Bandwagon Fans and True Loyalties in Sports
In a reflection on fandom, the writer critiques bandwagon fans who switch teams for success while cherishing lifelong loyalty. They recall era shifts from local devotion to broader market-driven allegiances, noting legendary players and franchise turns, and confess a personal pull to stay hopeful with favorite teams despite fickle wins. Joey Sprinkle, assistant sports editor, may be e-mailed at jsprinkle gctelegram.com
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York Yankees
Los Angeles Lakers
Oakland Raiders
Kansas
Duke
George Brett
Frank White
Kansas City Baseball
Paul Molitor
Robin Yount
Milwaukee Brewers
Tony Gwynn
San Diego Padres
Oakland Athletics
A's
Athletics
McGwire
Canseco
Red Sox
Johnny Damon
Joey Sprinkle
Al Unser Jr announces retirement from open-wheel racing
Al Unser Jr. retires after 21 seasons citing loss of fun and a desire to focus on family. The two time Indy 500 winner and 1990s CART champion will become an adviser to Patrick Racing and a driving mentor for his son, with his last race weekend at Kansas City Indy 300.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolis
al Unser Jr
Unser
Patrick Racing
Kansas City
Kan
A.E
Pat” Patrick
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indy
IRL
Michael Andretti
Albuquerque
N.M
Sharapova Reaches Wimbledon Final At 17
Russian teenager Maria Sharapova rallied from a set down and 3-1 in the second to upset Lindsay Davenport 2-6 7-6 6-1, becoming the first Russian woman in Wimbledon final since 1974. She will face the winner of Williams Mauresmo in Saturday’s final.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wimbledon
England
Maria Sharapova
Lindsay Davenport
Sharapova
Davenport
Olga Morozova
Serena Williams
Amelie Mauresmo
Love
Centre Court
Roger Federer
Andy Roddick
Federer
Roddick
Mark Philippoussis
Walker collects 2 000th hit as Rockies fall to Brewers
Larry Walker notches his 2,000th career hit becoming the 234th and first Canadian to reach the milestone. Ben Sheets earns the win for Milwaukee, aided by Chad Moeller’s three hits and a five-run burst. Todd Helton ends Colorado’s homerless streak with his 14th of the season.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walker
Rockies
Brewers
Denver
Ben Sheets
Milwaukee Brewers
Colorado Rockies
Sheets
Tom Glavine
Chad Moeller
Junior Spivey
Montreal
Todd Helton
Colorado
Coors Field
Larry Walker
Jeremy Burnitz
Orioles crush Royals as Mottola HR caps 13-4 rout
Baltimore's Chad Mottola belted a 419 foot three run homer off Brian Anderson after a late call up, powering the Orioles to a 13-4 victory over Kansas City. Javy Lopez went 4 for 4 with three runs as Miguel Tejada and David Newhan also homered, while Daniel Cabrera earned the win. Royals pitcher Anderson dropped to 1-8 after allowing seven runs, three earned, in seven innings. Kelly Stinnett underwent successful Tommy John surgery and will miss the season.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas City
Triple-A
Chad Mottola
Brian Anderson
Baltimore Orioles
Kansas City Royals
Miguel Tejada
David Newhan
Brian Roberts
Orioles
Javy Lopez
Melvin Mora
Jerry Hairston
Daniel Cabrera
Atlanta
Cabrera
Royals
Ken Harvey
David DeJesus
Tony Graffanino
Anderson
Tony Pena
Kelly Stinnett
Also Mentioned on This Page
Garden City Telegram
Mike Sweeney
Jeremy Affeldt
Mike MacDougal
Jimmy Gobble
Zack Greinke
Dan Glass
Allard Baird
al Unser Sr
Sebastian Grosjean
Mario Ancic
Goran Ivanisevic
Lleyton Hewitt
Hewitt
Sjeng Schalken
Pete Sampras
Ancie
Tim Henman
Fred Perry
All England
Russia
O’s
CIT Royals
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