On Tuesday, September 27th, 2010 at approximately 10:03 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Jay Bruce hit a walk-off home run that clinched the National League Central division pennant for the Cincinnati Reds. Bruce’s opposite-field liner ended 15 years of futility for the organization and seemed, in an instant, to lift a veil of gloom, despair and pessimism that permeated the franchise, its city, and its fans for much of the last 20 years.
A fan of a sport lives a vicarious life through the exploits of the players and teams he follows. A fan derives purpose, pleasure, and a shared sense of accomplishment when his preferred team and his favorite players succeed. When a franchise accrues a sustainable and large enough foundation of loyal fans, and provides sufficient quality performances, a palpable synergy ensues. The energetic and positive urgings of enough excited fans can elevate the performance of a team - the better the team, the more rabid the fans. The team succeeds, a fan becomes more fanatical, and the result is often greater success for the team, and a more enjoyable experience for an ever-expanding number of fans. Cause and effect blurs in an escalating whirlwind of victories and cheering, pennants and celebrations.
This is a positive impact of a sport, and justification of a fan. If you are a fan, be a fan to your full potential. Pour forth your full enthusiasm and inspire your team to greater heights. Make the relationship between fan and team a symbiotic, positive one that maximizes the experience of each. Be a great fan, have a great time, cheer a great team!
From September 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com
A fan of a sport lives a vicarious life through the exploits of the players and teams he follows. A fan derives purpose, pleasure, and a shared sense of accomplishment when his preferred team and his favorite players succeed. When a franchise accrues a sustainable and large enough foundation of loyal fans, and provides sufficient quality performances, a palpable synergy ensues. The energetic and positive urgings of enough excited fans can elevate the performance of a team - the better the team, the more rabid the fans. The team succeeds, a fan becomes more fanatical, and the result is often greater success for the team, and a more enjoyable experience for an ever-expanding number of fans. Cause and effect blurs in an escalating whirlwind of victories and cheering, pennants and celebrations.
This is a positive impact of a sport, and justification of a fan. If you are a fan, be a fan to your full potential. Pour forth your full enthusiasm and inspire your team to greater heights. Make the relationship between fan and team a symbiotic, positive one that maximizes the experience of each. Be a great fan, have a great time, cheer a great team!
From September 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com