Why do we do this to ourselves?!

I’m talking about sports fandom. The thing most likely to make you cry tears of joy one day, and snap the leg off your coffee table the next. There’s an indescribable bond we have with our teams and our fandom. Even in the bad times, there’s an odd comfort in the fact that the team will still be there, playing an objectively bad version of their sport and breaking your heart.

So, again, I ask ya, why do we do this to ourselves?!

Is it because fandom creates a culture? You don’t get the surrender cobra, or guys wearing replica championship belts while dressed up as Macho Man, or Taylor Swift friendship bracelets without fandom.

Is it because fandom creates community? Suffering with a fellow fan makes the feeling of breaking a curse and winning a championship that much sweeter. Arguing with that same fan over the direction your team took at the trade deadline can also be fun. It’s like a lower stakes thanksgiving dinner argument with your uncle.

Is it because we can measure time with fandom? You may not remember the vacation you took in 2012, but you probably remember your favorite baseball team’s backup catcher. Once you revisit that name, the rest of the details about the year fall into place.

To figure all of this out, I’m bringing in the guys who literally WROTE THE BOOK on fandom, Mike Schur and Joe Posnanski.

This episode was funny, enlightening and, I think, got me a little closer to understanding WHY WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES!

Welcome to Episode 003 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

I loved reading BIG FAN. (And since I also got it on audio book, I loved having it read to me!) , Make sure to buy BIG FAN wherever you buy your books https://sites.prh.com/bigfan

(This reminds me… Back in the old days, I started a book club at PTI, The Stat Boy Judge Books By Their Cover Book of the Month Club. I came out strong recommending BATTLE ROYALE, by Koushun Takami, a book I judged by its cover! It worked, tremendous book. Not all covers are judge worthy, but man, that one was. Anyways, I lost Wilbon and Kornheiser immediately with that one but endeavor to try again with you. Expect recommendations of books, shows and multimedia on REAL DEAL.

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