Phillies so Good for Philadelphia it is Insane

We know the Phillies are good for us.

Even when it feels like they’re just trying to hurt us by losing the first game of the year.

But even in less of an abstract, dumb way do the Phillies help us.  “Help” is such a relative term; if the Phillies are our crutch to get through the miserable stank of reality then they help us, yes, but maybe we shouldn’t be chastising humanity so completely.

When the Phillies generate millions of dollars for the city of Philadelphia, that actually feels more like real help.

Apr 1, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (26) shakes hands with manager Charlie Manuel (41) after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, they’re doing more out there then being strikingly handsome and leaving runners in scoring position.  The city wage tax, so detrimental to us all, robs 19 of the 25 Phillies players of a combined $5.8 million.  The more we pay them, the more the city gets in return.  It’s science.  Or business.  Money.

As the above article states, Cliff Lee alone could fund the city treasurer, and Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, and Roy Halladay combined would equal the Art Museum.  Even Kyle Kendrick has to pay over $150,000.

And with those millions, Philadelphia is improving every day, only shutting down 23 elementary schools in the past month.  And even there, Cole Hamels fought tooth and nail to trim that number from the original, higher number.

So.  Just in case you thought the Phillies were taking all your feelings and giving nothing back.  They’re not.

…

I wish we’d won last night.