PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — No matter what, Rhoda Cohen of Horsham is going to support her Phillies. Despite all the losses and disappointments this season, she says she isn't going to change her team. After 77 years … why stop now?
Rhoda and her daughter Marian Cohen took some time with KYW Newsradio to talk about a lifelong love affair with the Philadelphia Phillies.
"The Phillies are central to the city," said Rhoda, decked out in a J.T. Realmuto T-shirt, sitting next to an old-fashioned Phanatic doll, and with a plush Phillies monkey in her lap.
"If you're a Philly fan — period — you have to be supportive of the Phillies, who carry the name of the city across their chest all the time."
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Since 1945, the Phillies have made the postseason 13 times. That's it.
But that doesn’t matter to Rhoda. After 30 minutes with her, her undying pride was crystal clear.
"I always felt that they were trying," she said. "And I never really held it against them when they lost, because we don't live in a perfect world — and that's part of the game."
That’s what makes Rhoda Cohen, 89, an outstanding KYW Newsradio Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week.
A love for the Phillies that's all her own, to pass on to the next generation
Rhoda grew up in West Philadelphia in what she describes as a frugal family, which she says kept her from getting involved in organized sports. However, after she made some money and became independent, she started making the Phils a part of her life.
“It gave me something to grab a hold of that could be mine. And I think I passed it on to my children,” Rhoda said, as Marian indicated her agreement. “And that has made me very happy.”
She says the Phillies have brought a lot of positivity into her life. Sharing a common interest with so many other Philadelphia fans made her feel good, and baseball has helped her family make some wonderful memories.
Rhoda and her late husband raised their kids in Cheltenham. Marian said it was very important for them to listen to Phillies games at dinner in the ’70s, with legendary Phils announcers Harry Kalas and Whitey Ashburn.
"We weren't allowed to speak at dinner, sometimes, because the Phillies were playing during dinner, and that was a priority," Marian said. "And usually, dinnertime was a time of communication and sitting together and talking, but not when the Phillies were on.”
Rhoda laughed at the memory. "You had to have your priorities straight! And when the Phillies were playing, that was a No.1 priority."
These days, Rhoda doesn't always get to watch the games. It depends on how late they are. Marian says Rhoda and fellow community members at the Horsham Center for Jewish Life will sometimes watch games together and — it doesn’t matter that they’re not at Citizens Bank Park — they’ll still do the wave.
The joy the Phillies bring to her mother — "It just brings a big smile to my face," Marian said.
And if Rhoda misses a game, she says, she’ll open the next day’s Inquirer "and try to relive the game in that manner."
Dreams of adding another championship memory
Based on their payroll, it’s apparent the Phils aspire to put a championship winner on the field. Whether those aspirations result in success is another matter. They clearly have some way to go.
Nonetheless, two of the memories Rhoda has cherished most are of course the 1980 and 2008 World Championships.
"That was wonderful," said Rhoda. “And the parade and all of that excitement. I just hope that I live long enough to see it again. I wouldn't let the team down."
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Rhoda is a particular fan of 25-year-old third baseman Alec Bohm. She says she thinks he has matured a lot and has great potential.
"I just hope that I live long enough to see how far he goes."
Until then, Rhoda will remain a sharp and devoted fan. She is proud of the Phillies legacy she has built within her family, and she does not plan on stopping.
"It's something that I've embraced, that I consider my own," she said. "It wasn't given to me by my family. I've given it to them, and that makes me feel good."