Philadelphia Sports Fans: Are You Feeling Some Deja Vu?
Philadelphia sports fans may be taking a moment to scratch their heads these past few days. Walking around aimlessly, muttering, “This feels familiar…” to themselves as they go about their days. Watching these high-stakes games, it may feel as if there’s something they’re missing.
If that’s you, don’t fret. Well, fret a little bit. What you’re feeling, my friend is a serious case of Deja vu. Philly sports Deja vu.
What Do You Mean Philadelphia Sports Deja Vu?
Here’s the deal. If you scroll back in your camera roll or social media feed to roughly a year ago, you’ll see some familiar sights. Exactly 52 weeks ago, the Philadelphia Eagles moved to 5-0. On Sunday, October 8, 2023, they did the same after a game in LA.
On October 9, 2023, The Philadelphia Phillies fell to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, leaving their NLDS series 1-1. You may not remember entirely, but on October 12, 2022, The Philadelphia Phillies fell to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, leaving their NLDS series 1-1. Yes. A year ago, the series with The Braves for the NLDS started the exact same way it did this year. With The Phillies taking game 1 in Atlanta, falling game 2, and returning home hoping to get back on track.
And here’s the thing. They did get back on track. They won the next two games, then took the NLCS title. Then went on to the World Series. On to LOSE the World Series.
And what about The Eagles? They powered on, undefeated for 8 games, ending the season 14-3. They went on to the Super Bowl. On to LOSE the Super Bowl.
This all feels too heartbreakingly familiar. And what makes it worse? We know how it ends, or- well, how it ended. Our teams lost it in the big one(s).
A Hopeful Outlook…
Are we doomed to repeat history? Is this the “Groundhog Day” loop we will be forced to live in forever? Is this our punishment for our reputation? Constant hope, constant let-downs.
I say no. Here’s the thing. We can draw comparisons all we’d like. Yes, it’s quite eerie how to-the-letter similar our situation a year ago was to this year’s situation. Flyers and Sixers new-season-buzz. Union in the playoffs. Eagles undefeated. Phillies are onto NLDS game 3 at home.
These are different teams, though. We, for one, did not have Trea Turner last year. We did not have D’Andre Swift last year. Heck, the Union has made it to the playoffs six straight seasons in a row. If you think too hard, it feels TOO similar. But if you take a step back, you realize that 2023 is a different year than 2022.
For one, The Braves shut the Phillies out in game 2 last year. We put up way more of a fight in games 1 and 2 of the 2023 NLDS than we did in the 2022 NLDS. We actually look like a formidable opponent, not a team of magic and luck.
You cannot predict the future. Although things look super same-y, things, for sure, are different. We know the outcome of last year, but we cannot let it affect our outlook on how this year will go.
I wish I could look into a crystal ball and see Bryce Harper holding The Commissioners Trophy high for all of Philadelphia to see, then, Jalen Hurts hoisting the Lombardi Trophy up on a double-decker bus headed down Broad Street. But for now, we must live in the present and enjoy the success of our teams. Hope for the best, and try to not prepare too heavily for the worst.
More Sports:
2008 World Series Champions Philadelphia Phillies: Where Are They Now
Pedro Feliz
Before he retired, he played for the now-defunct Camden Riversharks in 2011. It’s sad the team folded, it was always a good time. Pedro and his wife Niurka Mateo were married in December 2002. They have 3 daughters and one son.
Pedro Feliz
Before he retired, he played for the now-defunct Camden Riversharks in 2011. It’s sad the team folded, it was always a good time. Pedro and his wife Niurka Mateo were married in December 2002. They have 3 daughters and one son.
