Are There Worse Sports Fans in the World? (Other than the ones from Philly?)

It was almost a perfect little day. The acclaimed Winter Classic, the annual outdoor hockey game took place on Monday. It's a fun event. Even non-hockey purists can enjoy it. There was an ice "pond" open next to the hockey rink so that lucky spoiled families could skate on real ice, on Citizens Bank Park grounds, and right next to the practicing Philadelphia Flyers.

The forecast called for possible snow flurries. In a panic, the game was delayed an extra two hours from 1 PM to 3 PM. Bob Costas was commander-in-chief of pre-game analysis, and while he proclaimed that the pre-game feelings were taught and anxious for the start of the game, he also admitted there was also more opportunity for those tailgating outside the stadium more time to eat, maybe time play some backyard style hockey("cue up a photo op", says the guy in the NBC video truck), and of course time to drink more "lagers" (Yuengling).

What I know, now, having been a Philadelphia resident for over 5 years, is that a sporting event this big always ends in some kind of fight, brawl, rage, firebombing, and other sorts of mass hysteria. I should've realized this all along...even if the Flyers had won the game (which was in the end a very close and very exciting matchup), any rumbles/fits of gang rage are to be expected.

Recently a video was released showing several Flyers fans beating up on two Rangers fans outside (or in line?) at Geno's Steaks in South Philly.

Turns out, they beat up on a NJ policeman and his son, visiting Philly to catch their Rangers in action.

Also lets not forget the 2008, when the Phillies won the championship. Thousands of fans wrecked cars, lit bonfires in streets, and even climbed the light poles over Broad St.

But before I go ahead and beat this story over the head, about how Philly fans are the worst in the world, I must first call upon some other sports towns and see if they fare any worse.

Lets start east first...

Boston

Recent fan riots

2008-Boston Celtics win NBA Championship
2004-Red Sox Beat Yankees in ALCS. After "the curse" was broken, beantown citizens rioted throughout the city. A 21-year old girl was unfortunately killed when a pepper spray projectile struck her in the eye.

Plus, there's plenty of videos showing Red Sox fans fighting Yankees fans at Fenway Park, like this one...



Not too shabby Boston...let's continue

New York

1940-Rangers fans riot after Stanley Cup Victory
1996-Andrew Golota vs. Riddick Bowe at Madison Square Garden. Andrew Golota was a heavily-touted Polish heavyweight who got his first big-money fight against an aging Riddick Bowe. Despite Golota winning the bout hands down, Golota threw four obvious low-blows, prompting a disqualification. After the bell rang, a member of Bowe's corner team struck Golota in the head with a walkie-talkie. This got both corners in a fight, causing the entire arena to erupt around the ring. The subsequent rematch was also stopped via disqualification by Gulota low blows.


Earlier this year, Kansas City Chief fans beat up on a Jets fan after making derogatory remarks about 9/11.Drunk Chiefs fans hospitalize a Jets fan This week, Rangers fans got beat up in Philly. I think the problem here is that New York Sports fans need to learn to fight!

Cleveland

1974-Cleveland Indians vs. Texas Rangers, ten-cent beer night. Wonder why they haven't tried this one again? Here's a funny little breakdown of how this game went...

Pregame:Texas manager Billy Martin delivered his line-up to the umpire and was booed. In reply, he tipped his cap and blew kisses to the crowd.
Inning 1: Several smoke bombs went off in the stands.
Inning 2: A large woman jumped down from the fans into the Indians' on-deck circle, lifted her shirt, and tried to kiss the umpire, Nestor Chylak.
Inning 4: A Ranger outfielder hit his second home run of the game, but as he circled the bases, a naked man from the stands ran onto the field and slid into second base.
Inning 5: Father and son jumped into the infield and mooned the crowd.
Inning 6: Fireworks were shooting toward the Texas dugout. Cleveland fans were hurling anything and everything down onto the field: beer cups, golf balls, rocks, batteries, etc.
Inning 7: Rangers pitchers retreated from the bullpen and stayed in the dugout.
Innings 7 and 8: Fans regularly jumped down into right field where Ranger player and American League MVP Jeff Burroughs was stationed. They wanted to say hello to the MVP and shake his hand. Security people escorted these fans off the field, but there weren't really enough security forces to restrain the numbers of people jumping onto the field.
Inning 9: Cleveland was down 5-3. Despite all the projectiles and the occasional fan rushing the field, Cleveland managed to score two runs and tie the game. More fans ran onto the field in celebration. Then someone tried to steal Burroughs' glove for a souvenir. Reports vary about whether the fan was able to get the glove away from Burroughs or not. The fan punched Burroughs; Burroughs punched back.
In reply, nearby drunk and angry fans jumped onto the field, swarming around Burroughs. Some still in the stands wrenched their chairs out of their bearings and threw them onto the field, aiming for Burroughs.
Texas Rangers manager Billy Martin (known to show his temper now and then) grabbed a bat and said to his team, "Let's get 'em, boys," on his way out of the clubhouse. When Martin and his team rushed the field, thousands of fans streamed out of the stands.
Courtesy of http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8480734/8702666

Chicago

Three straight championships, three consecutive riots...

1991, 1992, and 1993 Chicago Bulls win NBA title. Over these three NBA seasons, Chicago won the title and then immediately became home to a vicious riot. Each year hundreds of arrests and injuries were reported, as well as a handful of deaths.

Detroit

1924-Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees. An early riot here. Tensions between the teams were high to begin with and it all came to the forefront when Yankees player Bob Meusel was hit by a pitch in the 9th inning. Meusel charged the mound and the benches cleared, and shortly after fans got into it as well as fight spilled out onto the field.
1984-Tigers beat San Diego Padres in World Series. Possibly the first "victory riot" in the states.
1990-Detroit Pistons defeat the Portland Trailblazers for NBA Title. This riot in Detroit is particularly scary. Hundreds of people were injured as riots escalated past the point of rubber bullets and tear gas. Seven people were killed over the course of the night from stab and gunshot wounds and over 140 arrests were made.
2004-Detroit Pistons vs. Indianapolis Pacers. With a minute left in the game, a fight broke out between the two teams. Noted nutjob Ron Artest got hit in the head with a diet coke while cooling down on the bench. Artest then leapt into the crowd and began to attack the wrong guy. The arena riot resulted in 5 player arrests as well as 5 fan arrests. Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season and he racked up nearly $5 million in fines.




Looks like Detroit is going to take the early lead...check out part 2 to see how the West Coast and Canada fares.