Finding your number - deaduck's Blog

deaduck's Blog

Finding your number

Posted on March 19, 2009 at 10:31 AM.

(1)

Somewhere in some doctor's lab, I'm sure they are trying to form a scientific equation that evaluates the degree in which sports are involved in an individual's life.

It'll probably be a simple numberic code.

The hard fact is those doctors are being paid by the major sports leagues to create a visual and clear representation of just how badly we're doing as fans and to push us to improve (i.e. spend money and more time on their product).

The neighborhood sports bar is filled with 6's and 7's spouting stats and arguing strategy. While you a lowly 3, quietly rooting for Chicago because when you were just a tot, it was your Dad's favorite team. The Bear's block a game tying field goal attempt but you feel the sting of peer pressure and just nod instead of cheer.

You begin investing in magazines, scouring the web...your tivo cache is devoted to The NFL channel and ESPN. You go from a 3 who likes the orange jerseys to a crazed 9 who can break down a given quarterback's tendencies in cold weather away games on a monday night following a loss and a bye week.

But along the way...does knowledge dull passion?

Is a mind built on statistical probabilities even engaged on that same FG attempt in that crowded bar? Is hope an afterthought to numbers?

Is there a turning back point? Can you learn to let go off the minutiae and just root for a team?

Comments

# 1 BrnwsBucksFanNC @ Apr 2

I think you are so right. But for those of us who thrive on the numbers...the probabilities and the statistics...I think the desire to win goes to a different level. I think we want to see our predictions...our "data driven rantings" be proven correct. I want my team to win...I want to be right when I say that "based on our tendencies in the last 3 years in this 3rd and long...on the left hash mark...on our side of the field...we are going to split out the wr...stack the backfield and run a naked bootleg to the weak side of the field, throw across the field and break a big one" Having my data has not changed the way I support my team...but sometimes it changes what I am rooting for.