Detroit Tigers' Jason Verlander's no-hitter Tuesday evoked cheers from passing cars during my evening jog. His feat undoubtedly exploded across the state, and the whole time I was wondering why it's such a big deal.
Every weekend in bars, fraternity houses and stadiums, millions of Americans become overjoyed, irate or depressed about droves of steroid-laden strangers sweating their way to artificial glory.
Understand that growing up, I really enjoyed watching sports. I played ice hockey until age 17 and still enjoy all sorts of athletics today.
Nowadays, I might watch a few minutes of golf or hockey on occasion, but it's only to reflect on the nostalgia of the years I spent enjoying them as a child.
My issue isn't people watching sports, but rather that they become vehemently emotional because of them.
I can't "get into it" like my fellow students, and I don't understand why people are so invested in the accomplishments of strangers.
I'm in the minority, though. In October 2001, 74,554 fans set a record for ice hockey attendance, filling Spartan Stadium to watch MSU face off against University of Michigan.
Honestly, what's so important about people showing off their abilities to combine coordination, speed and strength? Am I impressed by someone who can throw a 93 mph fastball? Yes, and I'm equally impressed by Takeru Kobayashi consuming 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes. It's impressive, but it's just fun - not something to burn a couch over.
However, when the Pistons lost the 2005 NBA championship, an acquaintance told me he wouldn't sleep that night. After the second period in the Red Wings' last playoff game, a friend of mine had to go home to bed because the "stress was too much" for her.
Thousands of people are losing their lives to genocide, and its aftereffects, in Darfur. The president is recommending paltry emissions standards and pushing new coal-to-liquid power plants that could double the global warming gases of conventional gasoline. Congressman William J. Jefferson, D-La., was recently charged with accepting more than $400,000 in bribes.
Cheering for fun is one thing, but if you're going to be emotional, stress about setbacks that make a real difference to the public.
Furthermore, imagine the rewards of using all that time and energy to cultivate yourself. We, as fans, don't get a raise or reward when our team wins, so where does the inherent pride come from?
Famed sportswriter Frank Deford suggests we have an innate drive to be tribal. Since we, particularly in the democratic world, no longer tightly identify with members of our race, religion or nationality, sports fill the gap and allow us a sense of camaraderie and civic pride.
While I certainly subscribe to the idea that humans have an innate desire to be a part of something larger than themselves, I find this commentary both nearsighted and unjustifiable.
At the professional level, these individuals are not typical of the community they supposedly represent. Most are millionaires who've been traded from other states and have absolutely nothing in common with the "superfans" cheering them.
Furthermore, Deford's explanation fails to acknowledge the fact that, as opposed to simply needing to be part of organizations larger than ourselves, with sports we are a part of organizations that rival others like them.
If we're going to be rivals, let's at least make it over something important and something we're actually a part of. And if we're going to compete, let's remember it's just a game.
Religion, nationality and culture, tribal as they are, at least are groups with members who have a real purpose. These group members grow, rather than living through the aesthetic achievements of televised athletes.
Verlander's performance was certainly a rarity, even worthy of some praise. But you, me and all the sports fans in Michigan aren't getting any awards, checks or pats on the back because of it, so why don't we take our own ability to flourish more seriously?
Let's recognize sports for what they are - entertainment. Entertainment is not inherently wrong. We all need to pore over mindless drivel now and then to relax, we just have to keep it in perspective.
That said, maybe the misplaced priorities and emotional ejaculations surrounding these activities can be directed toward camaraderie and pride in ideas with real significance.
Drew Robert Winter is an MSU English junior and State News columnist. Reach him at winterdr@msu.edu.
