Genuine malice or a worked print feud? Either way, it’s on between the Tampa Tribune’s Daniel Ruth and the Philadelphia Daily News’ Stu Bykofsy.  Of Tampa’s opponent in tonight’s World Series Game One, Ruth writes, “Philadelphia sports fans appear to have all of the sense of humor and whimsical joie de vivre of Pol Pot when it comes to their teams…they are known terrorists, communist sympathizers and pals with Kim Jong-il, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Fidel Castro.”  And while Ruth is clearly engaging in (admittedly) contrived hyperbole, counterpart Bykofsy raised the ante with aplomb in today’s paper.

Philly has Independence Hall; Tampa Bay has the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It connects Bradenton and St. Petersburg, which makes it truly a bridge to (and from) nowhere. It is a popular place to commit suicide. (Wait’ll the Phillies take the Series. Bodies will block the channel.)

When we win, we will have a parade up Broad Street. Where would Tampa’s parade be – in Arby’s parking lot?

In yesterday’s paper Ruth said Philly fans “want to eat your puppies and drink your blood. They are also Satan worshippers.” He called us terrorists and added something hurtful. Of our sacred cheesesteaks, he wrote, “Road kill is more appetizing.”

I believe he did the taste test himself because on one of my visits to Tampa, I met up with Ruth at one of Tampa’s finest restaurants. Like everything else, it was on a highway. I forget if it was IHOP or Denny’s.

In the paper, Ruth talked tall for a city where the people are called Tampons. It was pretty brave from a city where fans ring cowbells in the ballpark. Cowbells? Is the Trop a manure-filled pasture?

“What would Stu suggest the Rays fans do to demonstrate their excitement?” Ruth asked in print.

Easy. Do what Phillies Phanatics do – shoot off Glocks.