Philly still thrives even through disrespect

Talk to people from other parts of the country and they say Philadelphians have a chip on their shoulder. They say Philly people have an “edge” to their personality.

Some even go as far as to say Philadelphians have an inferiority complex.

They might be correct. But we’ve earned it.

The first instinct might be to pinpoint the origins of this typically Philly “edge” to the era of W.C. Fields. The actor/comedian was born in Darby, on the outskirts of the city. But he never seemed to espouse any love for his native surroundings.

Though only folklore, he was said to have his tombstone inscribed: “Better here than in Philadelphia.”

Urban legend also attributes another insult to him: “I spent a year in Philadelphia once. I think it was a Sunday.”

And, another: “I went to Philadelphia last night, but it was closed.”

True or not … the damage was done. The national perception of Philadelphia is not a glowing one.

But don’t blame it all on W.C. Fields.

The greatest snub of Philadelphia goes back to the beginning of this country. Shortly after Philadelphia actually gave birth to the nation … and nursed it through its formative years … the seat of government was ripped away and eventually transported to Washington, D.C.

The powerful Virginia contingent, led by Thomas Jefferson, was the first to disrespect Philly. Maybe they never developed a taste for scrapple. Or maybe they foresaw the coming of the ill-designed Schuylkill Expressway.

In any case, a long history of playing second-fiddle – or worse – to New York, to the north, and Washington, to the south, has been the plight of our fair city.

Unfortunately, through the years, we have given the rest of the country ample ammunition for their weapons of ridicule.

There have been relatively harmless ones – such as Philadelphia Eagle fans booing Santa Claus and pelting him with snowballs. It is ancient history – December of 1968 – but the story gets retold … year after year.

And there are more serious incidents – such as Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode dropping a bomb on his own city and setting an entire block of homes ablaze on Osage Avenue in 1985.

Philly has been the butt of jokes for years.

But when it begins to affect the sports teams – in this sports crazy town – that’s when it really hurts.

This summer has seen Philadelphia sports franchises shunned by some of the stars of each sport.

Let’s face it, the big stars are not attracted to Philly. Instead they flock to the bright lights of Los Angeles … or New York … in much the same way as a moth is attracted to a flame.

Whether through free agency, or trades, the big names are going elsewhere.

In basketball – LeBron James to the Lakers, Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, Paul George staying in San Antonio.

In baseball, the Yankees got superstar Giancarlo Stanton from Miami in the offseason. The Milwaukee Brewers acquired Christian Yelich. And now shortstop Manny Machado has gone from the Baltimore Orioles to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 76ers and Phillies were left waiting at the doorstep. The Sixers suffered the further indignity of making a deal to acquire European star Nemanja Bjelica, only to have the forward say he reconsidered and was going back to Europe. Then … as an ultimate insult, he began working on a deal with the Sacramento Kings.