The Wonderful Irrationality of Sport

According to television ratings, most people throughout the country are not aware of or simply don't care that the 106th World Series is in progress.

I assure you that that is not the case in San Francisco.

Halloween has definitely come early to the City By The Bay. As anyone in the Bay Area knows, it is virtually impossible to walk on any street in San Francisco without coming across dozens of orange and black-clad Giants fans.

People with eye black, some with fake, shoe-polish-black beards, others wearing panda hats, a few sporting rally thongs. Adults with orange dyed hair, many wearing t-shirts extolling the virtues of uttering a certain profanity on live television, equating Giants baseball with torture, the pitching powers provided by a currently illegal weed, or the need to fear, get this, the beard. (Hey, it's complicated.)

And on a game-day, people really get into it!

No, these aren't the insane (though one never really knows). And, no, these aren't just fans. These are people who love their whacky ball club. People who feel a connection to, an affinity with a group of baseball players they've likely never met and likely never will. On all other occasions, these are clear-thinking, rational people who have gone over the edge, gone completely ga-ga, for a sports team that has captured their heart.

It's better than that, actually. Somehow, someway, these people are part of this team. Not an extension of it. An actual part of it.

You hear it all around town: 'We can hit this pitcher.' 'When we play solid baseball, we win.' 'We've got these guys.' 'We can win this thing.'

With a strong emphasis on we.

Which, of course, is the essence -- and the irrationality -- of being a true fan. Caring deeply about your team and, inexplicably, feeling as if you are part of it.

Irrational, to be sure. Somehow like renaming a street in nearby Palo Alto after one of the players, decorating our train stations in orange and black, or bathing San Francisco's City Hall -- and a half dozen other buildings around town -- in orange lights.

Irrational, sure. And wonderful.

For there is simply nothing as exciting, as inclusive, as unifying as a sports team going deep into the playoffs. Scoff if you must, but what other event has a similar effect on a population? Where so many have so much in common and are so willing to share it. Where perfect strangers can and do strike up a conversation or simply high-five each other. Where civility -- holding doors being just one of many examples -- especially to fellow fans is widespread. Where people are happy. And where a passion brings together an entire community, fan and non-fan alike.

Scoff if you must, but this is the magic of sport. And if you're lucky enough to live in the Bay Area you know exactly of what I speak.

Coincidentally, the Giants marketing department used 'It's magic inside' (the ballpark) to promote this year's team. Clearly, the slogan is only partially correct. This year, it's simply magic.

We even have a song. And, at very long last, a World Championship.

Giants!