Call Me Different: A Fan of Two Teams Speaks Out
October 26, 2009 · Shane H. · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
It’s World Series time; New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies. As a fan of the Yankees, I’m extremely happy to see the boys in pinstripes back on the grand stage.
Throughout the division series, I’ve communicated with several online friends on Facebook and an issue came up that I want to address.
Yes, I’m a Yankee fan: I’ve been one since I moved from Jamaica to Brooklyn, NY at the age of six. That was 19 years ago and I’ve been a loyal supporter of the Bronx Bombers through every one of those years.
However, when the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies came into the league in 1993, my brother and I decided to pick one of the new teams (both from the NL) to root for as well; I chose the Fish.
That was just something we did: We wanted to support the underdog.
This was not to say we renounced our Yankees. On the contrary, we still loved the Yankees. Heck, we were fans of all the primary New York teams (Rangers, Knicks, and Giants); although, in football I cheered for the Miami Dolphins only.
In 2001, I moved to Miami to pursue a college degree, and lo and behold, I was living minutes away from where the Marlins play their home games. This was great; I got to support the local team, and underdogs, as well as take in baseball games.
Anyway, what am I telling you all this for? Well, apparently (according to some) there’s something wrong with having more than one team to cheer for in a sport.
Where was this rule written? Let me know.
I’m a fan, but I’m not one of those rabid ones you hear about from time to time. I’m not someone who would get physical with a fan of a rival team: Life is just too short for nonsense like that.
At the end of the day, sports are nothing more than games, and I hate when people sometimes forget this fact. Games are supposed to be played for fun: Sure, these men and women get paid generously for playing a kid’s game, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still just a game.
I’m not out there on the field battling the opposition. I’m not trying to score a touchdown, hit a game-winning single, net a three pointer. I’m in the stands or sitting on my couch watching my TV; enjoying the display of athleticism before me.
When the Yankees play, I’m rooting for them. When the Marlins play, I root for them. When the teams play each other, I pretty much hope for a good series, but in the end, nine times out of 10, I want the Yankees to win.
I enjoy cheering for my team and defending them in a light debate. Yet, you won’t find me sitting around spouting stats from 50 years ago in an attempt to prove how dominant my team was, or is. Why? Well, for one reason, doing all that research is just far too tedious and takes the fun out of the game. For another, it’s just a little too nerdy for me.
So, let me ask you: Is there something at all wrong with rooting for two teams in a sport?
Whether you believe there is or not won’t change my view, but I would like to hear your take on it.
In the end I guess you can just call me different. I’m a fan of two teams, and I like it. To me, it’s one of the great things about America that we can root for two teams.
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