Fans of the Ancient Mariner

“The pleasure of rooting for Goliath is that you can expect to win. The pleasure of rooting for David is that, while you don’t know what to expect, you stand at least a chance of being inspired.”  Michael Lewis, Moneyball: The Art of Winning and Unfair Game

           

One of the central themes of the book quoted above is that of assigning value.  Value to teams and players specifically, but the ideas can definitely be applied in all areas of life.  As a fan of the Steelers and a fan of the Seattle Mariners, I have the opportunity to see these ideas from David’s view, as well as Goliath’s.

Being a Mariner’s fan is a bit like being in a bad relationship.  One where all your friends and family hate your girlfriend, and can’t understand what the hell you are doing with her.   A relationship where you seldom see any sign from your partner than anything other than heartbreak will come of it.  However, when you see the smallest glimmer of hope, you trudge on.

You believe that this will be the time it will work out.  That glimmer of hope is the same as every Mariner fan feels every year, despite the overwhelming evidence that this season will likely be very much the same as all the previous seasons.

The M’s are one of only two teams that have never played in a World Series.  I was given a DVD set of the 4 essential games in team history.  All four games had one thing in common:  they didn’t propel them on to ultimate victory.  When you are a Mariner fan, you have to learn to take what you can get!

And through it all, I remain a fan.  I go through the roster every spring and pick out what I feel will be strengths and weaknesses.   I try to honestly assess how I think they will do, and usually allow my heart to get out in front of my head.   I gain a little hope with every winning streak to start the season, and eventually am left with the ever popular refrain:

“Wait til’ next Season!”

            The truth is that all but one team will always be singing that song.  Mariner’s fans are no different than most others in that respect.  Along the way, true fans just hope to see something special. 

We want to see our team work hard and compete. 

We want to be in the crowd with all of our fellow fans.

Watching the game we once played as kids. 

Watching the game we once watched with our Dad.

We want to be inspired.

We just want to hope that, every once in a while, David will have his day in the sun.