Why we loved Shane Victorino

There are three types of players who really bring joy to fans.
The first is the Ken Griffey Jr.-type star who makes the game look so easy they inspire awe from the masses.
These players are very rare. You might have four or five in a generation.
Fans know they do not have the talent of these players - the Albert Pujols, Joe DiMaggios and Mickey Mantles of the world. The grace and beauty of their game separates them from the not just the fans, but other players as well.
The other type of player that really connects with fans are the ones who look like they understand how blessed they are to be in the big leagues.
Maybe it's a player who runs out every ground ball and plays with unparalleled intensity. Think of Pete Rose or Chase Utley.
These players help build up the deception that any man can play this game. Their gritty determination overshadows the ridiculous skills they possess. Rose had uncanny hand-eye coordination, the balance of an Olympic gymnast and the sheer strength of an NFL line-backer. Utley, meanwhile, entered the Major Leagues with the speed of a Division 1 point guard, the arm strength of an NFL quarterback, and a lot of power.
The third player is the guy who plays the game with so much passion and joy that fans can't help but think, that's how I would play.
That's Shane Victorino. When Shane Victorino confronted Hiroki Kiroda during the 2008 NLCS, demonstrating wildly that it wasn't right for Kuroda to throw at his head, every blue-collar fan in Philadelphia said, "That's right, Shane. You tell him."
When Victorino laughed at some strange event on the ballfield, every kid in Philly thought, "Yeah, that's how I'd react."
When Victorino cried after Harry Kalas died, he found a permanent place in the heart of every fan. We all thought, "He gets it. He gets us."
Would Philadelphia fans have loved Victorino, had he not developed into an All-Star talent? Yes, Phillies fans have a history of adopting players like Victorino. Think of Tug McGraw, Garry Maddox and John Kruk.