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Sport's Great Myth: Fans Really Matter
June 3, 2008
Orlando Sentinel
By Jerry Greene
COMMENTARY FROM THE CHEAP SEATS
No, Virginia, I'm not going to tell you that Santa Claus is a myth, because I do believe in Santa. But what I don't believe is the myth of fans being "the Sixth Man" or "the 12th Man" or any mythical Man. Fans pay the bills but they do not win or lose the games (not counting Steve Bartman).
You disagree? You think your cheering really is the cause of a "home-field" or "home-court" advantage?
Anybody remember the Orlando Magic?
When they won 27 road games (two more than at home) during the regular season, you weren't there. And when they lost at home in the playoffs, you were there but couldn't stop it. Are you taking the blame?
"Golly, Martha, we were off our game against the Pistons. For some reason, all of us in the crowd were flat."
Stop it, please.
How about football? FSU, for example, has had as many screaming and arm-waving fans in recent bad games as they did in the glory years. Or when the Gators lost in the Swamp to Auburn last season, do you blame the fans for a lousy chomp?
How about baseball?
Last week after drawing an announced crowd of 10,927 inside "the Trop," Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon said: "Having fans in this place will make a difference."
Two words about that:
Hog and Wash.
Just look at the Rays. Well, no, you don't really want to look. You've proven that. But think about them for a moment.
They have the best record in the American League and second best in the Bigs behind the Cubbies. They also have the most home victories in the American (24-10) and second best overall, again trailing only the Cubs (26-8). They have won 20 of their last 23 home games -- and they are doing it without your help.
You don't deserve the blame for a loss -- and you don't deserve the credit for a win. Yes, overall, there is truth in a general "home field advantage," but it's not because of fans.
There's travel. There's also the territorial nature of teams. You know how cats mark their territory? Teams do that, too -- although hopefully in a more metaphorical sense.
And when the Magic play again, you can pound those Thundersticks until you pass out, but you're not changing the outcome. You'd be a bigger help providing Dwight Howard with free-throw shooting tips.
Still, it's a harmless myth, so believe it if it makes you feel better.
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