this topic because the past couple of years have not been our year, trying to rebuild and win at the same time. It’s not a great idea but overall the New York Giants won several super bowls, and one against undefeated Tom Brady and his New England Patriots dynasty. Now the New York Giants aren’t known for flash, grace, and fancy looks. We are a defensively gritty team but you know what they say, “defense wins championships”. Fortunately the Giants fan base sticks true to the team by letting the Giants know when to step it up or to cheer them on when they’re doing well. Also, the Buffalo Bills are a great team to watch and just to be a part of, because they have the most famous fanbase in all of football (Bills Mafia). They’re respectful but crazy, diehard fanatics. They jump on tables with snow on them shirtless and you’re sure to see something crazy if you go to a tailgate. Also lately the Bills have been a hot team with Josh Allen almost single handedly carrying the team to the playoffs.
Ah yes, New York Baseball is one of the most famous topics of New York. New York baseball history contains the most famous rivalry in the Northeast. The Yankees versus the Mets. This famous sparring match between fans on game day is the fun of it all. The Yankees have their 27 championship rings from a long time ago, and the Mets are a young team looking to have success that they haven’t had in years.
That’s all for New York, I’ll pass it along to the Philadelphia sports expert.
-Brandon Jacob
I’m going to cut to the chase here. Philadelphia is just better in any sport New York thinks they’re the best at. Football certainly. The Eagles have won two of the last seven Super Bowls, and we’ve appeared in three. The Giants have been irrelevant since they had the last name Manning on their roster, and the Jets haven’t done any good since Joe Namath was playing, and now he’s filming commercials for joint ointment. The Eagles are the new kings of the NFL in the Northeast, and boy does it feel good to be a fan now. We have the best GM in the league with Howie Roseman, a coach who can take pressure from the fans, and a roster that is begging to be on the field for all 60 minutes.
As of late, the Phillies of the MLB are on a downward trend, but we always bounce back. With names on our roster like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and the most athletic catcher in MLB history in JT Realmuto, the Phillies are ones to look out for in October. We have a wonderful farm system, and even have a team in Ocean County, just 20 minutes away in Lakewood! While the Yankees are better known, they’ll always fall short to the Fightin’ Phils, even with their 27 rings, 25 of them being in the prehistoric era.
The Knicks seem like frauds now, they lost to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. How does that happen? They were supposed to win it all! The 76ers are due for a rebuild, but once they do, look out. The Nets haven’t been relevant since they played in New Jersey! I can’t talk much about my 76ers, but I know deep in my heart that they will achieve more.
The Flyers were on par with the Rangers last season, and the downfall of the Rangers in the NHL puts a smile on my face. I’m personally a Devils fan, but Newark is as close as I will get to NYC sports-wise. The Flyers are also on a rebuild, and with their arena getting a new name, a new beginning is on the horizon for the Broad Street Bullies.
Overall, I think Philadelphia has all you need to be a sports fan. Championship caliber teams, and some underdogs who can be rooted for. Next year is Philadelphia’s year, I can feel it.
-Valentino Vaccarella
