As a devout Philadelphia fan, I am aware of our reputation around the country. We are proud to be rabble rousers.

When you look at the combined records of the various first-rung professional teams -- Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Phillies -- there is not much on which to hang one's hat. Like most people I respect teams that manage winning records, or win a round or two in the play-offs, but somehow I detect a level of regular under-performance -- at least as far the fans' expectations are concerned.

And last weekend, as if to remind us, the Phillies achieved the ultimate ignominy. In losing two of their three games with the St. Louis Cardinals, they managed to rack up the WORST record in American sports history on Sunday by losing their 10,000th game. And, in typical stoic fashion, it was in front of a sell-out crowd. In their 125-year history, the Phillies have eked out just one World Series in 1980. It's hard to explain how the franchise has managed to persist!

'In their 125-year history, the Phillies have eked out just one World Series in 1980. It's hard to explain how the franchise has managed to persist!'


In basketball, the Philadelphia 76ers, since their founding in 1963, have won two NBA championships (1966 and 1984) and have lost four times in the finals. Their overall record is .528. 

It's a similar story in football. The Philadelphia Eagles, since 1933, have achieved a meagre 488-533-25 overall record (47%), winning three Championships/Superbowls, but none since 1960. They have also lost three finals.

The Philadelphia Flyers -- aka the Broadstreet Bullies in the minds of some more optimistic fans -- have somehow amassed a positive 1535-1062-457 record since their founding in 1967, a surprising fact since they have only won two championships, the last of which was more than 30 years ago. They have lost in the finals five times since then. Last season, in a new nadir, the Flyers managed the franchise's worst-ever season and compiled the league's worst record.

The final tally for the four Philadelphia teams is: won 12,921, lost 13,445, tied 482. Championship finals: won 8, lost 16.

And yet, the Philadelphia fan continues to buy the tickets and root raucously. Every year, with new draft picks, acquisitions and money, hope springs eternal. Sometimes it feels more like hope springs inphernal as Philadelphia's phailing record is quite the load to carry. I, for one, continue to be a diehard Flyers fan above all (even though I live in Paris).  But my sympathy is always there for all four franchises.

Despite the "evening out" experience that professional sports in North America is supposed to provide, Philadelphia doesn't seem to get its fair share of wins. What gives!