PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia sports hasn’t won many championships in its long history. But Brendan Costello, 72, of Schwenksville, has either listened to or watched most of the modern-day titles for his favorite teams.
“It makes me feel great that I’m here and I can talk about it,” Costello said.
The Philadelphia Athletics won the World Series in 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929 and 1930. The Philadelphia Warriors won the title in 1947 and 1956. Neither team has been in Philadelphia for generations, with both teams currently in Northern California. The Eagles won the NFL Championship in 1948 and 1949 – before Costello was born.
After 1956, the next team to go all the way was the Eagles in 1960, which Costello remembers listening to while growing up in Philadelphia’s Logan neighborhood. He then recalls watching the 1967 Sixers beat the then-San Francisco Warriors for the title and the Broad Street Bullies-era Flyers win a pair of Stanley Cups in the mid-70s.
“So I’ve been watching Philadelphia sports and listening to it ever since I was in elementary school,” Costello said.
And of course, his fandom has also included the Phillies finally winning the World Series in 1980, doing so a second time in 2008 and the Eagles finally winning the Super Bowl in the 2017-18 season.
“Kind of came full circle,” said Costello’s stepson Jim Taglioli of the Eagles finally winning the Lombardi Trophy.
Costello has been able to share his Philadelphia sports memories and experiences with Taglioli and other family members over the years, like when certain events happened, where he was and what he was doing.
“...He’s been in my life since I was a kid — it’s all he’s talked about,” Taglioli said.
And when one of these teams does well, it brings their family closer together. He tells his grandkids how fortunate they are for all the competitive teams Philadelphia sports has right now.
“Regardless of whether we win or lose, I will come back for me,” Costello said.
And the reason for that?
“Because I love Philadelphia. It’s a great sports town and I don’t think there’s none better.”
To hear more about Costello’s fandom, check out the latest edition of KYW Newsradio’s Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week: