Bleacher Report - Articles by Joe D.

Relieving Sports Memories: 2006-07 AFC Championship Game

Joe D. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:03:56 -0500

I happen to be a Colts fan in South Jersey. Front-runner you ask? Depends on how you define it.

My mother went to high school—where I too am a recent grad—with Franco Harris, and since then my family has been Steelers fans.

To be different from my family, I liked the Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys—though looking back it was a jerk move. My first favorite athlete was Mark Brunell and I also had a significant Jacksonville phase.

So how do the Colts jump into this?

I loved the Phillies, who will always be my favorite sports franchise and I was a huge Flyers fan. I am mildly interested in the NBA, but to call myself a fan would be a disrespect to real fans. I never felt an association with the Eagles other than thinking Ricky Watters was a beast.

Again, as a seven-year old or so, I was really into sports.

I followed ESPN as much as I could and my only real moment of academic brilliance was knowing the starting QB for every team. I was a sports whiz, and though such feats aren' very impressive; I'm happy to toot my horn for a moment.

Enter Peyton Manning.

When watching ESPN one day, I remember seeing a highlight for the Tennessee Volunteers and Peyton Manning—the star junior QB of the team. I vaguely remember him throwing a bomb to Marcus Nash and it sold me immediately.

I remember his press conference announcing he would stay for his senior season. I hated seeing the losses to Florida and I can still recall the Heisman Trophy commercials consisting of Manning, Michigan's Charles Woodson, Marshall's Randy Moss and Washington's Ryan Leaf. Then the draft commercials.

I told my dad, wherever Petyon is drafted , I'd be a fan of forever.

I'd hopefully keep with that and have a reason to like an NFL team. I can see my dad saying, "well it's either the Colts or the Chargers for ya" and getting all excited to see which it would be. All I knew about the Colts was that Jim Harbaugh was the quarterback and was a pretty tough guy.

Lo and behold, the Colts drafted Manning and this is where the story starts.

The first season for Manning in Indy was rough. I didn't have the mental capacity to understand if he was actually having a good season, but later I was excited to see the Colts in the playoffs consistently.

My earliest playoff memory was getting ready to go to a recreational league indoor soccer game and seeing Mike Vanderjagt miss a field goal against the Miami Dolphins.

Basically, from that point on, every year brought promise, expectations, and then a let down.

Close but no cigar is not a fun thing to relive every year. Then there was this whole, "can't beat the Patriots" stigma following the team.

When the Colts actually made it to the AFC Championship Game after great performances against the Chiefs and Ravens, I thought they had it.

Then, after an Asante Samuel pick six I nearly gave up.

I remember sitting in my room, stunned to the point of silence in front of my TV. I didn't have the heart to turn it off. I went to hang out with my now deceased dog and tried to convince myself it was just a game.

I felt helpless, an emotion usually reserved for those who have experienced a death in the family.

Sure, it was just a game but are there any other things in this world that can skyrocket our blood pressure other than an NFL game? Unless it's an immediate blow-out, you are usually taken on a roller-coaster of emotions: either elation or murderous thoughts.

Even after the Colts marched down the field to make it 21-13 on a Peyton Manning sneak, I was convinced the game and season were over. I was still in "I'm watching only because I won't see them again until August" mode, when the Colts forced a punt.

Then I faced an all-too familiar feeling.

The dreaded optimism.

Usually optimism is followed by reality in which you realize you should never be optimistic with football.

Sure enough, optimism was followed by...hope.

Dan Klecko, our makeshit fullback of all people scored (quickly followed by one of Peyton Manning's best passes on a 2-pt conversion) and then hope was replaced by reality when Hobbs nearly went the distance on a kickoff.

I was in a state of disbelief, there's no way a comeback like that could be all for naught could there?

I remember talking to someone on my sports message board and mentioning that there was no way this could be it. He, a Patriots fan, said "remember Manning isn't clutch" just as Stephen Gostkowski nailed a field goal to make it a 3-point ballgame.

Jim Nantz of course sounded excited as he wondered if this could be the main chapter in Peyton Manning's career, while Phil Simms doubted that a Belichick team would lose in the playoffs.

We all know what happened here.

Manning led the team down to inside the ten when Joseph Addai capped off an impressive rookie campaign by running up the middle for a TD. I clapped a few times but still thought, "one minute is too much to give to Tom Brady."

Then Marlin Jackson successfully picked off Brady and I was in such a state of shock that I am convinced it has not yet worn off.

That game completely changed my outlook on sports. Even during the Phillies, Flyers, March Madness or Wimbledon; I still think back to that game. As the two teams face tonight, I am eagerly awaiting another chapter in what may be the best rivalry between two quareterbacks in a long time.

One Final Out With Harry The K

Joe D. — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:29:25 -0400

Over the past few months, I have aspired to write an article based on the relationship between the fans and their favorite teams' broadcasters. I longed to make a connection between my family and Phillies' broadcaster Harry Kalas.

Harry Kalas passed away today at age 73. I've read plenty of articles (all containing the same info) about his passing and it's yet to sink in. I keep expecting to hear an "OUTTA HERE!" after a Chase Utley home run or a "Good Night" at the conclusion of the games.

Instead of writing a summary of fans and broadcasters, I want to make this a bit more personal.

Baseball is, and will always be, my first true love. I was a decent baseball player growing up and was able to start on my high school freshman team, playing on various travel teams. I was never the best on the team, as I would be easily flustered after striking out or making an error.

Still, nothing beat putting the high socks on or shopping for a new bat. I would have to quit baseball after my sophomore year as I started to become more successful in cross country and track.

But one thing that's always connected me with the baseball world was the Philadelphia Phillies. I have a nice group of friends that I get to go to Phillies (or their minor league affiliates, the Lakewood Blueclaws) games, or just go over to one of their houses to watch the game.

We send bulk text messages to each other when something major happens (whether it be shouting WORLD bleepin' CHAMPIONS or Lou Marson being called up) and eagerly await the next game.

We've seen many good players such as Scott Rolen, Bobby Abreu, Curt Schilling, Pat Burrell, Jim Thome, and Aaron Rowand leave town.

We've complained about the liabilities that were Adam Eaton, Jose Mesa, Antonio Alfonseca, Geoff Jenkins, Terry Adams, and Jeff Brantley. There were memorable managers and head-scratching trades that always resulted in getting stalwarts such as...Travis Lee?

But Harry Kalas was always there. If there was a rain delay, we'd hear him narrate a Phillies program. If there was a home run or big play, we'd hear him exclaim just like we would. We heard that calming baritone of his and imagined warmer weather.

My parents and I would talk about how great it would be to relax on the couch and hear Harry the K broadcast today's game. He was the remaining constant of the team.

As much as I loved seeing the champions on ESPN on Opening Night, it wasn't the same without hearing Harry Kalas' voice. I was so excited when the first game with the local crew was aired because it was officially baseball season.

Sadly, it lasted just a week. I will never stop watching the Phillies' games, but the magic of the team will be slightly less bright. Whenever Chase Utley makes a big play, there will be no more "Chase Utley, YOU ARE THE MAN!" from the broadcast booth.

Ryan Howard will be affectionately called "the big man," but it won't be the same. Even hearing him chuckle on a goofy play or reminiscing about Richie "Whitey" Ashburn will be missed.

I'll miss Harry Kalas. It still saddens me to think that just yesterday I heard him broadcasting. The rapid chain of events is still shocking.

One moment ESPN is announcing that he was taken to a local hospital after being found unconscious in the broadcast booth, the next I'm refreshing Google News for updates until I saw the headline announcing his passing. The numerous video montages showing him will give you a heavy heart.

Harry the K, you were a great broadcaster. I'm going to the game on April 21st against the Brewers, and will firmly think of your faithful home run call if one is hit.

R.I.P.

Sports Fan Laws: Break 'em and Lose Your Fanhood

Joe D. — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:55:41 -0400

Throughout my stay at Bleacher Report, my whole "theme" is usually dedicated to examining the relationship between the fans and their teams. I've developed personality traits, anecdotes, and even referring to a stadium as a "second home."

But there's only so much we notice. I've been away from BR for a while (this is only my second article in a few months) but I've noticed several things while I was away from this site.

These are the "What Not To Do" as a sports fan rules, and doing any of these actions will result in the stripping of fanhood (after a fair trial).

Fitted Hat Rule:
This is more of a generational thing, but everyone from James Knox Polk to an octuplet has seen this violation.

With more and more of these "crazy" kids (myself included...sort of...just read on) buying these hats, this law needs to be created.

From this point on, no serious fan will be allowed to wear a team hat that's not of their own team. I've constantly seen Phillies fans rocking Braves lids and I'm actually pretty offended.

A new favorite of mine was seeing a Phillies hat with the New York Mets styled font. I'm still debating if that's a violation of anything.

Fantasy Sports
The one gray area for me involving real sports and my fantasy squads is how to root for them when they face my teams. Regardless of how much money you may win from now on, you cannot celebrate an opposing player's accomplishments for the sole fact that it gives you six points.

This rule is set in stone for Jets fans who have Tom Brady or Randy Moss or any other rivalry buster. This rule can be overturned if a truly amazing play has occurred that causes you to gasp.

It can also be overturned if your real team is dominating by a total of three possessions or more in football, non-close situations in baseball, over two goal deficits in the NHL or six possession leads in basketball.

Giving Up The Season
Regardless of how bad your team is, even if they are in contention to draft Joe Montana or Stephen Strasburg, you can never root for your team to tank it.

Sure getting the No. 1 pick definitely has its perks so it's not a total strip of the fanhood. But you'll lead a double-agent life. You have sinned against your team and must suffer through having that "rooting against your team" on your conscience. Consequences of such nature can and probably will be blamed on you.

Abandoning Teams and/or Players
This is where it gets tricky to deduct punishments. Seattle Sonics fans lost their team but it still lives on in Oklahoma City Thunder colors. Now what is a fan to do in a situation where a team abandons their home city? There are a multitude of options that include:

Continue rooting for the departed team.
Secondary teams can be pursued but should be limited to closest (unless it's a rival to your ex) in proximity, an ex-favorite coaches/player's new haunting grounds (unless it's a rival to your ex) or a team that was local in your childhood.
Abandoning the sport is feasible and you will be admitted back if your city gets its team back.

Same goes with players that you loved and dedicated your time to by acquiring merchandise or reaching to draft them in fantasy drafts; only to see the front office turn its back on them.

If they are that "special" player that leaves in their prime to an opposing team, they are allowed to be your secondary team. However you only have one offseason to make this acquisition or a day if it's an in-season one (sorry).

Questioning the Fanhood of Others
Yes, this is a bit of a play on the espn360 commercial that dwells into this topic. If you are in a group of friends and one of the friends doesn't know that a game is on you are allowed to question their fanhood.

There has to be a group discussion as questioning the fanhood has its consequences, it is almost like doubting someone's love of their family or dogs. A formal questioning is needed with at least two other friends present and then you can discuss pressing charges. The questioning needs to bring up the following statements:

Explanation on why they weren't attending the game (or gathering)
Explanation on how they could miss something
If they didn't know a game is on, a one-on-one deep conversation is needed.

Once that is done, the questioned fan needs to know that he is endanger of losing his fanhood. However if they prove you all wrong and has overthrown you all, you are in jeopardy of getting the tides to turn on you.

If they prove you right, no matter what they do they aren't a true fan anymore. They can comeback only if they astound you all or win a bet that results in the reversal. But no matter what they do, you are allowed to not take them seriously.

This is severely impacted if you only have one friend.

If you have your own rules, feel free to add them.

NFL Draft: Let's Face It, You Are The Only Intellectual

Joe D. — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:04:58 -0400

To be honest, the NFL Draft is annually on my "Best Day of the Year" top-10 list.

I'm a draftnik and I have no shame admitting that. For some reason, people do not understand what it takes to search up hundreds of potential future superstars and balance a Facebook social life. It's hard work, people.

I love everything about the Draft from the beginning of the College Football season to the end of the Super Bowl, then the "real" season begins. Invitations to the Senior Bowl, Combine, Texas vs. the Nation, the Pro Day drama and the ever important 40-yard dash in your Under Armour.

Who doesn't like seeing Casey Hampton in his long johns and running without a shirt on? It's way more entertaining than anything they could put on TMZ! I can follow that up by "tweeting" to my friends about how that .1 of a second that Knowshon Moreno shed that makes him a bonafide starter! Then they can call me Mel Kiper III or someone who's bound to be a sportscaster or Cosmo Kramer plus snuggie in ten years! It's a risk taking life, the life of a Draftnik.

But what drives our people to the Draft? The casual fan will brush up on the top 30-50 guys or so to see the names they'll recognize and wait to see who their team takes as their first pick. Then they turn on their local news and wait until Sunday night to see the "finished" product. Maybe they will read a few scouting reports to see if that 7th round WR has kick return potential and be that crucial gamebreaker for their squad.

Turning off the draft is near-blasphemy and enough to dare I say, question one's fanhood to us. Doing such actions is like questioning the faith of Pat Robertson, you should just never admit that to your friends.

In all seriousness, most of the football world's fascination with the draft is enough to keep Sigmund Freud engaged for awhile. This is the only time a football fan will actually bypass real football skill to see cone drills. Of course, we'll use such mundane things as production, offensive schemes and schedule strength with the Wonderlic.

But most importantly, and I am in this faction, I think there's a bit of selfishness to the Draft by the fan. It's the equivalent of fantasy sports or the March Madness pool. We want to play GM without the cap for a bit. Why not trade the whole draft for Matthew Stafford or take Jason Boltus out of Hartwick in the fourth round? We are certain that we know more than the front office and unless you are a Raiders fan, you do not. Even Matt Millen picked Calvin Johnson! We want to find those gems from the NAIA or the DIII level. We want to know the future stars of the game so we can shout on rooftops to our grandchildren in Canton, Ohio that "I found this kid!" It's being a pseudo-agent or PR man.

Because why else would I want to see college grown kids in their underwear and use terms like "heavy-legged waist bender"?

Indianapolis Colts: Failure, When It All Goes Wrong

Joe D. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:28:53 -0500

Noun

vibe - a distinctive emotional aura experienced instinctively; "that place gave me bad vibrations"; "it gave me a nostalgic vibe"

(Courtesy of http://www.thefreedictionary.com/vibe )
_______________________

Oh that word, the vibe. It's hard to think of another word that can exemplify harsh superstitions or just a feeling of oncoming dread. It's nearly impossible to shake off a vibe unless everything goes over swimmingly.

As a Colts fan, I know I have little to complain about given the regular-season success and the Super Bowl ring. It's understandable why other franchises would love just to see their team make a Divisional Playoff Game, let alone win a Super Bowl.

Maybe I've been spoiled by their regular-season successes or such. But I think I can speak for most of the fans of any sport (from the NFL to the IRL) when I say, we've been down this road before.

With the exception of that iconic (in Colts fans minds) playoff run two seasons ago, it's been a bit of a bumpy road for the Colts in the playoffs. One week you'll see Peyton Manning light up a secondary, the next you will see a team dismantled by a "puny" running back by today's standards.

It's tortorous when you have a top team and just see them crumble. At least do the effort to blow us out.

But then comes failure. How terrible of a feeling is that? In society, our sports teams are such a vital piece to our construct as it's almost an antidote. Who's had a bad day and just sat down and watched a sporting event and everything seemed right? I'd bet the farm that nearly everyone has been there before.

Our sports teams may change in rosters, but they don't change in familiarity. (DISCLAIMER: Unless you're team is relocated)

They usually are always there for us when the season comes around. Thanks to the Internet, there's always news about them. There's a draft to look forward to, a free agent signing period to speculate about and a training camp to sweat out. For Hamels' sake, there's even fantasy leagues to keep us afloat.

But I write this as failure just slapped me across the face silly. As I watched drive after drive stall, and the momentum scales slightly tip to San Diego; a new feeling hit me: numbness.

I used to be a verbally passionate fan. I'd hit things, scream at the TV or even think of the asinine. Never anything that ever involved Jim Sorgi, but enough to get you thinking "Am I stupid?" afterwards.

But this feeling? Terrible. It was worse than anger, at least that will subside. I just sat in my chair and stared. The game wasn't over but my feelings were pretty set on not showing much. I had that feeling, that vibe, in me that this game would probably not go well.

Wasn't I right? It almost felt like a preseason game where you don't care as long as we all are healthy, but you still don't like losing.

In no way has my fanhood receded in anyway. But man, this feeling truly was a new low. Sure you can always say, "it's just a game". But it's not.

It's a way of life.

Major Moments in Sports: What Will We Remember Most?

Joe D. — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:41:58 -0500

One of the many interesting things about the sports society is how well it can merge the generations. I think back to a discussion that my grandfather, my dad, and myself had a few years back before my grandfather's death.

It wasn't a "Who Is The Best....?" conversation, rather a collective look at the Philadelphia Phillies history from the '40s and '50s to present day.

We mentioned the likes of Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt, Dutch Daulton, Scott Rolen, and Chase Utley.

The conversation was brief and it was filled with laughs over John Kruk, ecstasy with the 1980's winning squad, and despair over the likes of Andy Ashby, J.D. Drew, and many memorable players who have been booed since they returned to Philly.

For people who are close to my age, we weren't around during some of the most major sporting moments of the past 50 years.

We didn't witness "The Miracle on Ice," "The Thrilla in Manila," or "The Drive." Many of us were too young to remember Jimmy Valvano's speech (though I am truly happy that ESPN continues to show it; it's an awesome thing to watch) or we barely remember Tyson v. Holyfield II.

I start to wonder to myself, what moment describes my life thus far? What is that legendary game or personality? Sure, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open were memorable this year and the careers of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, Albert Pujols, and Roger Federer will always be cherished but something's missing from them.

Tiger is an icon, yes, but I will wait another two or three seasons when the history will be close to being made. Federer is a great person off the court, is still in the midst of a nice (record-breaking) career but lacks that commercial appeal. Most of us won't get off Facebook for him.

Same with Pujols, most sports fans may not appreciate his numbers. Manning and Brady are special but every generation has those great QBs, and they are just two more. Too many things have occurred for them to be the "main moments" of my 17-year life.

What about Lance Armstrong? Sure I clicked on the Tour de France a few times, but mostly I waited for SportsCenter to tell me how he was doing.

Selfish, yes, but the early hours of the Tour ruined my shot of witnessing annual history. Maybe this year will be different.

But I don't want this to be about me as I could look at the 2008 Phillies or 2005-2007 Colts (both seasons were rewarding, though one ended prematurely) and choose them. No other moments have made me happier as a sports fan. Or even a person in general. I am talking about the generational moment. Then it hit me.

Yes, the most talked-about athlete for the last half of 2008. We nearly got sick of him before the sports world turned its focus on the traditional sports leagues. He was Beckham only with the bling. Yes, the one and only Michael Phelps. The recipe for success was there.

He was well-known enough before the 2008 Beijing Olympics to have earned publicity before the Games. There was a clear goal in mind that would shatter records (both Spitz's record and the pursuit of the Overall Gold Medal record) that were storied.

He may not be Mr. Charisma, but he has enough appeal to earn all the attention in the country. He was on when even Los Angeles could see him live at a comfortable hour. There was even the patriotic feel that helped others root for him like he was a friend.

The 4x100m relay made Alain Bernard a villain and Jason Lezak a hero forever. Even Garrett Weber-Gale and Cullen Jones, the former looking like a stronger clone of Billy Joel, entered the pantheon of elite athletes.

Phelps' appeal was so broad that it made his teammates superstars and in Lezak's case; legends. Do we care about swimming? Not right now, but it now has a face. A moment. A team.

Now it's you, the reader's, turn. Again, using the whole generation (not your own opinion) as the measuring stick; what's your opinion on that special moment? Has one happened recently? A special, mouth agape, country-watching one?

Aging With Life And Sports: When Two Worlds Collide

Joe D. — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:12:30 -0500

I’m only 17 years old. Only. Only. That word continues to shock me as it minimizes my “problem.” I can say that I have, so far, lived an awesome life and continue to look forward to the future. Voting, going to college, graduating, getting married, having kids, etc. all intrigue me. But for some reason the number 17 is killing me this year and I have a feeling that 18 will be just as bad.

Aging is not fun. But ever since about eighth grade, I’ve only thought about how much it’s going to suck to age. I’ve pretty much wasted my childhood thinking about how I’m aging and I can’t even explain why.

Let’s see. I have two loving parents that make life both fun and funny. They’ve never beaten me and we get along very well. My sister and I are pretty close even though she’s moved out to start her own career.

I have five pets (including one dog that is 13 but you wouldn’t be able to tell he was a day over five) and that started some inside jokes about how insane my parents can get with their animals. I’ve lived in the same house, the same room, for my entire life and love the stability.

I live for summer. Not to party or do anything like that, but I love being able to unwind for a bit. Not that I live a very stressful life, quite the opposite. I go to school, run for cross country or track than go home.

On the weekends, I’ll either watch football (college and pro) with my friends returning from college or just watch football by myself. I don’t mind either personally, though joking around with my friends is my preference; it still is a huge thing for me.

Cross country and track are my two sports I do in high school. I played baseball for 13 years but quit after freshman year. I miss it badly and even got a little sentimental going to a sporting goods store seeing a father and his young son examine the new shipment of bats. The sound of two aluminum bats is a sweet sound, just because it reminds me of the beginning of baseball season.

Anyway, I’ve found a lot of success in running. I’ll be able to run at the collegiate level which is great. My first three seasons were good but only showed small improvement. I was the middle Varsity member but I wanted to stick out. But I was lazy. No summer training or anything really kills a runner when the season starts. I decided I wanted to be an influential captain.

My senior season, I called up everyone and we trained everyday in the summer. I formed close friends with guys who I just said “hey” to in the hallways and not much more. We all improved mightily and I understood what it was like to be a coach.

Seeing all of these guys improve after seeing them put the hard work in made me decide that I wanted to be a coach after my college days. I was our No. 1 guy all season and not to brag, but I feel like I may have influenced my school’s team for a few more seasons, which I don’t mind.

But going back to the summer training, it showed me why aging sucked. I grew a close bond with seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshman. Next year, I’ll be able to visit them a few times but for the most part; I won’t be there. Sure there will be a new team, but I remember what it was like to be a freshman. Then a sophomore and junior and seeing guys you ran with graduate.

The team chemistry changes as you miss those older guys cracking jokes. It’s almost like the end of an era. For example, when Tim Tebow graduates from Florida; watching the Gators won’t be the same but you sure as heck know that the team will miss No. 15 giving a pep talk before a game or celebrating during it.

Aging is a natural process but for some reason it hits me harder than most my age. Looking at pictures of when I was younger can get me a tad emotional. Not to the verge of tears or anything but enough to make me think about how much has changed.

Chart-toppers such as N*Sync, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys seemed innocent as compared to today’s T.I., Rihanna and Lil’ Wayne. You think of September 11th and the terrible events that transpired since then. I was in fifth grade when that happened and that may have affected me a great deal.

It’s obvious that there are good people and bad people in this world. But to see the bad at that extreme is very powerful, especially to a younger person who believed a fat man up North gave you presents. It changed me, I know that.

I am only really passionate about my sports, which has also changed a whole lot since I started watching them. Why is a NJ resident a Colts fan? When I was young, I was a bit of a sports prodigy when it came to reciting stats. I have a whole stack of sports almanacs in my room as well as the inaugural ESPN the Magazine.

I go to the same high school as Steelers great Franco Harris did and my mom actually went to school when he was a senior. So my family is kind of passionate, to the near-extreme, of their Steelers. As a kid, I decided I wanted to rebel and like a different team. I was a huge Mark Brunell-Jaguars fan but that was probably a three to four year thing.

But I started watching college football and the Tennessee Volunteers were on and Peyton Manning, a junior QB, threw this amazing pass to his WR Marcus Nash that turned me into a Manning fan.

I remember, in his senior year, the commercials for the great “Heisman Chase” that included Marshall’s WR Randy Moss, Washington State’s QB Ryan Leaf and the eventual winner Michigan’s DB Charles Woodson who would onto win it.

I was so upset when Peyton finished second but still followed him closely. It was quite obvious that I would become a Manning fan and when I saw Paul Tagliabue announce that Manning would be an Indy Colt? That’s all I needed to become a fan. Then I started to learn about the franchise, management and other players and I became a legitimate Indianapolis Colts fan.

The Phillies are a family and personal love. I’ll never be happier with those two teams (and the Flyers) then I could ever be. My sister went to Rutgers and I love following the Scarlet Knights, but it doesn’t have the same fire as the Colts and Phillies do.

This is why sports are a huge thing for me. Peyton Manning has been a Colt for his entire career and ever since I was 8. Sports are a constantly changing environment; even if you aren’t a fan you probably understand that. Manning is my favorite athlete and his stability as the starting QB for the Colts is one of the main things.

You grow an attachment to your team and certain athletes and Manning, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, and John LeClair all have that “special” feeling to them for me. When LeClair left Philly, it hit me pretty hard. I moved on but it felt like going through a breakup where things end without a definitive end. It drives you nuts on how you feel like you know someone without ever seeing them.

That’s why I think America loves its sports. The familiarity between yourself, your family and the teams is what makes it worthwhile. We all have stories about our teams to tell our kids or whoever wants to listen. It’s deeper than just balls and strikes or first downs and touchdowns, it’s almost camaraderie.

You get camaraderie in real life too. With friends, teammates and family you bond on a certain level. When the hardships in life hit you, you realize that your teammates or family or friends have been through something oh-so-similar. That’s why aging sucks. Eventually that camaraderie will be gone and you will have to rely on only a couple people to get you through the tough times.

Nobody will ever replace the important figures in your life whether it is athletically or in real life. But I guess you can make life an awesome adventure by searching for those new people that can fill the void. I’m not a Gators fan but I definitely see a lot of special things in Tebow. I can’t wait to find that special girl to marry. Yet I don’t want to get there in a hurry.

In conclusion, let’s stay off of Facebook and meet people the old fashioned way. It’s way easier to convey emotions in real life as opposed to cyberspace. Life is full of many adventures for the positive and negative.

But I’ll definitely be anxious for either.

American Futbol: Combining the Love of the Gridiron & Pitch

Joe D. — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:16:41 -0400

I'm an American Football fan. The NFL, College Football, and even the occasional high school game intrigues me to no end.

Watching star senior high school students eventually morph into successful college stars than professionals is fairly interesting. Just think about it, there are hardly any sports you can watch an athlete progress that much.

Major League Baseball's high school arms usually go through the minor league ranks and while you can follow them via the Internet, rarely will you see them on television. The NBA prospects usually just last in college for a season. And the NHL's best young guns either go directly to the league or go into the junior leagues.

But as an NFL/NCAA FB fan it's a common fact that it's traditionally an American sport. Sure countries such as Canada (under SLIGHTLY different rules), Denmark, Japan amongst others are starting to come around to the idea of the gridiron—but it's still dominated by the USA. But while Commissioner Roger Goodell attempts to globalize the sport, the focus of the world continues to be futbol. Or soccer to the US.

I'll admit that I was an occasional viewer of the sport. I'd watch the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Euro Championship when it would come on the airwaves, but that was about it.

I played the game from about age four to 14, so, at the very least, I understood the positions and rules. Beyond that though, I was clueless about the numerous leagues (other than the MLS, Serie A, and Barclays Premiership) and it showed in my conversations in middle school and high school.

The soccer contingency at my school isn't too large. Sure in our Spanish classes, we love watching the highlight videos of Ronaldinho and Robinho, but the game would tend to put people to sleep. Or it would be an awesome excuse to not learn and just watch TV.

But our school's soccer team are, predictably, quite the followers.

It was my freshman year. I loved (and still do) talking about anything in the sports world with people from NASCAR to the NFL but knew very little about futbol. Some of my friends on the team were discussing the sport—one of them is actually one of America's top prospects (played on the U-17 National Team I believe) but I played baseball with him back in the day.

Anyway, we were talking about who we thought would win the Super Bowl (as the season was just starting) when the conversation drifted toward the Premiership. I usually would tune out, but, with my ego, I would not be able to live with myself if I stayed quiet.

However, I kept quiet as I heard Manchester City's name being dropped and wondering to myself "They changed the name of Manchester United?!!?" Yes, I'm an idiot. I also nearly mentioned how I thought David Beckham was the best player in the world, but common sense kicked me in the rear. Not because I thought I was wrong but just thought, "Everyone knows Beckham, there has to be a reason why he wasn't mentioned." I was lost in translation.

Again as my ego about knowing a lot about sports was far too large to withhold that social beat-down, I did what anyone does. Go on the most trustworthy site (Wikipedia) on the web and see what was wrong. There I learned about the multiple leagues, players, history, etc...

I always knew about the hooligans and how intense they support their clubs. But I always thought the Yankees vs. Red Sox was an intense rivalry. Compared to the rivalries across the sea, the Yankees/Red Sox looks like the Diamondbacks/Padres. They're a rivalry?

As the days turned into months and months turned into years, I phased myself out of the sport with the exception of the 2006 World Cup. I knew of but a few players, but overall greatly enjoyed the tournament. But then as my summer vacation reached the beginning, I gave up.

Then Beckham came.

I feel like a fangirl. But I'm not a Beckham fan. Watching E$PN (not a typo) cover Beckham's move to America, intrigue me to no end. Not because I particularly liked him (had no real opinion) but their constant highlights of him made me appreciate the game.

The commercial with Son Volt's version of the Beatles hit "Hello, Goodbye" that was played to death, stuck with me. His first game was a friendly against Chelsea and while he had a bum knee, he came in towards the 80th minute (if memory serves correct) of the game.

The network had a "Beckham Cam"—should've called it the Beckcam, in my opinion—that followed him do everything from sitting to jogging in place. The stadium was actually rabid when Beckham trotted out. It's quite possible we'll never again see an MLS crowd that revved up again.

As a little side note, that was the most British I ever felt in a day. This is from someone who's 50 percent German amongst other nationalities but I was watching futbol and reading the last Harry Potter book. I might as well have been waving a crumpet in the air amongst other traditional stereotypes.

So my intrigue in the game intensified to the point where I followed most of the last season watching the MLS. But then, I found out we have the Fox Soccer Channel and GOL TV. However the season ended and I spent this spring and summer watching Fox Soccer Report. Then I figured out that the FSC showed many games from the Premier League.

But that alone couldn't have made me "choose" a team. Living in New Jersey, which is nowhere near any countries of note, it's hard to follow a team—obviously. So I decided that I would not be a front-runner and just choose a team like Arsenal, Chelsea FC, or Manchester United.

I'm a runner, actually a long distance one. My favorite runner is Australia's Craig "Buster" Mottram who specializes namely in the 5k. So while I thought it would be ridiculously challenging to reach his times, I just decided to inherit his favorite futbol club, Sunderland AFC.

But I wouldn't just stop at that point. Again, the sports ego of Joe D. struck again. I went online and played FIFA 2008 (yeah not a video game person but I bought it on my birthday) daily. I learned as much as I could about the club's history and current roster. Not to brag, but I even joined a Facebook group! Yup, my social life is indeed booming.

I wanted to do a Sunderland preview, but thought that I wasn't too enlightened on Roy Keane's roster to make a legitimate piece. It'd be to the point of embarrassment. Instead, I found light in the Bleacher Report's articles. Andrew McNair's articles and the comments by the fans continue to increase my knowledge of the game; so I thank all of you guys.

I would like to ask Americans to give "soccer" a chance. But not a half-assed one. A legitimate chance to see if they actually do like it. Try to learn about the rivalries and club history's before completely calling it boring. There's a sort-of majestic feeling about the game. But at the same time, it's not snobbish at all. The fans are intense and the commentators actually know about the game, which is something some NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL/NASCAR analysts should do.

Joe D.

It's Almost Here: Why College Football Matters

Joe D. — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:53:28 -0400

Summer heat is turning into autumn leaves. Autumn is quickly approaching. Besides the beginning of school, the season is synonymous with football.

But while we sort through our fantasy football teams and watch our favorite pro team's fourth string offense stall against the opposition, the College Football season is about to begin.

Collegiate football is one of the few sports that is completely driven by tradition and camaraderie, with a bit of amusement in between.

Parity has taken over the elite sports, and it tends to be a revolving door every few seasons to see who's on top. In a few years, the big rivalry of Colts-Patriots will be a historical highlight in the game.

But we can always count on Michigan-Notre Dame, Army-Navy, USC-UCLA, Oklahoma-Texas, and so on. Regardless of team record or current prestige, they will always register hype.

There is also always the threat of a new team trying to mount a legacy. Rutgers, Wake Forest, Kansas, South Florida, and mid-major Boise State have recently emerged as threats in the game.

While it's difficult to envision these teams still contending 30-plus years down the line (just because it's 30-plus years down the line and these teams are carving their history books, and teams like Kansas have thus far just shown one year), the fact is that the game is getting tighter and more diverse, yet continuing to showcase excellent rivalries.

In the NFL, it's impossible to think of a coach lasting 10-plus seasons now. Jeff Fisher, Andy Reid, and Mike Shanahan have reached that plateau, but hardly an offseason goes by where five-plus coaches aren't let go at year's end.

But in college football, you have the legendary coaches and recruiters. Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden are continuing to add to their extensive resumes while coaching the same program for 40-plus seasons.

However, it's unlikely you'll see powerhouse teams such as Ohio State, LSU, and USC coaches Jim Tressel, Les Miles, and Pete Carroll lose their jobs unless they go elsewhere.

The coaching schemes continue to evolve, yet stay similar. Sure, the pro-style offense dominates at programs like USC and Notre Dame, but gimmicky offenses continue to add excitement.

While some of the mobile or Run 'n Shoot QBs of the game may either switch positions or not work out in the NFL, you can't deny that college football just wouldn't be as great if Colt Brennan didn't get the second chance presented by June Jones. Pass-heavy teams are fun to watch, even if they usually have difficulty with the big-time programs.

Even the broadcasting game shows familiarity. Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler, and Brent Musburger, among others, are always there for us, whether or not that we actually like them. Former coaches such as Lee Corso and Lou Holtz are becoming part of the media they used to dislike.

I'm still certain that Les Miles would be an awesome media figure, but he's doing a decent job at what he's doing...I guess.

Regardless of what they do in the NFL, I will always remember Brian Leonard and Ray Rice for their Rutgers days. The same goes for Mike Teel, who blossomed from a platoon with Ryan Hart to become one of the more solid and reliable QBs in the game.

Sure, Teel may be forgotten by the masses as soon as 2010, but Rutgers fans will hold a small place in their hearts for him. Plus, Tom Savage and D.C. Jefferson will soon hopefully keep the Scarlet Knights in contention and more in the future.

Other fans will soon remember their iconic players of the recent days. Jared Zabransky, Jeff Samardzija (well, due to MLB) and maybe even Troy Smith may not have much of an NFL career (though something tells me don't forget the latter), but they will always be part of College Football fame.

It's almost here, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls. The season starts soon.

What new legacies will evolve? Who will take the next step from being remembered by just the fans to being an iconic figure in the sport (Mr. Tebow)?

Let's enjoy the season and find out.

Joba vs. Favre: Clash of the Mythical ESPN Beasts

Joe D. — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:15:25 -0400

It was only a matter of time before ESPN had to make one of the most crucial choices of its 30-plus year existence.

Brett Favre, of Packer fame, was reinstated on Monday and could return to Training Camp as really as Tuesday. For the past few days, Derrin Horton of the NFL Network and the deadly combo of Ed Werder and Wendi Nix of ESPN have been staked out in front of Packer HQ which is reminiscent of Sal Paloantonio's reporting with the Terrell Owens vs. Eagles conundrum.

Thanks to Horton, Werder, and Nix, we know nearly everything about the Packers vs. Favre battle.

The retirement, the marketing deal, the reinstatement, the continued agony of Aaron Rodgers and the awkward quarterback meetings that will soon follow. We also know the ridiculous stat comparisons between the two and Favre's amazing consecutive start streak. They even brought in Ari Fleischer, who regardless of your stance in the political world, who's had to deal with more minor problems like terrorism in comparison to Hurricane Favre.

If something were to throw off Favre Mania it would be either a Terrell Owens outburst, a Danica Patrick 8th place finish or Joba Chamberlain.

Chamberlain, who I truly believe will be one of the elite pitchers in baseball, has been the MLB's version of every mythical creature created. When he was promoted, ESPN quickly gathered all the peripherals and scouting reports on Joba and just continued as he dominated the eighth inning.

When Hank Steinbrenner "ordered" Chamberlain into the rotation, the world awaited as Chamberlain made his first start.

However, he did not record 27 strikeouts on 81 pitches.

But Chamberlain was taken out of his start with a "shoulder" injury. As we wait to hear if there will be an MRI, X-Rays or CAT scans; what will the free world do?

Favre or Joba? Chamberlain or Brett?

Chamberlain has just a shoulder injury which gives him the intrigue factor. We don't know what that injury could be but Favre has those credentials and the moxie of George Clooney.

I mean, he's just...biblical. Favre 4:17 could very well be the most memorable passage in the Current Testament.

Stay tuned to find out who gets the top story.

MLB's Trade Deadline Turns Fans into Skeptics

Joe D. — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:34:29 -0400

Today is one of the most aggravating, satisfying, and underachieving days of the sports season. The MLB Trade Deadline is always sure to bring plenty of buildup, denials, assertions, and false rumors.

Consider the usual storylines at this time of year: the X Games, the middle of the NASCAR season (right before the dash to qualify to the Chase begins), and the beginning of NFL training camp. You really can't fault the sports networks for their high-octane coverage.

The Trade Deadline though, especially with the MLB, is full of controlled chaos. Rumors swirl, but hardly come to fruition, and yet we can't get enough news. Whether it was then-Nationals OF Alfonso Soriano being rumored to every team in 2006, or Manny Ramirez just being Manny Ramirez annually; you can't turn on a sports channel without coverage.

It's funny how the sports fan looks at a rumor. If it's good and there are hardly any facts around it, just writer speculation, we start to congratulate our GM. But if the speculation never comes true? We feel shafted, betrayed, or any other synonym that involves negativity.

Every trade is usually going to not meet our expectations, unless you're a Brewers or Cubs fan this season.

This brings us to our "sources", the sports analysts. The list includes, but is not limited to:

Jayson Stark, Buster Olney, Peter Gammons, Ken Rosenthal, Karl Ravech (though he's more of a host), mlbtraderumors.com, Enrique Rojas (apparently Manny Ramirez's confidant), and whoever your local beat writer is.

While I give my respect to ESPN, as they really have been able to put out some good, quality, qualified baseball and college football analysts, but one has to wonder: Are these real rumors?

With general managers, team officials, owners, and presidents of franchises holding their cards close to their chest, you can never tell what's real. Most team owners flat-out deny any rumor, regardless of how strong the rumor may be.

Sure, they may drop a hint like, "We are still in the market for (insert position here)," but it is usually well guarded.

Even though the baseball fan treats their team like family, they still trust the outsiders more than the team. As a Phillies fan, I tend to hold Stark's rumblings ahead of Gillick's denials. But as a fan, no matter whom your GM is (especially if his last name may be Sabean), you never fully trust them. Maybe it is because I was theoretically "raised" by the Ed Wade administration, but you can't help but be cynical.

The rumored names of players that the Phillies may or may not be looking at include: Ron Mahay, Jack Taschner, Brian Fuentes, and George Sherrill. But in years past, the organization has acquired the likes of Felix Rodriguez, Mike Williams (disaster), Todd Jones, Kyle Lohse (relatively solid), and Julio Mateo.

With a track record like that, albeit a few occurred in the Wade era, you can never fully trust a team. I'm still picking apart the Joe Blanton deal, as I hated losing prospects Adrian Cardenas and Joshua Outman.

Good luck to your team and franchise today. The future can be bright for others, but mostly it's the present that feels important.

Negativity and Sports: 'Til Death Do Us Part

Joe D. — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:48:25 -0400

As I mentioned in my article "The Moods of a Sports Fan", there is a certain type of fan described as the "Debbie Downer". To sum it up, regardless of what happens, something bad will follow. But negative thinking is a common theme in sports.

We hear about it constantly on the sports-news media, regarding character, fines, or attitudes. Some just like to think negatively. We are force-fed the worst news possible on almost a daily basis.

However, while we can admit that we can't control these people, but we still throw our usual "if I had this much money..." argument, it eventually blows over.

But we are a society fascinated with negativity.

The most "tainted" record in sports may not be the HR record. It could very well be the 100m dash. Justin Gatlin and Tim Montgomery were former record holders, but due to the claims of steroid violations, the record seems hallow.

Even the non-track fan has probably heard of Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt, and/or Asafa Powell. But if say, Walter Dix of Florida State breaks that record, the cloud will start again.

Unless it's a name we know and "trust", no record is safe. No Tour de France victory is legitimate. If something turns up in hockey or a more prominent name comes up in the NFL (for example, a defensive end's sack total in a season), the cloud will surface over there.

Steroids are to sports fans as divorces are to TMZ. We know of a positive test before it may even occur, and we love to implicate those who turn up positive in the B sample. The term cheater is a loose term and it's awesome to be able to put that tag on an individual.

Even if it is just Neifi Perez.

We now know that we were in the midst of a cheater. Doesn't matter if all we did was once read his name in a box score, suddenly, everything that player does was irrelevant.

That leads to the thoughts portion of negativity. To bring this to a personal level, when something bad happens on the bottom line, here's what I see:

Real Ticker: Colts' QB Peyton Manning (knee surgery) out for four to six weeks according to ESPN's John Clayton.

My Ticker: Peyton Manning out for six weeks.

Then you panic.

I completely ignore the fact that, if the report from the Indianapolis Colts' brass is correct, it was a bursa sac issue in which it almost became infected. But I could care less. Knee surgery is not to be taken lightly, and then the season is over in July.

I hope I'm not crazy, but others have to think that when you see something involving your team and your fantasy team. We love to think negatively because, thanks to the media, our minds have gotten used to the notion that we are all going to die thanks to A-Rod and Kabbalah. Or that Brett Favre died on Mar. 6 and recently came back to life.

The best correlation I can think of would be the workplace or school.

I regret not being the most academic of students. I would rather focus on track and making people laugh in class than to do the work. Occasionally, every blind squirrel finds the nut, but I'm the squirrel that also lost the sense of touch when it came to chemistry.

However, I focused on making people laugh rather than asking questions to get smarter. It's better that people thought that I could be smart if I paid attention rather than not getting anything right at first and delaying that time by asking questions. That's not how it is, yet my mind is/was warped on that idea.

I'd take that C-/D+ and say to myself, "Man, today was an OK day."

However, if I hear about a surgery to a person I don't know (well, personally), and that I don't know all the facts about; I think to myself the world is ending. Until 2009 at least.

In the workplace, if an important client is coming in, you try to make things as nice as possible. But if you screw up, if you keep your job that is, you just beat yourself up for a day or two until you're fine again.

Deadlines are important but if you turn in something that sucks but is still praised, then you don't care. It's over. Now onto the next chapter.

That's another reason why I love sports. Jobs come and go. Grades eventually don't matter. As long as you passed and got your diploma and degree, right? Unless you're a teacher of course, then you probably should remember why you were there.

However, being a sports fan is life. It's not something that you can squeeze your way out of. Bandwagoners aren't taken seriously by the sports world, the real sports world that is, and you never want to be associated with bandwagoners.

Even if that means years of futility, near misses, and organizational blunders (I'm looking at you Sweet Pea Burns, Andy Ashby, Bud Smith, Adam Eaton, So Taguchi, Timothy Moss, Rob Morris at middle linebacker, Paul Abbott, Pavel Brendl, and the list continues).

You still bleed your team colors.

Let's face it. Life comes first, as well as the health and happiness of your family. BUT your happiness is right next to the box score.

Home Is Where the Ballpark Is

Joe D. — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:50:08 -0400

ESPN recently had an article about the demolition of Tiger Stadium and asked a few lifelong Tigers fans how they felt.

My apologies for not finding the exact quote, but to paraphrase he said, "I've been to 600+ baseball games and it's just a shame to see the outfield wall demolished".

In terms of revenue, fantasy sports, and a lack of a "major" steroid scandal, one could say that the NFL has surpassed the MLB as America's No. 1 sport. However, you almost can't go through the history of America without mentioning baseball.

Baseball is special. Most of us grew up watching it, appreciating the facets of the game, and how a game could be defined on failure (such as three hits out of 10 at-bats makes you a potential All-Star) could be so beautiful. Nothing says summer like a relaxing day at a ballpark with a beverage and a hot dog.

Baseball is almost like a gene. I know people my age who are such diehard sports fans, but their parents are just casual. But with baseball, it's very difficult to find a fan who didn't have a special bond with a family member when it comes to the game.

While I enjoy a great game of football (or six per week), the adrenaline of the game gets to your head. The complexity of certain schemes could drive some fans to the asylum as they try to warp their minds around it.

But in baseball? It can be a calming experience and just as enjoyable on the radio as it is to watch. Yes, there will be a shifts thrown out at certain batters but most fans understand the concept of double-play depth.

(WARNING: The next four paragraphs deal with a lame, sentimental thought. Feel free to skip it and continue reading the article.)

Maybe I'm thinking too deep, but this thought has swirled through my head. Aging and baseball may have a connection. As I get older and reach more milestones (graduation is coming up next June and hopefully I'll earn my license in August), it starts to click why sometimes we disagree a bit.

When I was younger, I watched SportsCenter constantly (still can recall Stu Scott shouting RAUUUULLL MONDESIII!), but also loved Thomas the Tank Engine of all cartoons. Lame, right? However, I actually saw my mother looking sentimental while watching this simple TV show.

My little cousin is two-years old and I occasionally see my mom trying to get him to watch Thomas. Maybe that's why we get obsessed with babies as we age. It's a relic from the past, when my parents could control what I could do.

Now that leash, so to speak, is starting to get looser and looser. I'm closer to getting my own life completely than graduating preschool. It's almost like we may want to try reliving the past, maybe just for a few hours, and recreate what it was like in simpler times.

When the biggest worry was, "When will he say his first words?", instead of "I hope he comes home safely." Could that be why so many people love baseball and the stadium?

Baseball is a game predicated on simplicity. You get hit by a pitch? Go to first. You get a hit? Go to first. Hit the ball over the fence? Awesome. Bring in Jose Mesa? You will lose.

Baseball has a certain magical feel about it. We played when we were little, but it's almost like going back into a simpler era. You get to think of greats such as Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. Sure, football has its legends, but very few have that iconic appeal amongst fans that the players of the 1900s had.

But to come full circle. The ballpark is like a second home for most of us. It's almost like a retreat. Sure, you have your fair share of rowdy fans, but there isn't as much testosterone and hormones flowing.

You can just get lost into the atmosphere of the game. There is a special feel about seeing a familiar ballpark restaurant or hanging in the fan zone. You get that feel at a minor-league baseball game or even the independent leagues (by the way, Shea Hillenbrand plays for the York Revolution?!? Awesome!).

It's the love of the game that drives these guys to play.

Yes, there was and may still be a cloud of suspicion looming over the game. But remember, it wasn't always like that. It's hard to get past the fact that every home run or every strikeout thrown by a pitcher could have been tarnished. But maybe we can get back to the roots of the game.

Field of Dreams? Bull Durham? The Natural? All awesome movies of one of the greatest games to be played.

I still love football, NASCAR, IRL, hockey, basketball, college sports, track, and soccer a lot, but baseball is just...great.

The Relationships of the Sports Fan

Joe D. — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:51:27 -0400

It's no secret that the world loves its sports.

While some sports can be considered regional, every country has a sport that makes them tune in. With television packages, Internet access, and the continued rise of collegiate sports, sports fans continue to draw closer to the sport they love.

Continuing on the theme of the sports fan, let's take a look at how we (the sports fans) relate to the game itself.

School Sports

Sports fans now can relate to the game even better, thanks to the way high schools continue to add sports. Just recently, our school added a lacrosse team (for boys and girls) that has sparked a large amount of interest in the sport. More people tried out for lacrosse, it seems, than the generic spring sports such as baseball, softball, and spring track.

While lacrosse won't get the ratings of the NFL, or even AFL, the point still remains that fans love relating to the sport they know and love. Let's face it; baseball isn't quite the same without the catch between father/son or even father/daughter.

There isn't a Field of Dreams without that special relationship in your life. I recently stopped playing baseball, and while it still kills me to watch others play (I've focused on running fulltime), I can't turn the page on having a catch with my dad.

The sport I loved to play, but now I'm just a fan.

But with the playing days over, I can still enjoy the sport thanks to those days. I feel that every sports fan, when they were younger, had one sport they loved to play. That connection between playing and watching grows stronger as you age, and thus you can appreciate the game even more.

Of course, not every baseball, football, lacrosse, or NASCAR fan played the game when they were younger. Nonetheless, playing the game and remembering those days makes the bond between sports and the fan even stronger.

Fellow Fans = Family

While we may be miles and miles away from each other, thanks to geography, fans are still only less than a minute apart. Thanks to the Internet message boards (and even Bleacher Report), sports bars, and even social networking sites, sports fans can stick with their own species in various ways.

When you stick two fans of the same team in any atmosphere, you usually can find a way to get along with them just on that basis.

A majority of us have been in this situation.

You are in a casual place such as a Home Depot, the supermarket, a restaurant, or amusement park. You're wearing you're favorite team's hat or maybe even a jersey. Then you spot someone wearing the same team's colors on a shirt. The person looks at you back.

In any other situation, this story could lead to handcuffs and a lot of explaining to a significant other, but thankfully, sports ascend that. You usually give a nod or a "GO PHILLIES" (or whatever team you support that day) and cheerfully walk away.

At a home stadium, high fives are frequently exchanged amongst people who have no clue who you are. But who cares? Adam Eaton got an out!

Favorite Players

Everyone has one.

No matter how much you love the team you support, there is one player on that team you hold to a higher standard. You start to panic as you see that the player is reaching an age that might constitute falling out of their prime. You notice that there are only two years left on their contract, and you start to ponder, "What will I do?"

Then you frighten when you see the injury report and they're on there. While you do know that you will move on once the player retires, gets traded, or is kicked out of the league, it's still a relatively sad thought.

When watching or following a team everyday, even in the offseason, it's almost like you start getting a rapport with the players. It's not quite to stalker or obsession levels, but it can be classified as "different" amongst other people.

You laugh when you see their likes and dislikes in Sports Illustrated or ESPN Magazine. Sometimes you'll hear a song on the radio and immediately go, "Hey, isn't that Chase Utley's walkup music?" Clearly ignoring the fact that it's "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin. The player transcends the artist, though I still can't get my mind around the fact that Pat Burrell once had Britney Spears.

Finally, it comes down to why being a fan continues to be so great.

I mentioned the word "species" earlier, and while it's not to that extreme, you have no problem in saying that you are in Phillies country...unless you're a Mets fan.

Talking smack to rival fans is acceptable, and you even ponder throwing something at the rival jersey that sits in front of you. But the relationships between the fans drive the game as much as the players who play it.

The Many Faces of the Sports Fan

Joe D. — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:20:53 -0400

You are in Round Four, and you see Matt Forte still available. Slowly but surely, you slow down your talking in order for you to telekinetically concentrate on telling people to NOT draft Forte.

You see, you just got the text alert that Cedric Benson has been released by the Bears and you are on cloud nine. You may hear someone in the distance say, "hmm, this Forte kid's numbers at Tulane look impressive."

Then you say "C'mon, he played in the Conference USA. Lester Ricard looked like an NFL QB there." But then you start to question yourself. Did I say that too fast? Was I clear enough? Then you fall silent.

Then the next guy ahead of you picks Chester Taylor (for some reason) and you exuberantly yell "MATT FORTE!" Then you scream like you're Howard Dean.

(To those who do online drafts: You've been here before. You have your player in the queue, just waiting for your pick to go up. Someone mentions Forte and you immediately type "who?!?!" Only if you're online you probably misspelled who and start to question yourself. Then you type in "YEAH!" before pondering your next pick.)

Friends say you are crazy. Others say you are obsessive. You simply can't describe the joy of stealing a player in a fantasy draft to someone who doesn't partake in fantasy sports.

But these random outbursts, whether they're exuberant or defamatory, are not limited to the fantasy sports world. In fact, every diehard sports fan (unless you're from Cleveland or Philly) has been through the ups & downs of being a fan. It's safe to say that we've nearly all been there before as we anoint ourselves "champions" only to end the season in the first preseason game.

Let's take a look at some of the different "personalities" or "moods" of a sports fan.

The Physically Obsessive

We are all obsessive in one way or another. But this fan just takes it the whole nine yards. They tattoo themselves (whether it's a real tattoo or a self-made one) in their team colors or team logos. They dye their hair. They scream throughout the game, downing multiple beers and only getting louder by the pint. They curse, they do physical actions that raise numerous eyebrows throughout the game. But once the Monday Morning Hangover concludes, it's back to the desk job. Taking care of the kids and feeding the pets.

The Mentally Obsessive

I plead guilty to being this fan. You buy the first Athlon Sports season preview article as soon as it hits the shelf. It's three months before the season yet you have already read three magazines and say how they don't quite get your team. Sure your team led the league in homers allowed, but you have a high octane offense now!

As the countdown to gameday begins, you pace. Whether you're at school or at the office, you think about various ways on how Martin Biron can make a run at the Vezina. Then the next hour, you debate yourself on why you're an idiot.

You outwit your friends by thinking extraordinarily outside of the box and while sometimes it pays out (I told you by cutting Donte Stallworth, Colston would emerge), it usually goes against you (Ben Troupe...I guess he wasn't the next Antonio Gates).

You are the best armchair manager, QB, crew chief, and coach in the league; yet no one believes you. If your season ends badly, you are convinced that your life will soon follow. You go through the five stages of depression weekly: Denial (That didn't just happen. Mike Vanderjagt is supposed to be the most accurate kicker in NFL history. That was just my mind playing a trick.) Anger (He just missed that kick.) Bargaining (Lord, if you give me a SB ring next season; I'll go to church every day of my life!) Depression (so....now what? Damn you Jake Plummer, why couldn't you beat Pittsburgh?) Acceptance (hey, 150 days until the NFL Draft, right?) But man, if your season ends victoriously?! You just reverse the stages of depression. "No, don't let the NFL Draft come now; let me enjoy my Super Bowl!"

The Upbeat Fan

Sure you had a 7-9, 81-81, got beat by the Montserrat National Soccer Team, or got wrecked by Fernando Alonso; but you made a big acquisiton. Or that crew chief? Man, they were just trying to gain a rapport with each other; chemistry is at an all-time high now! Regardless of the outcome, after an hour or two of sadness; there's always another day!

The Debbie Downer

We're going to suck anyway. They'll find a way to blow this lead. Who cares if we have Brandon Webb?

Composed Until Alone

You tell everyone that it's okay. From the outside you are the Upbeat Fan. Then you go home, in the sanctuary that is your room. Then you proceed to punch a hole in the wall that rivals Andy Bernard. Then you cry and stomp your feet on the ground like you're Danica Patrick.

Restricted Free Agent

Always an option until you think why you are a fan. Sure they haven't made the playoffs in 13 years but they will soon. But you keep reminding yourself that just in case another failure happens, you are open.

Just a Game....

Sure you aren't too pleased with losing but there are more important things of life (The Natural Enemy of all the other moods).

I'll Just Take a Title!

"Philadelphia Barrage?!?" I LOVE LACROSSE!

Bandwagon

We all know.

Delusional

You convince everyone your alma mater will make the Sweet 16 and none of the Fairleigh Dickinson alumni agree. You sway arguments to include your team and why you're right.

Not A Fan

Why are you reading this?

While I'm no Freudian, or even Frasier Crane; it's no secret that sports will always bring out the worst or best in us. Sure you can think of the other things, but this fandom....this love of the game just keeps you ticking. The camaraderie of being with a fellow fan, the joy that a game can bring to you is one of the most purest forms of happiness there is. While it may not end up that way, deep down you are grateful for this team.

It's quite funny how sport works. We all would love to be out there but it's almost like we are on the field too thanks to television, radio, internet or stat tracker. We feel like we are there on the field or making a difference when in fact, hardly (if any) of these people know we exist.

Yet there's familiarity. You watch an interview or a My Wish segment with a favorite player and it's almost like they're family. Certain athletes even feel brotherly or sisterly, fatherly or motherly to you. You see these people, sometimes every day for a week.

We think we know them and when something negative happens, it's almost like a bit of us dies. We mourn when something unfortunate occurs, just like they were family. But when we watch certain events, it's almost a zen like atmosphere. We appreciate the suicide squeeze or the splash 'n go pit stop. The royal flush and the free kick. The Statue of Liberty and the breakway. The alley-oop and the sub-43 second 400.

Sports are an amazing thing. It's the only time where our happiness is dictated on a win or a draft pick. Always enjoy it. But to stay away from the cliche, always think of those around you.

Then scream at them on why they should be as mad as you.

Comments appreciated.

Down on the Farm: Phillies Minor-League Report (Part One)

Joe D. — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:39:41 -0400

Disclaimer (sort of): No idea if this topic has been done before, I'm just really passionate about the Phillies. If it's been done before, my apologies.

For the past few seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies haven't had the prospect firepower comparable to the likes of the Rays, Red Sox, or Yankees. While the team still isn't in the "elite" territory amongst ML teams, strides have been made.

Let's take a look in the minor-league system to see which prospects could be worth something in the future or potential trade bait.

AAA-Lehigh Valley IronPigs: For the past few seasons, the Phillies haven't exactly had the youngest of AAA teams. In fact, most of the lineup is comprised of 26-year-old (and up) players or minor-league journeymen. However, there are two notable prospects pitching in Allentown.

J.A. Happ

Happ was recently called up to the Phillies to pitch tonight's game against Johan Santana and the New York Mets. Before his call-up though, Happ was starting to regain some of his value and confidence after a rough '07 campaign.

Happ entered last season as a potential starter if injuries were to occur. While Happ did make his ML debut (coincidentally on June 30, against the Mets in a doubleheader), he struggled, and his return to Ottawa didn't fare much better.

Happ battled elbow stiffness and it seemed like his confidence took a hit in the process. The lanky lefty, Happ's got a solid arsenal of pitches, including a nice changeup. He seems to be the lefty version of Ryan Madson, who also was a nice starting pitcher prospect before being converted into the bullpen.

Happ could be a nice end-of-the-rotation pitcher.

Jason Jaramillo

At one point, he was considered a potential starting catcher. However, as his bat hasn't improved enough, it seems his ceiling will be as a backup catcher. While he is a solid backstop in the defensive and play calling aspect of the game, Jaramillo will probably be trade bait.

AA-Reading Phillies: The R-Phils have perhaps the best arsenal of prospects for the Philadelphia Phillies. It's fairly difficult to pick just three or four prospects, but others will be mentioned.

Carlos Carrasco

He continues to be the crown jewel of the Phillies' organization. When LHP Cole Hamels graduated to the majors, the countdown was on for the debut of Carrasco. After impressive performances at single-A Lakewood, and a dominating half-season at Clearwater, Carrasco was called up to Reading as a 20-year old.

While flashes of promise were displayed, as expected by someone of his age, inconsistency was shown at a higher level of play. However, in his second season, Carrasco is knocking on the Phillies door.

His 4.18 ERA in AA isn't phenomenal, but Carrasco is showing to be a solid groundball pitcher. A good fastball, curveball, and changeup will turn Carrasco into a potential No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the bigs.

Lou Marson

Lou has evolved into perhaps the top hitting-prospect in the Phillies' organization. While athletic behind the plate, Marson's hitting is what's getting Philly excited. Batting at a .331 clip, with four HRs and 43 RBI, Marson is being touted as the catcher of the future for Philadelphia.

While his game behind the plate is improving dramatically, he probably won't win a Gold Glove, but expect a solid performance there.

Josh Outman

Outman entered the season as a starter for the Phillies, but has recently been "sent" to the bullpen. While the move has caused some controversy amongst fans, Outman's had inconsistent results. It seems that his future lies in the 'pen, but Outman does have a solid repertoire of pitches. Others to keep track of include Antonio Bastardo, Jason Donald, former No. 1 pick Greg Golson (batting .299 after an inconsistent start of career), and Jeremy Slayden.

A-Clearwater Phillies: After losing a few of its prospects to Reading, Clearwater continues to showcase top prospects annually.

Adrian Cardenas

Adrian is widely considered the best positional prospect in the Phillies' organization. Cardenas has been a very solid hitter throughout his career, and he is consistently batting over .300.

However, as a 2B, he doesn't have the range to be a SS or arm strength to be a 3B. His future may be in the OF, but he could turn into a valuable trading chip for Philadelphia as Chase Utley will remain in front of him for quite some time.

Joe Savery

Joe was the Phillies' top pick in the 2007 MLB Draft. After an impressive performance at short-season Williamsport and a nice season in the Arizona Fall League, Savery has struggled a tad at Clearwater.

It was slightly expected that Savery wouldn't be lights out, his ERA in May was over seven and his June wasn't much better. Whether it's a confidence, injury, or just a rough patch remains to be seen, but his last performance was a 6.2 IP, four-hit shutout.

Others to keep an eye on include Drew Naylor, Michael Taylor, and Tuffy Gosewich.

PART TWO includes Lakewood Blueclaws, Williamsport Crosscutters, Gulf Coast Phillies as well as Latin leagues.

Danica Patrick: Feisty or Overexposed?

Joe D. — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:23:27 -0400

The Indy 500 is starting to get back some of its ol' luster back.

The unification of both American Open Wheel Series (the Indy Racing League or "IRL" and the Champ Car World Series), the Dancing with the Stars victory by veteran driver Helio Castroneves, and the continued presence of Danica Patrick are credited with the revival of the race—and perhaps, the series.

However, while the unification has brought in drivers such as Graham Rahal (the 19-year-old son of Indy legend Bobby) and the well-named Will Power (praying he has a brother named Adam or Max), the hype is still centered around Danica Patrick—and deservedly so.

Patrick is young, attractive, and female in a sport that tends to be dominated by older, foreign men. When you count her win at Motegi Japan earlier this season, the Danica storm just evolved into a Category Five. Patrick was credited with "breaking barriers" in the same fashion that Billie Jean King, racing legend Shirley Muldowney—and if you read between the lines, it almost seemed that she was Alice Paul.

As the Indy 500 rolled around, it was quite clear who the front runners were: Veterans Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon, Tony Kanaan, Castroneves, Patrick, and her younger teammate Marco Andretti. The rest of the field appeared to be simple field fillers.

But as the race wore on, Danica suffered through an "understeer" problem which has hampered her throughout the season. She was battling anywhere from seventh to tenth throughout the race. She was competitive but didn't have the speed to contend with the others. At one point, Patrick was heard saying "I'm SLOOOOOWWWWW" to her crew chief Kyle Moyer.

But the race started to draw to a close. After what could have been the last series of pit stops throughout the day, she pulled off pit road as normal. However, Penske Racing's Ryan Briscoe appeared to have not seen her until the last minute and collided with her, taking both out of contention for anything.

As a fan, it was quite obvious that Briscoe was to blame and it was a simple "Wrong Place, Wrong Time" situation for Danica. However, after a few failed attempts to get the car rolling, she left her car and started to stride down pit road. There was no stomping or storming, but everyone could tell she was going after Briscoe's team who were still attempting to restart the car. After eventually being scolded by security, she had to leave. Patrick left the area until the end of the race.

Now, this isn't the first time Danica's shown emotion. Take the race at Kansas which preceded the Indy 500. When asked about rookie EJ Viso, Danica made remarks that included "Who is he?" and "he's driving like an idiot."

While those comments may have had substance, let's not forget that Danica is the face of the sport. She isn't the best driver as of now, nor a top-five yet. There was also the incident at Michigan in which she stomped down the track like a little kid and those infamous confrontations between Jacques Lazier and Dan Wheldon.

But Danica gets praised for this it seems. She's deemed "feisty" or "passionate." This is true—but I don't see Dixon throwing his helmet. Even former teammate Dario Franchitti kept a mature face on at times.

While Kanaan and Wheldon have had their moments, none of their's rival Patrick's. Let's not forget that Danica currently has about one win in 10-11 seasons of racing dating, back to Go Karts. Not exactly a great track record.

MLB Steroid Scandal: Forget the Past, Fix the Future

Joe D. — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:09:57 -0500

I know Brian McNamee v. Roger Clemens has been worse than Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears on the nauseating scale but nonetheless, it brings up the worst subject in sports—cheating.

Whether it has been as something as mildly discussed in the Nikolai Davydenko tennis fixing allegations, or major as steroids, or SpyGate; America keeps hearing about what's wrong with sports.

As ESPN continues to reiterate the severity of a hearing and repeated storylines (and witty headlines such as "Clemens takes the (Capitol) Hill") it begins to take a toll on the average sports fan's mind.

Yes, I think it's safe to assume that neither party is completely good or completely bad, but is it really worth the extra time?

Sure, we need something to watch, discuss and debate at the water cooler but in a few months won't we be back to the status quo? Maybe, you know, watching highlights? Wasn't that one of the glories of sports programming in the first place?

However, this situation is eerily similar to the one that happened last summer with jailed QB Michael Vick and the dog fighting scandal. At first it made you sick hearing some of the allegations but afterwards you actually got sick OF it.

A preseason blemish on what could be an excellent season will now overshadow a majority of it. When the World Series ends, and the year is seen "in review" odds are that the Clemens fiasco will overshadow the likes of David Wright, A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Johan Santana and Chase Utley's highlight reel seasons.

Scandal = Ratings. It’s as simple as that.

But I can't help but think of Mark McGwire's infamous quote of "I'm not hear to discuss the past...."

At first it was seen as a cop out and a way to deny without denying—but as time wears on, I think Big Mac made an excellent point.

Baseball can not fix what happened in the 1980s, 1990s, or 2000s, but it can make steps to improve not just the game but ALL of sports in general.

Let's face it, baseball essentially gave players 1,000,000+ dollars worth of reasoning to take steroids. But now, it's suddenly defining the game. It's hard to look at anyone without at least a minimal cloud of suspicion.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has to decide what his next move is going to be—or else the game will continue to be tarnished by the hoopla of Congressional Hearings and allegations.