Long distance fans unite!

I woke up Monday morning to the news that public enemy number one, Osama bin Laden, had been killed by a group of Navy SEALs. I met this news with rejoice and a feeling of accomplishment. I know personally, bin Laden played a hand in the reasons I joined the Army, which is the primary reason I am now in Washington, D.C. and not Chicago. The men and women of the United States military stepped up on Sept. 11, 2001 and declared that America will not be pushed around. Seemingly overnight, these civilians became servicemembers and dedicated a part of their lives to tracking down this horrible human being.

Some of the best long distance fans I know are serving around the world. They don't bat an eyelash when they have to wake up at odd hours of the night just to watch their hometown team. To them, it's more than a team. Seeing their team halfway across the world reminds them of why they are fighting. Sports can transport a person back to where they came from. It reminds them there are people and things out there that can resume because of the brave duties they perform day in and day out.

Sports have always had a link to the military, and service men and women were some of the first long distance fans. Whether braving the cold in the Battle of the Bulge, or trekking through the jungles of Vietnam, servicemembers have always kept tabs on their favorite teams because it reminded them that, despite their current situation, things will always get better. Sports teams have always made a great effort to recognize the honor and sacrifice of our military men and women. Ironically, the Washington Nationals had a military appreciation night on Monday and teams around the country waved the American flag in a proud fashion. One of the best things I witnessed was footage of the news breaking during the Sunday night baseball game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. As President Obama announced the death of bin Laden, people in the stands saw on their cell phones the breaking news. Chants of “USA! USA! USA!” began to fill the stadium. As I saw the replays of this on the news, I couldn’t help but think about how proud I was to serve with so many courageous and heroic people while in the Army. This is what made being a long distance fan well worth it.

This blog is dedicated to a good friend of mine who lost his life while serving in the Army while deployed to Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Adam Dickmyer served as a role model and good friend to me and my peers before tragically losing his life to protect our freedoms we enjoy every day.

The secret to enjoying wine and sports

Today I had the opportunity to partake in two of my favorite activities: wine and White Sox. Meg and I went to the Great Grapes Wine festival in Reston, Va. The festival was all you can drink at wine tastings featuring wines from all over Virginia. I was in heaven. Coincidentally, the White Sox were playing that day during the hours we were going to be at the festival. As I started to get ready for the big day, I thought if there was a way I could both enjoy these great wines all while taking in my beloved White Sox. I had several options, all of which surrounded around my iPhone. I knew I could check scores, but I also wanted to listen to the live broadcast. So I packed my headphones and took off to the festival. We met Meg's sister there and her new boyfriend (who of course had no interest in Chicago baseball). When I explained I was going to put in one of my headphones in my ear for a few hours I was met with confusion. I can get the game's radio broadcast on my phone via the MLB At-Bat App and had all intentions of listening to the game.

I talked with my grandpa later that night and explained how I listened to the game on my cell phone. Needless to say, he was flabbergasted. Never in his life did he imagine people could listen to radio broadcasts on a cell phone. He told me most times he would have to wait for the next day's newspaper to find out scores. This made me really appreciate the times we live in. Never before have scores and live broadcasts been more accessible to fans. It's technology like this that make it easier to be a long distance fan.

Dilemma - Surprise party or baseball?

On Saturday I was faced with a situation in which I'm sure many sports fans encounter. Do I watch the rest of my game or attend the surprise party I promised I'd go to? Let me set up the situation...

The White Sox were playing the Baltimore Orioles Saturday and was one of the few chances I get annually to watch my beloved Sox on TV. The problem was, that my wife made plans to invite some friends over for light appetizers before heading to a surprise party for one of our friends. People were coming over at 7:00 p.m., and the game started at 7:00 p.m. Decisions decisions. Well marriage is all about compromise, right? I agreed to prepare the appetizers, so long as I could watch the game. The catch? It had to be on silent. I think that was a fair trade. As our friends began to arrive, I donned my White Sox jersey, put on some music, and the White Sox game. No one was watching the game except for me, and that's fine. I watch for my own personal experiences. It would be enjoyable to watch with other fans, but I'll take what I can get.

Watching games, whether alone or with friends, provides a release for me. I don't have to think about much, just watching the teams I love. Sometimes it takes me back to my childhood, watching games with my dad and I realize those can be the memories I really cherish. It wasn't about the team we were watching, it was about the bond we shared. Being a long distance fan doesn't always allow for me to form that bond with many people, but it makes it all the more special when I do. I found a fellow Chicago fan that lives right down the street. Ironically, he was even from the same town I'm from. There was an immediate bond, and sports serve as the catalyst for our friendship.

I'm sure all long distance fans can relate. It seems as though you could go your whole day without noticing someone walking down the street, but if you bump into someone wearing the same team as you, there is an immediate recognition and a tip of the cap. If you run into them at the bar, there almost is an immediate friendship. Sports serves as more than just entertainment. It can create the glue that can bond a friendship for life.