| Updated 11/1/2009 5:57 PM ET |
The city's two biggest teams — the Phillies and Eagles — have the opportunity Sunday to topple rivals from New York in a matter of about 10 hours.
The Eagles play the New York Giants at 1 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field. Across the parking lot at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies will face the New York Yankees at 8:20 p.m. in Game 4 of the World Series.
"I can't wait. You kidding me?" Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon says. "Giants-Eagles. Those guys can hit. They want to hurt each other. I'm going to lay in bed, turn on the TV and enjoy their game before we play ours."
The Eagles need Sunday's game simply to move into first place in the NFC East at the halfway point of the season.
"It's bigger for us than the Eagles," shortstop Jimmy Rollins says. "There's always been an identity crisis with us. We've always been in New York's shadow. We need to beat New York to show we arrived.
"The Eagles don't need New York. They already arrived."
The difference, of course, is that the Phillies are the defending World Series champions. They're the ones who broke Philadelphia's 25-year championship jinx, dating to the 76ers' 1983 NBA title.
It wasn't until the Phillies won the World Series, Rollins says, that they were even given respect in their city.
"People know the rappers in the city," Rollins says. "They know the Eagles. They know the 76ers. But they're just starting to know us."
Still, despite the acrimony between the franchises, there is mutual respect. The Eagles insist they will be rooting for the Phillies on Sunday, just as the Phillies hope the Eagles can one day have their own parade on Broad Street.
"I know our players are close with the Phillies players, and I know our guys are pulling for them," Eagles coach Andy Reid says. "Likewise, I'm pulling for Charlie (Manuel, Phillies manager)."
Contributing: Gary Mihoces
| Posted 10/29/2009 10:45 PM ET | |
| Updated 11/1/2009 5:57 PM ET | |
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By Robert Hanashiro, Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY |
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