Baseball fans
There are several different types of baseball fans. Attitude seems clearly linked to favorite team. So, although I recognize that my blog has become a little baseball-centric of late (forgive me! It's the playoffs!) I offer the following categories, and if you come with others email me--hant at heidimail dot com (or any other email address of mine you like using).

1) The Masochist. This type of fan sticks with his/her team through thick and thin. Will watch to the bitter end even if there is no way the team could possibly win the game/series/etc. Examples: anybody who is still a Tigers fan, anyone who went to game 7 of the 1986 world series to root for the Red Sox. Does not include a single New York Yankees or Atlanta Braves fan.

2) The turncoat. Typified by a friend who I will not identify. This person is a Yankees fan. During a recent game when the Yanks were tied 1-1 he was screaming about how they suck, were going to screw up, don't do anything right. Sample quote: "go ahead! strike out! I know you're going to anyway!" When the player struck out, the TV was turned off and the game ignored...until he learned the Yankees had taken the lead. Game went back on, he started jumping and dancing, loving those same players who earlier could do no right.

3) The "only-when-they win". Simlar to #2 above, but with more lasting switches in allegience. This type of fan seems always to root for the world series winners. Alternate definition: fans that come out of the woodwork when their home city's team is doing well.

4) The "why-do-dose-bums-always-do this-to-me". Includes fans of the Boston Red Sox. This breed of fan has an intense love for their team, no matter what the circumstances, and feels personally and deeply hurt and saddened when the team loses, as it often does. When the team wins, however, this is the fan you want to have around as they have been through the most. Shares the need to watch even the worst with type #1 above.

SO that's my imperfect theory thus far. I'll add more as they are suggested.
- posted by Heidi @ 8:36 AM