Root, Root, Root...

[DOUGHBOYS]

I saw a softball player come to the ball park yesterday with an, obviously, brand new Texas Rangers hat on.

Looking at the hat, I asked him if he was a fan.

He said, "Yeah, they hit the crap out of the ball!"



It made me think about 'fans' in general. There are so many ways to become a fan of a team. 'Hitting the crap out of the ball' probably ranks near the bottom.

Proximity has to be the highest percentage for an individual to become a fan.

Most of us are bred with a 'Be true to your school' type gene. It explains why we like the local high school, colleges, and pro teams.

In some instances, we watch the local high school kids grow up before our very eyes. Gratified to see their success on that local high school team and then maybe go to a local college.



Pro teams are different. The very player that the new Texas fan may have rooted for this year, because he can 'hit the crap out out of the ball', was an arch enemy of the Rangers last year, because he played for the Angels.

Mike Napoli.



Most fans blindly root for the organization or uniform. Who are in their uniforms are of little import, as long as they try and play well.

We don't know them personally, most fans do not know their families or backgrounds. What they DO know is that he is wearing OUR uniform.



For folks in New York, a pairing of Granderson and Cano can't be beat.

Milwaukee fans argue that Braun and Fielder are the best tandem.

It's not about the numbers in deciding. It's about the letters. NY and M.



My daughter roots against the Steelers thinking that Roethlisberger is a rapist who skates because of his celeb and high priced lawyers.

My wife roots against Michael Vick because of her affection for animals.

A friend of mine roots against the Yankees because the Yankees 'are rich and have it too easy'.

I think about that every time I see him in his Corvette convertible.



It seems to be an easier road to root against an individual player. If they win or have success, there is always that always accessible retort.

'He's still an ass'



There are certain things to like about teams.

I like the history of the Yankees.

Those Chargers jersies were the best.

But, we really don't know the person occupying those uniforms or jersies.



Our teams become Superman, everybody else, Lex Luthor.

We die a little when they lose.

Hop out of bed Monday morning after a victory.

They fill a void.



On Seinfeld, under the mistaken impression that George Costanza is dead, George Steinbrenner decides to break the news to his parents.

Frank Costanza, George's dad, believing that he now has the perfect audience screams, "What in the Hell did you trade Jay Buhner for?!"



George could have responded, 'Yeah, but they hit the crap out of the ball, don't they?'



[ October 07, 2011, 02:53 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]