What It Means To Be A Fan

You don't become a sportscaster unless you're a sports fan. However, once you put on that headset and start broadcasting games for a living, you cease to be a true fan, especially as you move up the ranks.

Don't let us sportscasters fool you; no matter how much some of us scream, holler and root for the team we cover, we're not fans. We may still have rooting interests, but our relationship with sports and the athletes who play them is different from yours.

The last three seasons, I have been fortunate enough to call games for the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets, a team I have followed for about as long as I can remember. It's been pretty neat to be able to steal a glimpse into the inner workings of the Mets' farm system. That glimpse has changed my views of the Mets in particular and Major League Baseball in general.

Mind you, I'm not trying to brag. I recognize that, while I may be closer than most to The Show, I'm still quite far away. Nevertheless, my job has given me a chance to learn things about athletes and coaches that not even the most avid, most informed fan could ever learn. This perspective changes how you follow the game. More than anything, it makes you more of a fan of the game as opposed to a fan of any one team.

For example, I find myself rooting more for specific individuals than for teams. A former manager is now a coach with Baltimore so, whenever the Orioles are successful, I think of him. Several players I've covered are with the Florida Marlins and, even if they do damage against the Mets, I'm happy for them. This principle applies even for opposing players. During my time in Binghamton, I've also seen Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Verlander and Asdrubal Cabrera, all of whom I root for at the Major League level as well.

I also call women's college basketball which has also changed my view of college sports, albeit to a lesser extent. I still root mostly for my alma mater Syracuse but, more than ever before, I root for great players and well-coached teams.

However, things are different when it comes to the New York Giants.

Life is funny sometimes. Growing up, my interest in the Giants ranked a distant third out of the three pro sports teams I followed, behind the Mets and Knicks (while I followed college basketball and football growing up, I didn't really have a favorite team until I enrolled at Syracuse).

The tide began to turn in 1997 when I started college. Without a television, let alone cable, in my dorm room, it became harder to keep up with the Mets and Knicks. I was also pretty busy doing college-student things so, even if I had a television, it would've been difficult to follow those teams anyway. However, most of the Giants games were aired on local channels in Syracuse and Sunday was the one day I was usually idle, so I was able to follow Big Blue with ease. I just had to make sure I got to the television in the common area on my floor early enough.

The conversion was complete during my two-year stay in Kalamazoo, Michigan. My interest in the Mets and Knicks continued to wane, but I was at a bar every week to watch the Giants. Moving to Binghamton and working for one of their affiliates renewed my interest in the Mets who, like the Knicks, I can now watch on television. However, I'm so busy with work that I miss the vast majority of those team's games. But, I rarely miss the Giants' exploits.

That's part of the reason the Giants' run to the Super Bowl has been so special for me. I've seen at least part of every game but one this season (I missed their unfortunate shellacking at the hands of the Vikings). With each passing week, as the wins continued to pile up, my passion for them grew. I found myself on the edge of my seat when Eli Manning led the troops into the red zone and, when an enemy offense is knocking on the doorstep, I start wringing my hands, hoping for a timely turnover or demoralizing sack.

When Lawrence Tynes' field goal sailed through the uprights in overtime against the Packers last week and sent the Giants to the Super Bowl, it brought me a level of joy I've never felt for a sports team. I was running, jumping and screaming in my apartment, nearly hitting my head on the ceiling. Within a few minutes, I was hoarse. Even once I settled down, I was so excited, I barely heard any of the Giants' celebratory post-game remarks. I don't really remember the Halas Trophy presentation.

What I will always remember is how this year's Giants team reminded me what it's like to be a fan again. And as much as I love working as a sportscaster, it's positively delightful to be back on the other side of the fence, at least for a little while.