Philly Fan Specter Gets ‘Sports Illustrated’ Spotlight

Things may be looking down for Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter’s Republican party as Election Day approaches but they’re sure looking up for his favorite Philadelphia sports teams.

In a profile, Sports Illustrated ran through Specter’s busy sporting weekend.

ARLEN SPECTER’S FOUR MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS, Sunday, October 26, 2008:

1) Game 3 of the World Series, midnight to 1:41 a.m.

2) Eagles versus Atlanta Falcons, 1 to 4:15 p.m.

3) Squash match versus Evan Kelly at the Sporting Club, downtown Philadelphia, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

4) Game 4 of the World Series, first pitch 8:29 p.m.

That itinerary would make Specter the envy of any Philly sports fan: the five-term senator got to see the Phillies win two World Series games and an Eagles victory. No word on the outcome of his squash match.

Specter, once again in treatment for cancer, stood out in the crowd of Eagles and Phillies fans, SI.com says, describing him as a “svelte, sprightly elderly man in a maroon sweater and a green cap.”

Sounding every bit the Philadelphian, despite his Kansas upbringing, and every bit the member of a party on the rocks, Specter compared politics and sports.

“It’s about the same thing,” he said, the campaigns and the sporting events. Election night in a close one is about like Game 3 was in the ninth, with the game tied at 4. “There’s not really anything you can do but watch and wait,” he said.

–Jeffrey Young