Jeez - it's just a GAME!

VS.

Okay - seriously? It's just a game :)

I had the marvelous opportunity to go to the NY Mets game yesterday. The weather was perfect, we had amazing seats (right behind home plate), and we felt good. I was there with some of my most favorite relatives, my cousins from Arizona. Yep, that's right - Arizona. Meaning that they were cheering for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team playing against the NY Mets.

Now, to be fair, they didn't HAVE to wear DBacks t-shirts. And, we didn't have to cheer obnoxiously loud every time the DBacks did something right. And, we didn't have to be there on the third game of the series, which the Dbacks happened to win!!

In full disclosure, I am a Chicago White Sox fan. Thus, I was totally nonpartisan at the game. However, in solidarity with my cousins, I decided to cheer for Arizona.

Then the threats began!

"Wow, are they gonna get stabbed on the subway!"

"Ma'am, that's a dangerous shirt to be wearing!"

"Turn around and don't come in!"

I mean, aren't sports there to help us escape from the stress of our lives, to create group identity, and to have fun? When did it become so verbally (and personally) violent? It's one thing to yell obscenities at the pitcher when he walks yet another batter (and I don't even approve of that). It's another to harass another fan, who is just as allowed to cheer for their team as you are to cheer for yours.

I mean, come on - it's just a game!