What does it mean to be a fan? To put it simply it means that you are devoted to a team or sport, or an enthusiast. If you like a team or a sport then far be it for me to tell you to change your opinion. After all, who am I to tell you what it is you do or don't like.

As they say, "you can't help who you love" the same is true in sports. Most of our love for teams comes from the geographical region we live in. Of course there are exceptions, and winning usually has something to do with it. Be honest with your selves America, we all love a winner. We hate to follow something to the end, only to watch as it ends in defeat.

Most of what I am getting ready to reference will be related to the Yankees and Red Sox rivalries. It's where I see it the most due to the teams I follow, but I'm willing to bet that it can be said of many different markets and that everyone can relate to it.

I am tired of the insults being thrown around over such a trivial thing. I love sports, always have. I love the competition and the drama, as well as the history and all developing story lines. But I am smart enough to know that the athletes participating, for the most part, could really care less about me. They are out there to make a living. Yes, they might enjoy living in the city that we route for, but they are not there for us.

Yesterday was really the breaking point for me. I live in western Pennsylvania, about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. I am a New England native, and because of the regional influence, I grew up a Patriots fan. This is a franchise with an abysmal history, which has been forgotten do to its recent success. As a franchise they are only slightly over .500.

So I'm sitting in the bar eating my dinner and cheering for the Pats. Keep in mind they are playing a Pittsburgh rival, but it seems to be forgotten because they are not currently winning. A guy comes over and says to me " you routing for the Patriots?"

"Yeah, they're my team."

"What are you? Some sort of ####?"

Are you serious? For those of you wondering, the answer is no, but that's really here nor there. Why should someone’s sexuality be questioned over a sports team they like? In a weird way, I kind of view it as borderline racism.

Later in the evening I'm logged on to the Fox Sports website to see what the latest is on the Johan Santana deal. I believe it was apiece written by Kenny Rosenthal, who has pretty good inside knowledge. As I scroll down to see what's been said about the article, I see this posted. "ANY ONE WHO LIKES THE RED SOX IS A  ####*I*N*G* F*A*G*G*O*T* WHO TAKES IT IN THE ####"

Um, are you kidding me? I'm a Red Sox fan and my #### has never been penetrated. This is just plain sad really. The poster should be ashamed of themselves. You look like a total ignoramus who is completely incapable of producing one original thought suitable for civilized debate. But, if that's how you need to go through life to justify your existence, so be it. Again, it's your opinion and who am I?

The other stuff was just stupid banter. Mostly about 2 world series in the past 7 years as opposed to none. Yankees fans chime back with 26. Look Yankees fans; I told you I appreciate the history of the game as much as anybody. I'm glad that you do to. But most of you I'm willing to bet were born in the 80's and I ask you this. How many of those 26 have you been around to enjoy?

I'm a Celtics fan but last time they won I was 2. I don't go rubbing in the history of the franchise to a Spurs fan who's team is the best going right now.

And Sox fans, shut up!  I'm one of you, but shut up. We should be grateful that we have gotten to see in our life times what our grandparents never saw, and our parents thought they would never see. Be thankful we saw it twice. Be excited about the future. In the grand scheme of things, how much does a World Series or Super Bowl championship factor into validating our existence?  It gives us something to cheer about and brings closure to a season we've been following but that's it really.

It's something to talk about. And that's the really great thing that sports give us. Something new every day. And I'll tell you this. If I had spent my entire life not engaging in conversations with people due to a team they liked, I would have cheated myself out of some truly great friendships. 

When it comes to routing for your team sports nation I ask this from you. Cheer for your team. Follow them, even when times are tough. It makes the good times that much better. But like your team does, respect the other team. As big a rivalry as Sox, Yanks is, you hear it from them all the time. The players will say how they don't hate each other; they have respect for what the other guy's do.

And real quickly here, Fox Sports. Please don't give me the "Hogger treatment" That comment was posted crystal clear. It's probably still there. For some reason you can't post Chien-Ming's last name but you can post that. What gives? Now if you’d excuse me, I've got a real article to write because today was a pretty exciting day for one team in the AL central. Congratulations sports, you've done it again!