When a team wins a championship. It seems like fans come out from every direction to claim their fandom. Some people have always been fans and may not show it much (like me and the Pirates). Some people see them winning on TV and feel like backing a winner so they become new fans.
Either way, every team who has won a championship suddenly find more people wearing their merchandise the following season. This was the case last night where the Chicago Cubs faced the Cincinnati Reds. The Great American Ball Park was inundated with Cubs colors throughout the stadium so the Reds poked a bit of fun at their NL Central rivals.
https://twitter.com/Reds/status/855649410214109184
From “White Sox fan in 2005” and “Doesn’t know who Ernie Banks is” to Thinks Bill Murray played for the Cubs” and “Thinks the goat was their old mascot,” the jokes poked a bit of fun at the Cubs new inflated fandom
Cubs fans, whether they were lifetime fans or were fans for the past few months, seemed to take the jokes in stride. There were only two middle fingers throughout the clip and that was way less than I was expecting.
I’m sure this could be done among teams in other sports. Cowboys, Steelers, Patriots and Packers for sure in the NFL. Warriors and Cavs in the NBA. Penguins in the NHL. And don’t even get me started about the Premier League.
But while Cubs fans may have been shamed for loving a successful team, just like all successful teams they have the last laugh. Sure, there are some new fans who only became fans because their team won. And they will drop off at the slightest hint of trouble. But isn’t winning a championship the thing every fan wants their team to do?
If the Reds win a World Series title, they will have their share of bandwagon fans but if you are a lifelong fan, you’re willing to live through the “you’re a bandwagon fan jokes” if it means your team lifted the trophy. Just smile, have a laugh and let them be jealous of your success.
