There is a sliding scale when it comes to being a sports fan. If you’re casual about it, sports are a breeze. Check in and check out when you want to. But the more serious you get, and the more you wear your heart on your sleeve as you reach "diehard" territory, it becomes intertwined with your life.
Such is the case for Philadelphia Phillies fans and their city brethren who take up the mantle of FanSided’s "Fandom of the Year" for 2025.
The last few Octobers have ended in soul-crushing defeats, as much for the fans as for the players. But Phillies fans are resilient, and their loyalties can’t be short-circuited even in the face of this disappointment.
Phillies fans are deservedly part of FanSided's 'Fandom of the Year'
Some might laugh at a fanbase that almost seems to enjoy taking it on the chin, but Phillies fans don’t take any half measures. They know when the team is bad, and they show up anyway, because that’s what fans do when their team is playing hard but isn’t in a spot to win at that time.
More importantly, Phillies fans know when the team is good and should win, and they let the team and its management know when a performance is unacceptable through their words and actions.
Phillies fans connect across generations, from Connie Mack to the Vet to Clearwater to Citizens Bank Park. Freezing April nights spent cheering them on, baking in the stands on a July afternoon, hitting the road to bring a sea of red to some other unsuspecting town where the fans just aren’t as good as our fans. Heck, even yelling from the comfort of your own couch. It’s all part of the battle rhythm of being a Phillies fan.
It’s only paid off in two World Series wins in well over a century, but despite those odds, it infiltrates your heart and mind to make you believe year after year. This may sound like some kind of disease, but it’s not.
There are so many elements that go into being a Phillies fan. It’s tradition. It’s dedication. It’s having your dad teach you how to keep score so you understand the game better. It’s a night out with your friends to share your favorite thing with each other. It’s watching your child smile when they high-five the Phanatic. It’s not just about a team playing a game with bats and balls and gloves. It’s a shared journey with all the ups and downs that make you feel passionate and alive.
It’s the best.