“On April 25, 1978—the day the ear-shaped, Astroturf-skinned, megaphone-nosed Muppet reject made his first appearance—Philadelphia lost its last ounce of respectability,” Yankee fans said yesterday.”

The New York Post, on the Phillies’ mascot, the “Phanatic.”

“Mr. Met is even better than that—and Mr. Met is retarded.”

—Patrick O’Neill, 22, of the Bronx

“Their fans are second-rate and so is their city.

—NY Post headline

Here come the Frillies.

—Another Post headline.

“Philly fans are a bunch of whiners and should learn how to dress.

A Yankee fan.