Why Do We Watch Our Team

[Butch7999]

Frank's insights are certainly not lost on Buffalo fans.

Larry, your season ticket costs (including parking and the length of your walk) are half of ours. And at least you've got
warm, sunny weather. Here there's already an inch to a foot of snow (Western New York weather conditions vary widely
within just any given mile or two). We've got your Jags next, after Thanksgiving, the first of four home games
between Thanksgiving and New Year's. (Thanks for the scheduling, NFL). But hope (or naivete, or sheer stupidity)
springs eternal. "Trust the Process!" And at least our Sabres are showing signs of life again (mostly despite the coach).

PS -- Nate Peterman is not nearly as awful as he's been made out to be.

[gopherfan]

As my board name suggests, I am a huge fan of Minnesota sports, especially the college team. I was born in 1970 to a couple big fans, it was passed down to me. I also like all of the professional teams in this state. Here is a list of what these teams have done for me in my 48 years on this earth. I'll start with basketball first since it is my favorite sport and paid for my college.

Gopher Basketball: 1982-Made the sweet Sixteen and lost by 6 to Louisville.
1989- Sweet Sixteen where they were blown out by Duke.
1990-Lost in the Elite Eight when Kevin Lynch missed a game winning 3-pointer to beat Georgia Tech.
1997-This was my year. We were great, dominant even. We won everywhere and beat everyone. We made the Final Four. I sat in the third row with one of my best friends. We lost to Kentucky after having a second half lead. So disappointing. And then, all game were vacated. Academic cheating scandal. We don't even have a banner. Screw Clem Haskins.

Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball: 1989-Came into existence. Drafted Pooh Richardson as their first ever draft pick (so dumb). I wanted Tim Hardaway, he was super fun to watch in college. Pooh Richardson? Boring. They have a grand total of one playoff run to the Conference finals in 29 years. One. They have a ton of bad draft picks, bad trades (Butler anyone?) bad coaches. Horrible franchise.

Gopher Football: One of the dominant teams in the country from the beginning of the 20th century until about 2 years before I was born. Since then, a string of bad teams. We haven't even won the damn Big Ten conference since before I was born. 48 years. And this will be year 49 without winning it. We have lost to our biggest rival in Wisconsin 14 straight times. P.J. Fleck seems to be a good coach, and a great recruiter. I hope that he works out.

Vikings Football: Plenty of great teams, zero Super Bowls. Enough said.

North Stars/Wild Hockey: Zero Stanley Cups. I'm not much of a hockey fan, so this doesn't bother me too much.

Minnesota Twins Baseball: Our lone bright spot. World Series Champions in both 1987 and 1991. We had a run of playoff appearances (one and done) in the 2000's. We have over 100 losses plenty of times in recent years. Our best player since Kirby Puckett just retired because of concussion issues. Our best prospects in San and Buxton seem to have a ton of trouble figuring things out at the major league level. Our owners suck. They told us we can't compete unless we have a top notch stadium. I asked at the time why they can't pay for it themselves. No owner does that anymore. Since the stadium was built we have other the worst or second worst winning percentage in the majors. Sickening.

TLDR: The Twins have to World Series titles, nobody else has done anything.

[2dueces]

Why I follow the Buffalo Bills. Born in 1956 to a city that had no major league teams at the time. Father a founding member of the Bills booster club. 1963 my first recollection of Bills Football. 2 AFL Championships followed. Outing to the Rock Pile with my dad. Excursions to Cleveland and NY City for away games. So as I live, I will be a live and die fan. I cannot see me rooting for any other team. I love football, live and breath it, hate February when it's over and count the days until September. No matter how good or how bad the Bills are they are still my team.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by 2dueces

Why I follow the Buffalo Bills. Born in 1956 to a city that had no major league teams at the time. Father a founding member of the Bills booster club. 1963 my first recollection of Bills Football. 2 AFL Championships followed. Outing to the Rock Pile with my dad. Excursions to Cleveland and NY City for away games. So as I live, I will be a live and die fan. I cannot see me rooting for any other team. I love football, live and breath it, hate February when it's over and count the days until September. No matter how good or how bad the Bills are they are still my team.

This is a good response, but raises another dilemma. If one lived equidistant from Buffalo and Cleveland, would the Browns or the Bills garner their die hard loyalty.

And before some wise guy responds with “Go to Pittsburgh”, I will.

[JustinD]

Die hard Detroit Lions fan.

*sigh*

[dabigyankeeman]

Amazes me how many people love and root for underdogs. I guess growing up in New York in the 50's as a Yankees fan I am the opposite, I love to root for the dynasties in sports. I am really impressed by teams who continue to be great for long periods of time. Even when they beat my team, such as how the Bulls prevented the Knicks many years from winning it all. I love the Knicks, but always liked and respected the incredible Bulls. Only the Pats I dont like, I guess as a Yankee fan I am programmed to dislike teams from the Boston area!! And how great it was to see the New York Giants beat them a couple of times in the Superbowl!!!!!!

I love all New York City teams, I dont hate some like most NY fans who say love the Mets and hate the Yankees, love the Giants and hate the Jets, etc. To me, they are all home teams to me, so I root for all of them to do well. Of course i have my favorites, i like the Yankees/Giants/Knicks/Rangers best, and of all NY teams in all sports, i live and die for the Yankees. My dad instilled that in my head when i was a young kid. He told me he would sit me in front of the little black and white tv and tell me those are the Yankees, you like the Yankees, and so on. He brainwashed me!!! But i am glad he did!!!!