Why Be A Fan?
By Selena Smith
Sep 24, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics fans hold a sign as third baseman Josh Donaldson (not pictured) earns a walk against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Fan, short for fanatic, defined as, “a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person or thing.” If you are reading this you probably don’t need to be told what a fan is. We spend countless hours and hundreds of dollars, maybe much more, showing our “strong interest or admiration” for our favorite sports teams throughout the course of a season. And so, I was prompted to record some thoughts about fandom as a result of an exchange I came across on Twitter last week.
More from Oakland A's News
- Oakland A’s add needed bullpen piece in Trevor May
- The stark difference between Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants
- Jace Peterson – the Oakland A’s new super utility option
- Oakland A’s sign intriguing catcher Yohen Pozo
- Oakland A’s get rid of two more utility depth options
Once again someone decided to use social media as a forum to spew negativity about an Oakland Athletics pitcher, a real person. Yes they are in the public eye and yes that may make them subject to more criticism than the average person, especially when their team just watched a winning season slip away. But it begs the question, when is enough, enough? To what extent does a person get to hide behind an avatar and screen name while they call out a public figure for their every misstep?
Well one fan finally had enough. He challenged an individual’s antagonistic ways but was just met with an even more personal affront. This person spoke down on those who really care and devote more than a passing interest. In fact, I took it as disrespect to all fans who truly love their sport, their team, their players. However, it made me wonder, do fans care too much? Is it just a waste of our precious time and energy to invest in “strangers” as this individual called them?
After a disappointing outcome it might be easy to say yes, it’s a waste of time to get involved. But try telling that to the Kansas City Royals fans right now. They waited 29 years for the events that have transpired over these past two weeks. They couldn’t have dreamt of a sweeter story to tell. They don’t get a ring or even one cent for being a fan. But they got to celebrate with the guys who care enough to celebrate with them. They get some amazing memories and larger than life stories to tell to their kids and maybe even their grandkids.
And that is what being a fan is all about. It conjures up memories, reminds us of where we were in a specific moment in time. It brings people from all walks of life together, the only common denominator a logo and a love of what it represents. The most vivid reminder of this came after seeing a recent program chronicling the 1989 Bay Bridge Series and earthquake that interrupted it. Those bay area residents old enough will never forget that day, forget where they were when it happened, or forget how a silly old sport helped us mend.
Share your favorite sports moments and memories in the comments, I’d love to hear them!