In an article in which LA Times writer Mike Digiovanna rips Philly fans with this lede…
However Angels fans respond the first time new closer Ryan Madson blows a save opportunity, chances are it won't rattle him.
It took only a short time before he experienced the wrath of Philadelphia's sports fans, who are notorious for booing Santa Claus, pelting then-St. Louis outfielder J.D. Drew with D-batteries and cheering when Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin lay motionless on the field after suffering a neck injury.
… we hear from former WFC Ryan Madson, now with the Angels, about his time in Philadelphia. And although Didyouknowva was undoubtedly fishing for some jabs at us rough and tumble fans to the east (by the way, 25 people were arrested and 62 needed medical attention at the 49ers game this weekend), Madson held his ground, complimenting not only Philly fans, but also the media. Really.
Check out these quoticals from Mad Dog: [LA Times]
As a Phillies rookie in 2004, Madson reeled off 21 consecutive scoreless innings in relief, lowering his earned-run average to 1.84 in July before giving up a two-run home run to Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa in a loss at home.
"They booed me off the field," Madson said. "I was like, 'Oh my goodness. It doesn't matter. It's what have you done for me lately?' That makes it tough. You can't rest on your laurels. Every day, they demand that you be at your best regardless of how many days in a row you've pitched, how you are physically."
"There couldn't have been a better environment to become the pitcher I am now," said Madson, who signed a one-year, $3.5-million deal with the Angels. "The fans might have been critical, but that's good. You don't want to go out there not caring."
Negative media can be good, he added: "All the 'Ha-ha, yeah-yeah, this team is great' stuff, that affects the players. They get comfortable. I want to feel that sense of urgency to go above and beyond expectations."
Not sure if Sarah Madson feels the same way… but nice to see that Ryan appreciates us.
We can assume that last quote can be applied to teams from later in Madson’s tenure with the Phillies, squads whose style of play contrasted with that of the 2007-2009 versions. In the article, Madson talked about how the 2008 Phillies were “hungry” and eager to prove doubters wrong. We haven’t seen that since about mid-2010.
The whole article is worth a read.
H/T to (@news_junkie_esq)
6 Responses
Sarah Madson is a cunt. That’s why I’m fine with how Madson always cheats on her
Always sounded like a good guy. I always like these guys that get the fans. Good luck to him.
And what the fuck are the fans supposed to do when you give up a HR? That’s taken out of context. For all we know the Phils could have had the lead all game until that Sosa HR. No shit they’d boo.
Gotta love all these lazy ass reporters who STILL bring up the Santa Claus incident, never mind that some of those clowns were either in kindergarten, in diapers or weren’t even BORN when that happened. I’m glad Ryan stood his ground with that bozo and gave the Philly fans some props. Hell, I wish Madson were still here!
Double AA batteries have now become d batteries, soon they’ll be car batteries. Meanwhile, if you wear a giants jersey to chavez ravine you get knifed.
Most of the Philly media is way worse than the fans are imho. The fans at least WANT to support their teams and players. The Media, not really. As a matter of fact they have bought into the plan that negative publicity is more profitable to them than positive publicity is. Plus there’s that ass hole Howard Eskin too.
Tale as old as time, true as it can be
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