If I were Commissioner of Fandom

This post is slightly off the general topic of beer, but baseball games and beer are inextricably linked so it's justifiable.

Tuesday night Ken and I ventured to the South Side to watch my beloved Kansas City Royals take on the Chicago White Sox at Commiscular field. My point is not to discuss the game - let's just pretend it didn't happen. (In the course of writing this, I went to another game, which also didn't happen).

It was during this game I saw, as I do at pretty much every baseball game I go to, the most annoying thing that a fan can do while attending a game:

Wearing paraphernalia of a non-participating team.

"I'm a Cub's fan and I'm a huge tool" (I included my beer in the pic to keep it within the realm of beer)

Let's get this straight - It is fun when people come into "your house" and root for the opposing team. In fact, it's great. If I'm a White Sox fan at a game filled (well half-filled, cause that's all they can draw) with only White Sox fans, I am at a very boring game. Making fun of the opposing team requires opposing fans to be there. Great. The same goes for being an opposing fan. I love it when some dude who looks like he probably has a gun yells at me, "Yo, the Royals suck dawwwwwggg" as I stroll to the bathroom in my hat and Mark Teahen shirt. 9 times out of 10 it is all in good fun* and everyone loves exchanging smack talk. If you want to sit back and enjoy the game, go ahead, but there is nothing wrong with some good heckling (or is there?). The other 10% of the time, it can get a bit scary or hilarious.

* Great story - I went to a Brewers/Cubs game at Wrigley two years ago with Ken and others (I forget, sorry) that went into many extras and rained solidly most of the late innings. The rain beget more drinking and the entire LF bleachers was pretty riled up and having a good time. There was barely anyone left at this point and Ken and I were heckling this girl who had on both a Cubs and Brewers shirt (she was heckling anyone and everyone). She would constantly lift up the cubs shirt to reveal the Brewers one, cheering on the visiting team. I did what any upstanding young gentleman would do and politely implored her to lift up the Brewers shirt and see whats under there. She kept yelling stuff and then jokingly came up to us and playfully pushed each one of us as if starting a fight. It was at this point security swooped in to protect us and kicked her out of the game. We cheered.

(you probably don't read this blog, but I hate it when people use other people's stuff and don't cite their sources, so I will admit I am stealing the * usage from amazing KC Star writer Joe Posnanski)

My problem is when people decide it's ok to wear gear of a team that is NOT EVEN PLAYING. You are at a sporting event between two clubs, and you decide that it is a third, non-participating contender for which you should root? How about you go home and watch the game on TV so you can actually watch your team? Is the only clothing you own Cubs? Seriously.

Please note this is not an indictment of any fan base. It is just as common and equally annoying for Sox fans to be jackasses at Wrigley and North siders to be annoying at U.S. Cellular.

There are three possible justifications to this:

1. "I always wear hats to baseball games and the only I have is for Team X" (x = any team not playing) - This excuse is somewhat justifiable, as the first portion (wearing hats) is normal. It's still a bit annoying, but I will allow it. Easy solution - buy a new hat.


2. "I am a baseball fan, and am showing my enjoyment of the game" - Also mildly acceptable, but if we're talking shirt or jersey, then its just unnecessary.


3. "My gear is for a NL/AL team" (other league) - See #2

Most explicitly not allowed: Ronnie Woo Woo dancing like an idiot outside of the Cell. That could never happen...OR COULD IT?! Just woo when woo you woo think woo you woo were woo safe woo:

"If you give a homeless man a jersey..."

P.S. During both games hilarious speculation occurred. Having bought the best seats in the house with Ken, then last night getting them for free because I'm good looking, we were right behind home plate in the player's seats. Tuesday, an insanely hot woman with an insanely large wedding ring strolled down and sat by herself and very disinterestedly watched the game. Immediately, we realized she had to be someone's wife. So I busted out the iPhone and started google image searching "[Player Name] wife." After verification the next day, it was determined it was Joe Crede's wife. Wednesday night, sitting immediately in front of us was another woman who was clearly a wife (she was brought a white sox jacket from an employee to warm up...)! To assist in identification, I very discretely emailed Ken this picture of what turns out to be Mrs. Pierzynski. We thought it wise after she left to notify the two rowdy gentleman behind us who she was as every time AJ came up they yelled "GET A HIT POLLACK!" It was awesome.

MISC Pics from the Game:

Olivo nearly Gets in a fight with Dotel

Konerko Walking Off in the 15th :(

P.P.S. Thanks to Scott for the feedback on the blog thus far. As noted in the first post, I tend to write as I think/speak - long, rambling thoughts. I'll make a better attempt to keep the formatting more succinct and the thoughts more coherent. So for both of you who read this, please send any feedback my way.