The Taney Dragons have given given Philadelphia something to cheer about this summer.
And we’re referring not just to the team’s historic trip to the Little League World Series this year, but also to the example the team set of how people of different races, sexes, backgrounds and neighborhoods can pull together as one.
The Dragons consist of five Black, four interracial and three White players. Some of the players hail from Taney Park’s nearby Center City and South Philadelphia neighborhoods, while several attend school in places like Chestnut Hill Academy.
Taney’s roster this year included a girl—pitching phenom Mo’ne Davis, who captivated the sports world with her long braids, hazel-colored eyes, 70 mph fastballs and a Sports Illustrated cover.
These kids know despite who they are or where they are from, they are one team, carrying the Taney Dragons banner.
And it certainly didn’t hurt that the world saw them in their display of togetherness.
Wednesday’s losing game against Las Vegas, as disappointing as it was, set television viewing records for a Little League World Series. According to ESPN, the game earned the highest preliminary rating for the series ever on the sports network, with a rating that was up 143 percent from the corresponding game last year.
Meanwhile attendance at the team’s Aug. 17 game in Williamsport drew a crowd of more than 32,000 people, topped by attendance at Wednesday night’s game, which drew more than 34,000 attendees. Most were from Pennsylvania, and many of those were from Philadelphia, as they packed the small roads of Williamsport or secured a seat on a chartered bus to sit on the park’s grassy banks to watch our kids play.
Despite a heartbreaking 6-5 loss Thursday to Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West, their determination, commitment and show of unity make them first, for us. Because of them, we are all winners.
(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
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