Phillies not playing on July 4th is a disgrace
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
For the first time since 1916, the Phillies have a scheduled day off on the Fourth of July. The Phils were on the schedule that day in 1981, but no one played MLB games because of a strike. The 2020 COVID-shortened season also scratched Fourth of July games that year. According to Phillies radio broadcaster Scott Franzke, the Phillies did not have scheduled games on Independence Day in 1886, 1897, 1909, 1915, and 1916.
Independence Day in Philadelphia means the celebration of America’s birthday in its birthplace, parades, cookouts, and fireworks on the Parkway and in many other places. One of those usually is watching the Phillies either at Citizens Bank Park or on television. But that can not be done this year. And it is a disgrace.
On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was written by founding father Thomas Jefferson, along with Philadelphia native Benjamin Franklin, and others. It was written in Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the United States of America officially earned its freedom from Great Britain.
Independence was born in Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell was rung in Philadelphia. That is why Philly has been proclaimed the birthplace of the greatest country on Earth, the United States of America. And America’s pastime, baseball, is not being played in its birthplace on its birthday.
This is ridiculous.
“It’s going to be weird not playing America’s game on America’s holiday, but we’ll enjoy it nonetheless,” Rhys Hoskins told SportsCenter after the Phillies’ 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday night.
“I think we’re going to try to get together and spend it as a team.”
Not playing America’s game on America’s holiday as the birthplace of America. Weird. Strange. Questionable.
Another odd thing is the New York Yankees don’t play either, and some say they are America’s favorite baseball team. They’re the most well-known team in the world, and they’re not playing America’s game on America’s holiday.
It’s an odd topic that truly doesn’t mean much, but it’s still not a good look for Major League Baseball.
Beautiful editorial writing by BRG. This deserves a wider audience , with
MLB being made fully aware of this disservice to baseball fans.