… around these parts is that the Diamond Dogs won! What? Oh the College World Series. See? Congratulations to the team. They deserve all the kudos for it.
Though with all the carrying on around these parts of late one would think they were the darlings of sports fans in this city forever. Truth be told they were grossly under appreciated with lackluster attendance at their games until this win. Yeah, I risk alienating some of my sport fan friends by saying that… but it happens to be true. So… a big congratulations to the boys for their hard work and “come from behind underdog” win. The victory belongs to you and you alone.
As this was unfolding there was a lot of talk about gaining “national attention” and “respect” and “city pride”. Nothing wrong with any of that except that the last two seem to be all dependent on the first. That is and has been the tragic flaw in attitude in a city that has a lot to be proud about. Admittedly some of that “wait-and-see” attitude is changing… but gosh darn a lot more pride and support can be shown to so much more that is happening here. Sure, it is not as sexy as national recognition but are we so dependent on that for our esteem?
One can only hope that this “boost in self esteem” will contribute to a shift in attitude. Only time and action will tell. In the meantime…at the celebrations this evening when the boys return… pat them on the back and help THEM CELEBRATE THEIR WIN. Then look around at some of the other cool things that are happening in your own backyard and go out and celebrate those as well. Because true pride and respect is cultivated from within.
Have a great Thursday.
Solitaire
June 26, 2008 at 8:57 am
HERE HERE! I might have been one of your sports fans that might have taken this wrong… but I absolutely agree with you! This is their win… and Sugar Bear’s win (the loudest man in the stands at every single game who also travels with the team)… I had season tickets for one season and I had a blast going to games. It was great. I’m thrilled for the organization, I’m thrilled for the die hard fans, and I’m thrilled for the people of Fresno that don’t get it… they now have something to be proud of and maybe their rose colored glasses will help them see how truly cool our little town is.
Beehive
June 26, 2008 at 11:26 am
(this post quoted in…) OK, Fresno, let’s not get too carried away …
lime
June 26, 2008 at 11:53 am
well congrats to the diamond dogs!
Zonthar
June 26, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Why would saying the team was underappreciated and their games underattended offend any fans? My guess is that Bulldog fans would agree with you- you complimented the team and pointed out more people should have been at the games!
Cosima
June 26, 2008 at 9:02 pm
First of all congrats to Diamond Dogs, and secondly I so agree on the city pride thing. If you truly know what your city has on offer and participate in it, you do not need national recognition.
It’s not a Fresno specific issue either, I grew up in a city with arguably the widest choice of cultural offerings and things to do in Germany, and still there were people who said “there is nothing exciting to do around here”. It just showed their ignorance and laziness.
APj
June 26, 2008 at 9:20 pm
POT STIRRER!!
There’s another adjective for the eulogy……
karim
June 27, 2008 at 4:42 am
Over here, we talk about the Manchester United fanclub – the joining qualifications are 1) Don’t live in Manchester 2) Never been to Manchester 3) Don’t know where Manchester is. Meaning of course, you should support your local team. Yay Bulldogs and their faithful followers! (Or in my case, that would be “Leyton F.C Forever”!)