After Stinging Betrayal, 76ers Legend’s Increasing Popularity Unveils Deafening Reaction Despite Phillies’ Playoffs Heartbreak

No matter where his NBA career took him and where he set his roots, Charles Barkley has one favorite baseball team. Between the two cities he’s repped during his playing days, his baseball fanaticism leans towards one. He not only made a public declaration of it, he’s also played cheerleader. Sir Charles is definitely not afraid to embarrass himself as long as his team is hyped for the win.

Not long before that, Barkley had embarrassed himself again trying to throw the first pitch. It appears he’d better stick to basketball when it comes to this city.

Charles Barkley hypes his faves

There’s one team in Philadelphia that has all of Charles Barkley’s love. And it’s not the Philadelphia 76ers, where he started his NBA career. The Round Mound of Rebound is a savant of every sport and he has picks in them. When it comes to America’s favorite pastime, his love goes to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies were playing against the Arizona Diamondbacks this week and you’d think Barkley’s loyalties would be split. After all Chuck also enjoyed the prime of his career with the Phoenix Suns, he is a current resident of Scottsdale, and markets the tourism draw of Arizona. However, that’s not the case.

Those on the Phillies side of the MLB broadcast witnessed Barkley’s unique cheerleading style during the game. Some even shared it on X. “Phillies using a Charles Barkley hype video telling the crowd to ‘make some noise,'” one user said with a screengrab of Barkley’s most aggressive cheer face.

As exciting as a supportive clip from Chuck is, the entire spectacle also made Phillies fans chuckle. It’s not the first time he has hyped the Phillies either. He’s always betting on them winning the MLB series every season and has insights whenever the roster isn’t looking strong. Unfortunately for Barkley and Phillies fans, Arizona eliminated them from the Playoffs.

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Before the Phillies-Diamondbacks game, Barkley was on TBS when he was bluntly asked who he’s rooting for. He evaded it at first, tried to say that it’s a win-win for him whichever team wins, but eventually Chuck answered. “Every time they show me on the Jumbotron in Philly, people sending it to me, so I got to roll with the Phillies,” he said.

As is tradition, the Phillies did display the local superstar on the screen to hype the crowd. He’s surely getting an influx of his own face now. And he’s loving every bit of it.

Chuck will take no Phillies slander

The love between Phillies nation and Barkley is mutual. The team even invited him once to throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Apparently Charles can’t throw a baseball as well as a basketball. He’s not the first celebrity to botch the first pitch and there was no love lost between him and the team.

Barkley still brought it up and compared his pitching skills to that of  Stephen A. Smith. The ESPN analyst threw the first pitch for the Phillies almost a month ago which doesn’t have us holding our breaths on his baseball career.

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Regardless, the Phillies have a consistent cheerleader on their side in the 76ers star. Are you on Barkley’s team or not?