Does the City Bleed Green or Red?

Now that the NFL free agent frenzy has quieted down a little and the 'Dream Team' that is the Philadelphia Eagles has now more or less taken shape. Now that the Phillies are deep into their season on route to October led by the Fab 4, Halladay, Hamels, Cole & Roy Oswalt

The question now is, who runs the city? Does Philadelphia bleed green or red. Years ago this debate would be futile, but with the emergence of the Phillies as a sporting powerhouse and their recent success and aggressive nature in acquiring top free agents, the Phillies have become a viable candidate to dethrone the Eagles as the top team in the city. In order to put this debate to bed, lets break the determining factors down into categories. Once we ascertain who leads each category we may have a clearer image as to where the city stands.

Eagles or Phillies

History.

Phillies: Currently the oldest 'one name' 'one city' franchise in sports the team was created in 1883. It took the city just short of 100 years, (97 years to be exact) to win their first championship in 1980. Then another 28 years to win their next one in 2008. Since then, the Phillies have been to another World Series and a National League championship game. Both were loosing efforts. New York prevented Philadelphia from bringing home a World Series in 2009 and eventual World Series winners San Francisco won the Pennant over Philadelphia in 2010. For much of their history the Phillies have been far from a winning team, having one winning season between 1918 to 1948, only 3 years separated from their first World Series birth in 1915. In 2001 the Phillies had their first winning season in 8 years but from 2003 onwards the Phillies have not dipped below .500. With  such a strong heritage Phillies are a cornerstone in Philadelphia's history.

Eagles: Established in 1933, the Eagles have also been an integral part of Philadelphia's rich history. Since its inception the team has made 2 super-bowl appearances, they were both loosing efforts. The first a loss to the Oakland Raiders in 1980 and the second a loss to the New England Patriots in 2005. However, before there was a super-bowl the Eagles managed to win 3 NFL Championships. The first two consecutively over the periods of 1948 and 1949, making the Eagles the only team to win back to back championships by way of a shut out. The Eagles one their third championship in 1960. During the 1960 season the Eagles also became the only team to beat Vince Lomabardi's Packers in a playoff game by beating them 17-13. Similarly to the Phillies the Eagles early days were challenging, during the first decade the Eagles suffered repeated losing seasons. The team was forced to merge with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1943 as they were unable to fill their rosters due to shortages of man power due to the second world war.

Winner: Phillies


Stadiums.

Phillies: Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004. It is one of the Landmarks of South Philadelphia's real estate landscape this advanced sports complex seats over 43 000 people. The complex also includes standing area only spaces with great views. All the seating and standing areas are maximized as the ball park sells out just about every game all season long. The stadium was originally slated to be in downtown Philadelphia, initially at Broad and Spring Garden and then 13th and Vine, but the after plenty of protesting by the Chinatown community the development settled in South Philadelphia. The ballpark has some unique architectural and historical features. A tribute to the Liberty bell can also be found in the stadium with the bell chiming at every Phillie home run.

Eagles: Lincoln Financial Field opened in August 2003 with the capacity to seat 68,532 (69,144 with Standing Room Only tickets) ,The stadium has 172 Luxury Suites They range in capacity from 12 to 40 people and cost $75,000 to $300,000 per year or $20,000 for a single game rental. The stadium is also extremely technologically advanced. Similarly to Citizens Bank Park the Stadium is a great upgrade to from the Veterans that house the both Eagles and the Phillies in years passed.

Lincoln Financial Field.

Winner: Draw


Bigger Stars.

Phillies: Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard. Though i mentioned Ryan Howard, the star power of the this Philadelphia team is the ball pen. The pitchers are the life source behind the team and its huge expectations. Though there are some great hitters, with  a great following the star power is in the pitching. Cliff Lee is arguablly the most popular athelete not only on the Phillies but maybe in the entire city. He first rose to prominance when pithing against the New York Yankees in the 2009 World Series. Disappointingly the Phillies let him go when they decided to chase after Roy Halladay's signature the following year. However an opportunity arose to sign him during the 2011 offseason. By turning down New York and selecting Philadelphia Cliff Lee endeared himself to Phillie fans for life. His incredible talent omplimentend this ofcourse. It would be hard to find a crack on the foundation that is Cliff in through the eyes of the Phillie fan base.

Eagles: Mike Vick, Nnamdi Asomugha, Desean Jakson. The Eagles are truly a Philadelphia's Dream Team. Through the frenzy of the post lockout free agent period the Eagles seem undoubtedly the most purposeful team. Signing star after star, including Nnamdi Asomugha who too rejected the bright lights of New York for the gritty streets of Philadelphia. However the Biggest star on this team seems to be Michael Vick. Two years ago you would be considered laughable if you predicted Vick would have such a dramatic turnaround in his career. From convicted felon, animal abuser to beloved quarterback to one of the most supported sports franchises in America. Though Mike Vick still has blemishes on his name he has done well to rehabilitate himself but, has he done enough to considered the top athlete in Philadelphia.

Winner: Phillies


Fan Base.

Phillie

Phillies: Walk down the streets of Philadelphia, browse Philadelphia's real estate landscapes inspect fridge and automobile magnets and you're bound to find Phillies paraphernalia. The recent success of Philadelphia combined with the great marketing and aggressive nature of the team have led to rapid growth of the Phillies fan base. Casual fans are starting to become more involved and supportive of the team. Everybody loves a winner and the Phillies have shown that's what their in the business of doing what ever it takes to close the deal.

Eagles: On the other hand the Eagles have a cult like following. The eagle fan base arguably put Philadelphia on the map nationally as a city fanatical about its sports. Take for example the incident where the fans at the historic Veterans stadium threw snowballs at Santa Clause or the harsh criticism of great players when they under perform such as Donovan McNabb. Eagles fans are the poster child of the authentic Philadelphian sports fan.I remember watching a news clip of a Philadelphia fan being interviewed during the 2008 World Series run. When asked what the championship would mean to him the fan said the only thing better then the Phillies winning the World Series would be, if it were the Eagles playing and winning Superbowl. That was very telling, this opinion seemed to reinstate throughout the city. Whereas the city was proud of the Phillies if the city was confronted with having to make a decision of which team they would rather success, the majority would select the Eagles.

Winner: Eagles.

Though the Phillies took two categories to Philadelphias one, the one that Philadelphia one is probably the most important, the fan base. When the Eagles struggled through loosing seasons you still couldn't get a seat in the stadium. With the success of the Phillies you could argue hunger for an Eagles championship is more, The Philadelphia fan base has seen the Phillies win now lets see the Eagles do it. At the end of the day lets call a spade a spade. This is a football city, Philadelphia bleeds green.

Eagles Logo.

With the dream teams assembled down in south philly this might just be the year that both teams celebrate in unison. Optimism flows throughout the city on green and red waves. Which stream will still be flowing when all is said and done. I say, why not both?

Kings of Philadelphia: Eagles.