Defining Fans

January 25, 2008

My XM radio is pretty much permanently set on Ethel 47 when I’m not listening to games. Since the radio comes with this nice display (that still works!), I am now more aware of song titles and artists than I ever was. Classics – I can recognize and sing the tunes, but I embarrass my dad when I have no clue who recorded a song or even what the title is! That’s how I first noticed the song “Fans” by Kings of Leon. Fans. Not only did I like the groovy music, but the title intrigued me. I also noticed there were some good instrumental parts, so I downloaded the mp3 for use in upcoming vodcasts. I was sure the song must have something to do with being a fan or dealing with fans and thought maybe the brilliant artist would give me some insight, pretty sure it had nothing to do with cooling devices. I went in search of the lyrics. Yeah, not so much on fandom or twirling air movers (but I still plan on using the instrumental parts I cut). The word ‘fans’ isn’t even in the song!

Hmmm… so I assume all readers here also read Capitol Punishment. I’m not naive enough to believe I still have readers who only come here as their only source of Nats news (and if you do, sorry, there are some topics I’ve skipped because they were widely covered elsewhere!). So you’ve all seen Chris’s post pointing out the King Kaufman interview with Will Leitch of Deadspin (follow all that?). Chris doesn’t state any opinions — just posts an excerpt from the end of the interview. But I get it. I think he gets Leitch’s perspective. I don’t, really, and I’m sure there is a wide ranging spectrum of what people feel it is to be a fan and express that in order to feel a connection with the team or players they love. Some wave rubber chickens at games. Some wear goofy t-shirts. Some line up for autographs while the player stands looking bewildered at the sea of sharp pointy things aimed at him. Some snap photographs and proudly hand folders of pictures taken to the players on the printouts. It’s what they do. It’s how they express themselves and how they connect with a team and its players. Not everyone can understand that, I suppose.

Despite having a differing opinion from Leitch, I did buy his God Save the Fan book and am saving it for my upcoming loooong flight. Initially, I set out to rebut Leitch’s take and sit down to write why some fans do like to collect memorabilia since it seems foreign to him, but I became roadblocked. Defining fandom is darn near impossible and unique for every person. It’s also not static, but ebbs and flows in its expression over time. I have to wonder, has Mr. Leitch ever been a fan of a band member? Actor or actress? And he’s never wanted to meet them? Get some memento to cherish? Mr. Chatter came up with the perfect solution — the Fandom Spray Chart (artwork by me).

[Click to view larger]

See, it’s kind of a sliding scale. On the vertical side you have where the fan values the players – as objects or as humans. Do you see the players’ OBP, OPS, VORP, and SLG (or ERA, ERA+, SO, yadda yadda) and only care about that? Or do you see the players’ character elements and quirks? Do you care to pay attention to his struggles, foibles, and accomplishments and take pride that he achieved goals? Across the horizontal is the value placement from team to players. So Will Leitch, by his own admission, values the team and sees players as ethereal objects and that’s how he cherishes his connection, so he gets a circle in the lower left. The kissing bandit, however, kisses random players but still sees them as objects (I’m assuming), so she’s on the lower right. Me, I’m somewhere in the middle valuing both the team and the players and seeing them as humans (while of course preferring the statsy numbers and decimals are complimentary), so mine is about middle horizontally and up near the top “human” extreme. I mean, these guys aren’t just numbers. They’re husbands, daddies, sons, brothers, friends. This is the career path they’re on, just like your neighbor is a lawyer (seriously, everyone has a lawyer neighbor around here), but despite that, you still might like him and get to know him. Does being an athlete as a career make them untouchable and inhuman? In my mind, no. Sure, they play a game to entertain us, but I could watch a randomized video game if that’s all it took. Some people just see and connect to the human element. That’s why Fick had fans. Nook Logan had fans (like my son who was quite disappointed when I just informed him Nook is no longer on the team).

Others are fiercely loyal to the team and would throw out the struggling players without blinking if the numbers don’t stack up. Or, say the team signs someone who on paper appears to be extremely troubled and high-risk, but hey, he’s got potential, while the ‘human element’ fans are distraught and can’t imagine rooting for such a player. The ‘team’ fans don’t care to have player memorabilia – give them a blank jersey or team-logoed t-shirt and baseball cap. Hand them a winning record. Give them numbers to play with, stats, and facts. Yet, they feel just as connected and loyal – just to the team, not the players.

There should probably be another scale for self-absorption, but it didn’t fit in to the graphic neatly.

So where would you put yourself on the chart? If I didn’t struggle with Mr. Chatter’s left-handed mouse, I would have added a map grid with the alphabet across the top and numbers down the side to make it easier – so just visualize it! Fandom isn’t easily compartmentalized or defined, but means a lot to all who claim to be a member. I guess it’s all in where the value lies for the individual.

Posted in Baseball - General, MLB, Washington Nationals