Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Today
Hi: 82
Lo: 63
Wed
Hi: 73
Lo: 59
Thu
Hi: 76
Lo: 66
Section Sponsor
Article Tools
Print this Article
Make text larger
In Sports Blogs
Don't trust me to root for a winner
Hey, Toro might not have a lot of wins this season, but my squad has a great wine!  
By Bobby Tanzilo RSS Feed
Managing Editor

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Bobby Tanzilo

What is a blog?  For us it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Published Dec. 26, 2007 at 8:29 a.m.
Tags: torino calcio, juventus, italy, soccer, mets, yankees, brewers

Why are all my sports teams mediocre?

I can sorta answer that. Because my teams are teams that are connected to my heart, not my brain. I grew up a Mets fan because of geography. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and even though it was nearly a decade after the Dodgers moved west, it just wasn't right to be a Yankees fan.

I'm also a Brewers fan because of geography. I've lived in Milwaukee for a little over 20 years and so, what can I do?

When I became interested in soccer, I chose a Turin team, again based on geography. It's the biggest city near where my family is from. I selected Torino over crosstown rivals Juventus because it was a team with a glorious history and because while Juve is the team of the rich Fiat empire, Toro is the team of the people.

While the Mets have had some great years and considering the team's history goes back only slightly more than 40 years, I think the orange and blue have done pretty well: two World Series titles, a couple more World Series appearances and at least one more division title. But, boy, we've also had some very low lows.

The Brewers are the Brewers. I don't need to tell you anything about them. But this past season was great at my two teams rode the top of the standings for most of the year, even if they choked like they were the Cubs at the end.

Torino was once Italy's most glorious squad but it won its most recent title in 1976 and the 30 years since have been a flip-flop between Serie A and Serie B. This year, like most, there was great hope, but the most the Granata has been able to muster has been a series of ties that prevents them from being at the bottom of the standings. But it isn't enough to put them near the top either.

Luckily, growing up with the highs and lows as a Mets fan prepared me for life as a Brewers fan. Supporting both those teams has also made me philosophical about my support for Toro.

I'm nothing if not loyal. Win, lose or draw, I'll be standing on the sidelines shouting my support. It'll take more than a little frustration or humiliation to make a Yankees or Juve supporter out of me.



More Information ...
Milwaukee Brewers
One Miller Park Way
Milwaukee, WI 53214
(414) 902-4000
http://brewers.com

Related links:

Post a comment / write a review.

Recent blogs/briefs by Bobby Tanzilo
What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. It's Monday and summer is definitely here
Monday
Recently my colleague Molly Snyder Edler asked when summer would arrive. After this weekend, ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Is Summerfest a place for kids? Here's one opinion
Sunday
A few weeks ago, OnMilwaukee.com's Molly Snyder Edler asked our Parent Posse about taking ...

Sick of Sarah nabs a Summerfest win
Thursday
Minneapolis' all-woman quintet Sick Of Sarah is no stranger to the winner's circle in ...

M-Change project will finish early and under budget
July 01, 2008
The Marquette Interchange project will be completed early and under budget, said Gov. ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Pan Am brings young Attanasio to Summerfest
July 01, 2008
If you see a guy playing a Hofner bass on Summerfest's Harley Roadhouse at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, ...