Which type of sports fan are you?

[RealManOfGenius]

If your team has losing seasons, do you have the attitude that they won't get any more of your money until the put out a better product (team)? Or do you have the attitude that, win or lose it's just entertainment and just go for the experience of watching a game? Which fan is a "real" fan?

 

[Tickle Fiend]

I'd go to Cowboys games no matter what if I lived in Big D.

 

[Cy/MiG]

I've 'supported the home team' quite often, even if they're good (I went to the 2005 NFC Divisional round playoff gm), or horrible (I went to 3 Sonics games this last year).

I actually detest going when the home team is great because it means two things:

1. Prices are higher
2. More 'Fairweather fans' (I hate them SO much)

So yeah, I guess I'm a 'real fan', even though I'm poor.

 

[PainTrain]

I support my squad till death do us part, no matter what.

 

[Cy/MiG]

I support my squad till death do us part, no matter what.

Yeah, in general I'm the same... Ride or die

And I'm a Pirates fan, so...

At least the Steelers and Pens are great again!

 

[RealManOfGenius]

Well even though the Chicago Cubs have been in the playoffs the last 2 years, for the longest time there's been a debate about "where's the organization's motivation to spend the money on good players and build a winner, if they sell out every game even in last place?" That's why I ask about whether you stay away if your team has one losing year after another.

 

[slacker2114]

Win or lose, Steelers all the way. I'll break balls when they win. And I'll get my balls broken when they lose. Been that way for years and I have no intention of changing that. I will defend them, criticize them, cheer with them, cry with them and yell at them. But my support for them NEVER wavers.

 

[Laugh]

To me the worst fans are the ones who think because they can tell you every stat for the last 10 years they are a "better" fan than one who can't.

Just because someone older can tell me every Dodger batting avg and pitcher ERA for the last 10 years, it does not make them a better fan than a 8 yr old kid who yells his face off "GO DODGERS!". The same kid whose face lights up at the thought of going to Dodger Stadium.

It makes them a more "knowledgeable" fan because they are older. But better fan? no.

A geek historian who manipulates meaningless trivia? perhaps.

But in no way a better fan than that little kid who will go to sleep that night dreaming of wearing a Dodgers uniform one day.

 

[fantastic8]

Anything less then a championship is a failure.

Hard to believe I am a Phillies fan.

 

[Cy/MiG]

To me the worst fans are the ones who think because they can tell you every stat for the last 10 years they are a "better" fan than one who can't.

Just because someone older can tell me every Dodger batting avg and pitcher ERA for the last 10 years, it does not make them a better fan than a 8 yr old kid who yells his face off "GO DODGERS!". The same kid whose face lights up at the thought of going to Dodger Stadium.

It makes them a more "knowledgeable" fan because they are older. But better fan? no.

A geek historian who manipulates meaningless trivia? perhaps.

But in no way a better fan than that little kid who will go to sleep that night dreaming of wearing a Dodgers uniform one day.

VERY TRUE and good point.

Here's my question, though... what if the kid's a 'front runner'?

What if he's like most impressionable young youth who only roots for the winning teams?

(And of course I know many adults who also 'front-run', but we all know that they're just jerks)

 

[milagros317]

I've stuck with the Dodgers through good times and bad. I remained a Dodger fan during the ghastly 1992 season when they went 63-99 and finished dead last in the NL West. And I was back attending games in 1993 after that debacle.

Fair weather fans and sunshine rooters have their place in sports, to climb onto the bandwagon of a winning team, but the true fan stays with his or her team all the time.

 

[falcon]

i support my team, no matter what. this year during the off season, i did say that if the kings did not get rid of a certain player that i would not watch a single game all season, no matter how well they did. however, and thankfully enough, they got rid of the guy and are building a good, young team. so i'm happy that i get to watch this season! 🙂 but as shitty as my team has been over the last few years, i'm always there for them in the end. that's the kind of fan i am.

 

[Laugh]

VERY TRUE and good point.

Here's my question, though... what if the kid's a 'front runner'?

What if he's like most impressionable young youth who only roots for the winning teams?

(And of course I know many adults who also 'front-run', but we all know that they're just jerks)

Depends on the age of the kid and if he or she is able to comprehend the concept of loyalty and commitment.

Kids are going to be kids. Kids will always change their minds. That's simply part of growing up. It's unfair to compare kids to adults when measuring these traits and values because kids are still learning, or as you said, "impressionable".

But on an even level, is it fair for adults to say to adults "I love my partner more than you because we've been married for over 30 years and you've been married only one?"

That's what some fans are doing by insinuating they are "better" fans simply because they have followed a team longer.

 

[Cy/MiG]

But on an even level, is it fair for adults to say to adults "I love my partner more than you because we've been married for over 30 years and you've been married only one?"

No. You're right.

But if you keep getting married and divorced and re-married and divorced to your spouse for 30 years...

Or if you only marry your spouse when she's rich, then abandon them when they go broke...

REAL fans hang around, no matter what. (And IMO, 'fairweather' and 'frontrunner' fans aren't REAL fans, they're just spotlight hoggers.)

I was just throwing the kid monkeywrench in there because IMO loyalty developes at an early age. And you make a good point that many kids 'bleed their team colors'. That's the beauty of the innocence of youth.

Like you said longevity and statistical knowledge are nice, but it doesn't really matter on the whole. It's whether or not I am/have been a 'GENUINE fan' the whole time, IMO.

I think we agree.

 

[giantfan121262]

I have followed the Giants since the days of Alex Webster. That dates back to 1972. I have followed them through the lean times in the 70's and late 90's as well as when they were living high off the hog in the 80's. Hopefully they will maintain their swagger throughout the season.

 

[Sleepy Jean]

Well even though the Chicago Cubs have been in the playoffs the last 2 years, for the longest time there's been a debate about "where's the organization's motivation to spend the money on good players and build a winner, if they sell out every game even in last place?" That's why I ask about whether you stay away if your team has one losing year after another.

Have you ever been to Wrigley Field? THAT'S why we will always support the Cubs. Wrigley Field, especially in the daylight, is the way baseball was meant to be.

Love,
Jean

 

[Adam]

I've been dealing with 11 consecutive losing seasons from my Orioles, but I still cheer for them every year. I'd say I'm still loyal to a fault. Haven't actually been to a live game since the early 1990s, though.