The Guide to "My Country - Philadelphia" by Sabrina's Phillies News!
Like the Phillies said, “We love our country, Philadelphia! Ahead of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, we thought we’d count down our 26 reasons why…”, and since there’s only one sentence on social media, I’m here to “decode” Philly for you!
#26 - We have Mummers, and you don’t even know what that means:
It means people who are part of a club dress up with sequins, feathers, banjos, and the nation’s oldest New Year's Day Parade. Don't ask questions, just enjoy.
#25 - Our food scene is far more expansive than one sandwich:
Our cheesesteak scene is all over the place. Everyone has an opinion, but there are also other Philly specialties: roast pork, tomato pie, water ice, soft pretzels, hoagies (no subs or heroes here!).
#24 - Sometimes, therapy comes in the form of sports talk radio:
WIP 94.1 is cheaper than a therapist, and everyone has an opinion. Including the kids who listen in the car when their dad drives them anywhere… (totally not speaking from real experience or anything, Dad)
#23 - History is just part of the neighborhood:
You'll casually walk past buildings older than the country on your way to grab coffee. If you’re in Old City (where most of the main historic attractions are), be prepared to see Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross on their daily walk!
#22 - Sports memorabilia counts as interior (and exterior) design:
Basements, garages, offices... and yes, entire front porches covered in team flags. Or, if you’re like my family, the in-home gym converted into the space with hats, jerseys, and every single promotional giveaway from the Phillies since 2001.
#21 - We don’t mess with Billy Penn:
Every builder knows the "curse." If you build a structure taller than the height of his hat (he stands on top of City Hall), your championship drought begins. This happened with the One Liberty Place building in March of 1987, and was broken in 2008 when the Phillies won the World Series!
#20 - John Kruk exists. Enough said.
He is a national treasure. He played first base for the Phillies. He is now on the broadcast team. I’ll leave you with these highlights:
#19 - What the sign says. (No one likes us. We don’t care)
It's not just a chant. It's a personality trait.
#18 - Everyone is one news interview away from becoming a local legend
If you’re interviewed, prepare for it to become a meme 20 years later and to continue recirculating.
#17 - We treat Rocky like a founding father
The statue gets more visitors than some actual historical landmarks.
#16 - Some things unite the city, like how we feel about the team from Queens
Orange and blue? Hard pass. We have a very bad opinion of our “friends” up north (and most of the NL East too). Your baseball-headed mascots, no thanks.
#15 - When the poles get greased, you know it’s serious
Philadelphians are a different breed. We’re climbing up poles to celebrate; therefore, if the poles are greased, a win is imminent!
#14 - We boo because we care. Silence is the real insult.
If we're booing you, we still believe you can be better. If we’re silent, it’s the silent treatment, and you suck. Although you might get a bunch of people who decide to give you a standing ovation and turn your season around. It kinda worked for Trea Turner
#13 - Brotherly love…. With boundaries
Enough said!
#12 - Only Philadelphians are allowed to complain about Philadelphia
We can roast the city all day, but if an outsider joins in, it's a problem. We’re allowed to make comments; we live here. Don’t join in.
#11 - “Go Birds” or “Go Phils” is a greeting, a sign-off, a condolence, and punctuation
It works in almost every conversation. Sometimes it's the entire conversation. Holding the door at Wawa = “go birds”; it’s just how we roll.
#10 - We don’t choose our teams. They’re assigned at birth.
You inherit your fandom before you can spell "Philadelphia". I stand by this. I inherited my dad’s love of Philly sports from a young age!!
My sister and I! Pretending to bat in the on deck circle! My dad & I ! My great grandfather and I! Little Sabrina with the World Series trophies! On the Phanatic's ATV!
#9 - The emotional whiplash between “season’s over” and “we’re winning it all”
Sometimes within the same inning. Definitely within the same week…. This is normal. Our cardiologists can’t keep up with our changing heart rates.
#8 - We rearrange our weekend plans around game time
Weddings, birthdays, errands... they'll wait until after the game.
#7 - The sports complex is just one big emotional support parking lot
Tailgates, postgame therapy sessions, and lifelong friendships all happen there.
#6 - Team gear is appropriate attire for every occasion
Work, weddings, church, holidays... there's always room for a jersey.
#5 - Our backyard includes the shore, the mountains, and the northeast corridor
You'll find Eagles flags, Phillies hats, and "Go Birds" from the Shore to the Poconos and everywhere in between. One Phillies hat or Eagles shirt is all it takes to spark a conversation anywhere you go.
#4 - Our walls are works of art
From larger-than-life murals to neighborhood street art, the city is one giant outdoor gallery.
#3 - Walking is part of the culture
The best way to experience Philly is one block, one side street, and one corner deli at a time. You will at some point wind up soaking wet walking from the stadium to the subway, but that’s a rite of passage.
#2 - Every neighborhood is individually unique, but together they make Philly Philly
South Philly, Fishtown, Manayunk, Germantown, Chestnut Hill, Fairmount... each has its own personality, and together they're unmistakably Philadelphia…. And we love it!
#1 - It’s not perfect, but it’s ours
AND WE LOVE IT!
If you happen to be in town for All Star Week, enjoy all that the city has to offer!!
As always, GO PHILS!
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