The Ups and Downs of Fandom

From an emotional perspective, sports provide a unique experience unrivaled by any other in this world. There is really nothing that can inspire the masses like a buzzer beater three in overtime as the underdog triumphs over the favorite. On the other side of the coin, there is nothing that crushes the spirits of more people at a faster rate than when that same buzzer beater is scored on your favorite team. But that's why we watch, isn't it? The glory and disappointment; the victory and defeat. Well we got more than our fair share this weekend. So what would you like first, the good news or the bad?

Let's start with the bad. There were two low moments this past week that stood above the rest. The first has been covered on every television station, website, and newspaper around the country. The infamous infield fly call. For those of you who have been completely off the grid this past week, I will briefly recap the situation. So the Atlanta Braves squared off against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first ever win-or-go-home NL Wild Card Game. The Cardinals were up six to three when the Braves popped one out towards left field. A miscommunication between the short stop and the left fielder led to the ball dropping to the ground, loading the bases up with only one out in the 8th. However, stunning players and fans alike, the left field umpire ruled the play an infield fly. First of all, let me be clear when I say that this was not an infield fly. By no means was this a play that required 'ordinary effort'. Also, the umpire didn't make the call until a split second before the ball hit the ground. The rule states that an empire must make the decision at the peak of the arch to give the base runners time to adjust accordingly. This is simply indisputable. Needless to say, Atlanta fans were less then pleased. They demonstrated their discontent by littering the field with bottles and cans, effectively delaying the game for 19 minutes. This was a bad moment in sports.

This second story has been a bit overshadowed by other news stories around the sports world, but is important to touch on, nonetheless. Matt Cassel certainly hasn't had the best stint in Kansas City. Fans have been begging for Brady Quinn all year. In fact, a plane was even rented for the game carrying a sign that demanded Cassel be benched. But good spirited jeering turned into one of the most disgusting moments in all of sports. In the 4th quarter, Cassel was hit by a Baltimore defender and knocked unconscious. As he laid there on the ground, home fans proceeded to cascade the fallen quarterback with cheers. Now I would like to think that the cheers were for Brady Quinn finally getting his chance to shine rather than expressions of joy for the injury itself. However even if this is true, fans should know that cheering while someone is down is beyond disrespectful. I mean hell, we all learned in peewee sports that when somebody is injured, you take a knee and be quiet. It is important to remember that when it comes down to it, this is just a game. To cheer an injured player in general is pretty sick nevermind when the player is on the home team! Fans should be ashamed of themselves. At a certain point, the parallel needs to be drawn between athletes and fellow human beings. Teammate Eric Winston defended Matt as well as condemned the fans for their actions in a rant to the media.

So now for the good. There are few things in this world that can create the same level of inspiration as a great sports moment. Last night, as Drew Brees launched a 40 yard bomb to a wide open Devery Henderson, he passed Johnny Unitas' record of 47 consecutive games with a TD pass; a record that had gone untouched for 52 years. Records get broken all the time but this was a big one and it couldn't have happened to a better guy. Brees is one of the most likable players in the National Football League. He is the complete package as a quarterback; a natural leader, great arm, always consistent (obviously). A lot of times athletes will downplay the significance of a record. They will hold back their emotions and just shrug it off. After all, they are professionals and are in fact just doing their jobs. And there is a certain dignity that comes along with that. But last night, watching Drew Brees celebrate his 48 game streak, it was hard not to smile along with him.

The interesting aspect of a record like this, as opposed to a total yardage record or something of the sort, is that everybody knew the exact night that it would be broken. The NFL used this fact to their advantage. As if scheduling this game for Sunday night at home wasn't enough, the game was scheduled against the San Diego Chargers; a team that cut Drew Brees after drafting him in 2001. This represented more than the ultimate revenge on a team that didn't believe in him. It is also a common link that he shares with Unitas as he, too, was cut from the team that originally drafted him. Johnny's son Joe was in the crowd as well, which made the night extra special. Drew received a letter from the Unitas family wishing Brees the best of luck and complimenting his accomplishment. It was evident how much the honor meant to drew as he began tearing up during the post game interview with sideline reporter, Michelle Tafoya.

Last Chance for the Red Sox

The Red Sox are terrible; plain and simple. As a lifelong Sox fan, I find it extremely difficult to watch. It's been over a year since we've seen the Red Sox succeed at the game of baseball. The problem dives much deeper than simple on-field performance issues. The clubhouse is in turmoil, running rampant with coaching and player underachievement. This team is simply unlikable; a bunch of spoiled brats who took advantage of having too much freedom and ultimately got their coach fired. The same coach that turned the franchise around, breaking an 86 year drought and leading the team to win two World Series Titles. They whine and complain, blame everyone and everything but themselves, and just flat out stink.

I haven't watched since the All-Star break. I just don't see the point. I will watch this week, however. Why? Well as the saying goes in Boston, "I have two favorite teams, the Red Sox and whoever beats the Yankees." Although Boston hasn't had a chance at making the playoffs in a while now, that doesn't mean they can't drag the Yankees down with them. New York and Baltimore are in a dead even tie for first place with only three games left in the season for each team. They have both clinched playoff spots, however with the new wildcard system in place, the difference between the division title and wildcard selection is bigger than ever. This year, two wildcard teams are going to be selected from each league, at which point they will play each other in a one game playoff before the Division Series begins. Baltimore is set to face Tampa for their three games as New York is set to face Boston.

If there is any hope of ensuring a silver lining for the season, beating the Yankees would be the way to do it. To be honest, I doubt that the Sox have it in them. In past years, the Red Sox embodied the fire and passion that makes baseball the romantic sport that it is. You don't get to be 'lovable losers' simply by losing. It's the way you lose. In the pre-2004 World Series days, the Red Sox would come so close, yet always fall short. However, it seemed as if they were as broken up about it as the fans were. This painted a picture of relatability. It created the appearance that the organization was fighting side by side with the fans. When the Red Sox win, everyone wins. When they lose, everyone faces it together as one. This team just doesn't seem to have any of that passion. Although this probably isn't the case, it appears to most fans that they simply don't care. The least they can do for Red Sox nation, who has suffered enough these past two seasons, is to muster up the energy to knock the Yankees down a peg. Is that really so much to ask?

Torrey Smith

I will not be writing about the Seahawks vs. Packers hail mary drama or the cornucopia of blown calls and sloppy officiating throughout the season so far because that story will be beat to death on every media outlet that even remotely covers sports. Instead, I will talk about a far more spectacular story. Baltimore Ravens' wide receiver Torrey Smith lit up the New England Patriots this week on Sunday Night Football. He had six receptions for a 127 yards, an average of 21.2 yards per catch, as well as reeling in two touchdowns. Smith was the difference maker for the Ravens who bested the Pats 31 to 30. However, the stats aren't the only thing that make this story remarkable. Less than 24 hours before Smith caught his second touchdown, setting Baltimore up for a game winning field goal, Smith faced unspeakable tragedy. Early Sunday morning, Smith received news that his younger brother, Tevin Jones, had lost control of his motor cycle and crashed into a utility pole. The 19 year old was pronounced dead at the scene. In addition to being a big brother, Torrey Smith acted as a father figure to Jones, as well as his five other younger siblings, assisting his single mother who was often busy working to support her family. Sports have the unique ability to provide healing in so many different ways to so many different people. It is stories like this that remind us what the game is all about. Truly inspiring.