All I ask of a sports fan is that they know what they are talking about and can express that opinion without getting red in the face. Now that never seemed too much for me to ask for, until I came to school at Buffalo and found out exactly what a New York City fan is.
Now I don't want to insinuate that New Yorkers don't know their stuff when it comes to sports. They are some of the most knowledgeable and passionate around and I couldn't respect that more.
What I can't get over is their lack of respect, not only for sports in Buffalo, but also for anything outside the five boroughs and that big island. We will even include northern New Jersey, proud home to the Nets, Jets and Giants.
Pure frustration is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of my experiences talking sports with a New Yorker. Excuse me. When I am being talked at by a New Yorker.
Too often I have left sports-related discussions with New Yorkers because I simply couldn't hear myself think or because I was unable to get a word in.
But just because most are ridiculous to listen to, does not mean there aren't a few New York fans who can speak without their heads exploding. They are just few and far between.
Let me give you a relevant example of what I mean.
The New York Rangers climbed up from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to make the playoffs as a six seed. Guess that means they are already champs. Cancel the rest of the playoffs now. All of a sudden all those teams who were so much better than them during the regular season are insignificant. If you listen to enough of these guys, you might actually start believing this kind of thing.
Whether or not you are of this opinion, the NHL playoffs just started and a lot can still happen. Last week on WRUB radio, I picked the Rangers to beat Atlanta in six games. I even believe the Rangers would have a great chance of beating Ottawa and Pittsburgh. But not Buffalo. Heck, not even New Jersey.
The Rangers simply can't skate with Buffalo in a seven game series. I know Lundqvist has been amazing the second half of the season, but he isn't Marty Brodeur. Speaking of which, Marty and the Devils would also shut down the Rangers in a seven game series. Not in a four game sweep in which they allow the Rangers only four goals the whole series, but something along those lines. Please, don't take my word for it though.
In doing research on the subject, I consulted three die-hard New York sports fans to find out their thoughts on how good the Rangers really are. Unfortunately, two are from the Binghamton area and one if from Long Island, so their words weren't in the true spirit of the New Yorker.
However, each told me the same thing, without too much screaming and spitting in my face: "The Sabres have just too much scoring and too many good lines."
They also went on to inform me that the Devils would be able to feast upon their beloved Broadway Blue.
Lucky for all of us the hockey playoffs are in full swing and with a little luck the Sabres and Rangers will face off in an amazing seven game battle and end all this yelling and bickering.
Jagr will be there ready to whine like no one else in the league can and someone with a weird accent will yell obscenities at me at some point in the series. A moose will be mentioned and someone will tell me Rick Jeanerette stinks. It's always the same thing really.
Unfortunately, most of those Jeanerette bashers don't take into account the fact that he is by far the best radio play by play man in the business and one of the most exciting announcers in sports. As much as I would love for Sam and Joe to put me to sleep before the first period is over, I'll stick with the guy who keeps me excited.
Before everyone decides to hunt me down for saying all this, I want to revert back to my first point. New York fans are some of the best in world when it comes to loyalty and following their team. I can never argue that.
All I can do is request that I am given earplugs before you loudly explain something to me.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
