Time To Step It Up, Baseball Fans

Go the extra mile and show your support with your own checkered past

Though some would suggest that the ideal place to watch the MLB All-Star Game is in the comfort of your own home, I ventured out to a bar to ingest the game and some alcohol, which actually put me at less of a risk of vomiting since Joe Buck’s voice couldn’t be heard.  In the end, I’m glad I went out because I witnessed the future of fandom.  For years, kids and people who are old enough to know better have been wearing jerseys, or T-shirts that look like jerseys, to represent their favorite teams and players.  At first, most people were stuck wearing mass produced knock-offs, but that evolved into the hardcore fans buying up authentic MLB uniforms.  You had to know that it would evolve again and get even more authentic, but it remained a question of how to move up.  Maybe wearing an actual, game-worn jersey?  Sure, knowing your pits are sweating in the same place as your hero’s once did is great and all, but it’s not for everyone.  No, I’ve witnessed the evolution of the fan and we’ve moved way beyond a simple article of clothing. 

Watching the All-Star Game mere feet from me was the future.  A man wearing a Texas Rangers Michael Young jersey.  It wasn’t about the jersey, however.  He was also sporting an arm full of tattoos.  Josh Hamilton-style tats.  This new trend is only in its infancy, so you’ll have to forgive the pioneers who experiment with it.  On the one hand, this trailblazer had discovered a way to cheer for two players at once, but on the other, he looked like a man with two contrasting ideals.  I think as this look progresses, we’ll see more fans embrace the true essence of their favorite player as they pay homage to him. 

For the Josh Hamilton fan, two arms full of poorly thought out ink is an easy way to show your support. 

Or maybe you are a Prince Fielder guy.  Simply spend the off-season putting on weight but only eat vegetables when you’re in public. 

If you love Manny, stop washing your hair.  If you love A-Rod, get highlights and be a giant douche.  If you want to take steroids, more power to you.  But, I should mention if you’re a huge A-Rod fan, kill yourself. 

If it’s Big Papi you follow, start sucking at your job, but occasionally give your co-workers hope that you haven’t completely lost it. 

The possibilities are endless.  The beauty of the idea is that you, the fan, should know better than anyone how to capture the defining qualities of your favorite player.  That’s why I’m such a disappointment after showing great promise early on, I love Ken Griffey Jr. 

And I know the ladies are feeling a little left out by this new style.  Sorry, but no one wants to see you rocking Ryan Franklin’s facial hair.  Instead, just think about your favorite female athlete or celeb and emulate them.  Hopefully it’s Gina Carano, Maria Sharapova, Jennie Finch, Jessica Alba or Megan Fox.  That’s something we can all enjoy.

Tags: All-Star, baseball, Josh Hamilton, MLB, Texas Rangers

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