Philadelphia fans are (sometimes) a little overzealous and rude. We all know this. They've thrown up on Santa Claus while he was trying to help Michael Irvin off the field after he was temporarily paralyzed by a tossed Duracell. But it should be known by now, especially by the players who still play there and their significant others, that it's unwise to throw a rock at hornet's nest from an unsafe distance.
Sarah Madson, wife of reliever Ryan Madson, was at a charity event for MANNA recently and was blithely asked what it's like to live in Philadelphia:
"I hate the fans. It is bad enough that they bother us during the season, but they will not leave us alone in December when we go out to eat. We stayed here during the off season last year, but we will be going to California this year. There must be something particularly bad about Phillies fans because all the players leave in the off season."
Phillies' Pitcher Madson's Wife Calls Fowl [Naked Philadelphian]
Yeah...she's dead.
UPDATE: So the author of the original story, Laura Goldman, could be a bit of a fabulist. The Philadelphia Fact-Checking Society (pretty much every sports/gossip reporter in Philly) is investigating the story's accuracy. Goldman, in her own defense, says that the quotes are 100% legit and that she identified herself as a reporter to Sarah Madson. She did not record the conversation. We'll have updates to tell you how this turns out. For now, though, Philadelphians should sheath their swords. Sarah Madson could be getting a raw deal here.
SECOND UPDATE: The Mighty Dan Gross got a quote from a Madson family rep. They didn't deny Sarah's quote but they did issue a blanket "We love Philly fans" correction instead. [Daily News]
THIRD UPDATE: NBC scored a longer, more detailed quote from the Phillies about Goldman's story: "Sarah did not consent to an interview, but rather was approached by Ms. Goldman who did not identify herself as a reporter. She began to ask many personal questions about the life of a wife of a professional baseball player. The comments reported by Ms. Goldman were taken completely out of context, and as a result, Sarah is extremely upset and feels violated by the situation."
PHOTO: PhillyChitChat
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