Maintaining be-Leaf!
Here’s an old joke: Q. Why can’t Hamilton have a pro hockey team? A. Because then Toronto would want one too!
Maple Leaf fans are a hardy breed of folk. I stand back and watch them with wonder. The team is having a pretty lousy year by any definition and there are a lot of long faces in Leaf-land. Some of the longest among them work at 680News and the FAN 590. Every morning they discuss what needs to be done to make the team a winner. Lately the talk has been about just blowing up the line-up and starting fresh. That’s drastic!
You either understand fandom or you don’t. I’m afraid I don’t! That doesn’t mean I judge or look down upon fans, not at all. I just can’t get on board with them. And I mean fans of just about anything.
I like the Maple Leafs, truly I do, and I would love for them to bring home the Cup, I really would. But if they have a crummy season it doesn’t have any effect on my psyche! I’m not invested in them, like a true fan would be.
I realize my standoffish perspective puts me in the minority in this hockey crazed city. So while we watch the Leafs unfortunately linger near the basement this season, all I can say to my rabid-fan friends and colleagues is the same old cliche - there’s always next year!
January 21st, 2008 at 9:37 am
Somehow I feel relieved knowing that I can now join others in admitting that ” I am not part of FANDOM ” I can stand apart and not be disassociated with humanity. I can believe that I don’t have to go where others do; namely, supporting a questionable cause, using defunct tools ! Games with teams are like as to any buisness requiring proper attendance to the players and spectators loyalty. They all need some sort of payment.The key word is sort.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Dear Lisa,
I’m on your side with your views. I’m not a big hockey fan but I’m on your side. I like the Leafs and do watch them occasionally especially when they are doing great.
“Blowing up the line-up”? The Leafs are one of the most successful franchise in the league, why would they break it up? It’s all about money unfortunately. The die hard fans do anything for their team. They go when they are down and of course when they are up and they pay ridiculously high ticker prices. I totally disagree with his. If they don’t do well don’t go and watch them, when there is no $$ coming in they will be forced to make drastic changes to bring back the fans and the $$$.
Regards,