(Fan)-atic

Many of my friends and myself could be labeled as fans.  Since I have 45 min until gametime I wanted to explain what a fan truely is...

It is no secret that the word "fan" comes from the root word "fanatic".  Websters Dictionary defines the word as: "marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion".  I think this explains clearly what it is to be a fan.  That no matter what happens or what someone else says you will love, be excited and get crazy for your team.

I was listening to Joe Beningo on the FAN radio in NY the other day and said it perfectly.  When a caller called in and said that he was sick and tired of being a fan of the Mets and Jets and said that he couldn't do it anymore, Joe scowled.  Joe explained that to be a fan is to go through these moments.  It means that no matter what happens, how much pain you go through, how many tears you might shed, you still have a love for that team.  It means that everytime you hear that team mentioned, you see that jersey, you watch a game, you get excited.  It is a feeling that runs through your body, you BLEED those colors.  The Christmas commercial where a wife gives her husband a packers jersey and he cuts his finger on the box is just perfect.  The blood is not red, but yellow and green.  

I can say that I bleed blue and orange.  As you see the colors on this blog.  If you come to my house you can find Mets sneakers, shirts, jerseys, framed pictures, can openers, stuffed animals, bobble heads, mouse pads, etc.  It is making sure that I make it to opening day each year no matter what.  It is sitting in the stadium with 50,000 plus and all cheering together.  It is walking in a strange place and seeing someone else familiar gear and giving the friendly "nod".

It is a lifetime of stories, it is not calling your best friend until two days after a tough loss because you know he needs his space, it is arguing for your team even when you don't believe.  It is bitching and moaning to fellow fans because you are nervous, but most of all, it is the feeling right before a season starts, when there is hope, and when there is expectations...and when anything is possible.  

To me this is what it means to be a fan.  We might be fanatic, and you might not understand if you are not one of us, but we will persevere no matter what....and we will be back next season!!

WHEW LETS GO GIANTS!!!!