Okay so, as I mentioned, I attended the Game 7 slaughtering of the Coyotes. Brutal, yes. But after the game, and after the handshakes between teams, I experienced one of the greatest moments in sporting history at an event I attended. The remaining 10,000 or so fans, who had been on their feet and applauding since 1 minute to go in regulation, spontaneously broke out in “Let’s go Coyotes” as loud as they had been all game, but with 7500 fewer people. Thanking the team for playing hard despite the off the ice troubles. I was bummed about the loss, but that moment made the 60 minutes of domination totally worth it.

That being said, it’s baseball season now (sigh).

In other news, the buildup to Game 7 made me really consider how sports fanaticism gets to the verge of religious fanaticism. Let me count the ways:

First off, as a fan of, say the Red Sox, you would never consider ever becoming a fan of the Yankees, much like a pious Christian would never consider a move to Islam.

Secondly, the “houses of worship” are ornately designed edifices built to demonstrate the strengths of the organization.

Along these lines, the older stadia/churches/temples/mosques/whatever tend to attract people from outside the designated demographic (see: St. Peter’s, Westminster Abbey, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field).

In addition, the newer, more ornate, buildings also manage to attract an audience of outsiders (Oriole Park, any of the megachurches in the west)

Fifth, you’re considered a “diehard” if you set aside 10% of your salary for the organization, whether it be in the form of season tickets or the more traditional tithe.

Sixth, both will eat up a fair amount of your time on Friday nights/Saturdays/Sundays, depending on your team of choice (or all of the above)

Seventh, you will be continually tested in your faith, some fans more than others.

Eighth, you will never agree that another team is “better” than yours, even if deep down in your head you know it’s factual.

And of course, you get dressed up on the holy days.

Finally, you’ll have serious issues if you opt to marry a man or woman from the opposite faction, if you were raised in a strong (Irish Catholic/Jewish/Ohio State/Dodger) household.

I guess the major difference is that with sports, if you find out you were wrong, you only have to suffer for another year. With religion, it’s just a bit longer.