9 to 5 Between the Lines

Once their greatest passions, are athletes starting to look at their jobs as...jobs?

Fun Fact Time!

When I was about nine years old, I played right field for Dig'm Installers at Levittown Pacific Little League. I was on the team with my little brother and some friends and it was fun to be apart of the team. We ended up winning the championship and, as a reward, the coach took us to a Phillies game (my first Phillies game that I've written about before). I thought I was pretty good and had nothing but potential to get better. It was right around this time that I read in our class "Weekly Reader" that A-Rod became the highest paid baseball player ever. He was even making more money than the president! At this point I thought to myself:

 "Hey Lil' Average Bro! I bet you could play baseball for a living!"

And that was it. I would be a pro baseball player when I grew up. Done. Deal!

I thought it through completely. Everything from the position I would play to my number was all hashed out and ready to go. But there was one thing I was concerned about.

Lil' Average Bro: Hey Mom.

Mom: Yes Average Bro.

Lil' Average Bro: Do pro baseball players have to practice every day?

Mom: Yes, definitely.

And in that moment, my dreams were dashed.

Home Team Bias

The 2008 World Series win for the Philadelphia Phillies was the greatest sports related moment in my life. Come to think of it, maybe the best non sports related moment as well. The drama, the excitement, the sight of Brad Lidge falling to his knees and Carlos Ruiz embracing him. It still gives me chills watching it to this day. But I always wonder if the Phillies were not my home team would I feel this way? If Citizens Bank Park wasn't just a short drive down 95 South, would I have felt years of losing seasons and missing the playoffs was finally worth it? If I was a Phillies fan from lets say, Kentucky, would I really have had the same feeling? I do not think I would have, but that raises this question. Is it really ok to be a fan of a non-home team?

Before I give you my answer to that question I would like to give a break down on different types of Sports fans.

Home Team Across The Board: They like every pro sports team from their home city. They hate every rival team, and display their colors proudly. The best type of fan. This one gets a thumbs up.

The Different City Allegiance Fan: They, or their parents are from a different area but their allegiance remained. My friend's father is from New York, he likes the Jets and the (please hold your laughter to the end) Mets even though he lives in the Philadelphia Area. This type of fan is totally acceptable in my book. If I were to move, my allegiance would remain with Philadelphia. This fan also gets a thumbs up.