I've been a fan of my teams for an average of 20 years years each. I became a true collector of game worn material in 2005 but I purchased hats and jerseys for my teams for as long as I rooted for them. With yet another awful choking end to my Canucks season, a few thoughts rambled around my mind. Therefore, my questions for my fellow collectors are as such:
1) Do you find it easier and more enjoyable to add to your collections when your team is winning? Maybe not titles but when they seem to be cruising through the regular season or early playoffs and you start to dream of the victory parade.
2) Does a part of you lose interest and/or love for your collection when the season ends on a sour note?
3) Is there a situation where you would sell your collection and revoke your allegiance to your team? Not specific players, I mean the team.
4) Have you ever passed on an item because you were disgusted with the teams performance? and lastly....
5) Have you ever purchased a jersey or bat of a player on your team simply because the team was excelling or sold something because you were frustrated with them?
My answers:
1) I am a player collector and a team collector. I get more enjoyment out of obtaining a Dolphins jersey after they beat the Jets, find themselves in first place after week 10 or upset a top tier team than any other times. Finding my players jerseys has become difficult so I don't find their performance affects my interest. I do double my GUU, boards and eBay searches after they excel however.
2) When the Dolphins screwed the pooch the last few decades or the Canucks were eliminated after I had legitimate hopes of a title since Luongo signed or the Braves were uncompetitive again due to poor pitching an untimely hitting, I don't appreciate seeing my items or look forward to wearing the teams jersey as much as when the potential for success is still possible. Immediate off seasons have been brutal lately, it takes a few weeks for the disappointment to abate. I simply don't enjoy my collection as much during those times. But much like hope springs eternal, as a new season dawns, my love for my collection re-blossoms.
3) Barring some cataclysmic event, I don't see my fandom swaying from my teams. Now if 4 guys assaulted a woman and management refused to do anything because their stats were more important then their character, that's different. No amount of on field actions or losing would sway me.
4) I have passed on looking for items from my team when they played without heart so I liken that to missing out on some things. I have also not bid on eBay auctions for styles of my teams jerseys when they messed up because I couldn't validate spending money on them when I was pissed.
5) Yes I sold off a few jerseys because I was pissed at the player or the team. I also purchased a Martin Prado jersey tonight because the kid has made me a believer. Comes through in the clutch again tonight. It wasn't just a one game thing however, he's been money since about August of last season. It takes a while for me to have faith in my team's players since I am so used to them disappearing and not getting the crucial hit or goal or defensive stand. It really sucks when you can pinpoint your teams weaknesses and they are all the absence of heart at the critical juncture of a season.
Now please, let me know where you stand so i can better understand our hobby and the mind of us fanatics. Thanks for your input.
1) Do you find it easier and more enjoyable to add to your collections when your team is winning? Maybe not titles but when they seem to be cruising through the regular season or early playoffs and you start to dream of the victory parade.
2) Does a part of you lose interest and/or love for your collection when the season ends on a sour note?
3) Is there a situation where you would sell your collection and revoke your allegiance to your team? Not specific players, I mean the team.
4) Have you ever passed on an item because you were disgusted with the teams performance? and lastly....
5) Have you ever purchased a jersey or bat of a player on your team simply because the team was excelling or sold something because you were frustrated with them?
My answers:
1) I am a player collector and a team collector. I get more enjoyment out of obtaining a Dolphins jersey after they beat the Jets, find themselves in first place after week 10 or upset a top tier team than any other times. Finding my players jerseys has become difficult so I don't find their performance affects my interest. I do double my GUU, boards and eBay searches after they excel however.
2) When the Dolphins screwed the pooch the last few decades or the Canucks were eliminated after I had legitimate hopes of a title since Luongo signed or the Braves were uncompetitive again due to poor pitching an untimely hitting, I don't appreciate seeing my items or look forward to wearing the teams jersey as much as when the potential for success is still possible. Immediate off seasons have been brutal lately, it takes a few weeks for the disappointment to abate. I simply don't enjoy my collection as much during those times. But much like hope springs eternal, as a new season dawns, my love for my collection re-blossoms.
3) Barring some cataclysmic event, I don't see my fandom swaying from my teams. Now if 4 guys assaulted a woman and management refused to do anything because their stats were more important then their character, that's different. No amount of on field actions or losing would sway me.
4) I have passed on looking for items from my team when they played without heart so I liken that to missing out on some things. I have also not bid on eBay auctions for styles of my teams jerseys when they messed up because I couldn't validate spending money on them when I was pissed.
5) Yes I sold off a few jerseys because I was pissed at the player or the team. I also purchased a Martin Prado jersey tonight because the kid has made me a believer. Comes through in the clutch again tonight. It wasn't just a one game thing however, he's been money since about August of last season. It takes a while for me to have faith in my team's players since I am so used to them disappearing and not getting the crucial hit or goal or defensive stand. It really sucks when you can pinpoint your teams weaknesses and they are all the absence of heart at the critical juncture of a season.
Now please, let me know where you stand so i can better understand our hobby and the mind of us fanatics. Thanks for your input.
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