The Penguins have been running commercials this season about the diehard nature of fans. The ending tag line of these ads is, "If being a fan was easy, it wouldn't be great". I couldn't agree more.
Being a fan means sticking with your team on both ends of the valley. Sure, it's a blast when the team wins & the town loves them. Yeah, it completely sucks when they . . . suck. The thing of it all is, you still want to cheer for them either way. I've been a Pirates fan for ten years. That's in the middle of the team's historic nineteen year losing streak. I'm aware of this. I've seen management unload great players for nothing because 'the team cannot afford them' or 'it helps us in the long run'.
The pains of watching the Pirates for years was gawked at by London Tower veterans. Last year, hope shined through the clouds. The team was in first place . . . in fucking July! People were talking about the Buccos without a punchline. Crowds gathered at PNC Park & shirts where wore with pride. This phenom is called, 'fair weather fans'. The minute the Pirates started losing again, the fans disappeared. Its too easy to like a team when they're winning.
Look at the Penguins. Before they drafted Sidney Crosby they were terrible. The purest of shit. I know, I saw them play like shit for years. Steve McKeena was our power-play star. Mike Eastwood anchored the defense. You don't know these names? There's good reason for that . . . they were pathetic! The true fan knows these names, however. It is the question I ask people who swear their lifelong devotion to the Pens. If they know, they're good. If not, they're a phoney.
Lesson is kids, be supportive of your team not matter what. Be that guy who looks in the camera and says, "I've been waiting for this for thirty years" & mean it.
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