But I look at it more like being a hometown fan. Hometown fans are everywhere this fall as the Yankees head to the World Series for the first time in 15 years. Such a scenario would have been unthinkable merely a generation ago, when New York fans swore unwavering allegiance to one team, and one team only. When the other team was not just an opponent, but an enemy. But in this age of free agency, a ballplayer who was throwing heat for the home team in April may be blowing fastballs by his former teammates in October.
Most fans often seem just as fickle, shifting their affections as easily as they trade hats.
It's very hard to maintain a very strict allegiance to a team and not pay attention to other teams. They suspect that the Yankees hoopla has attracted too many turncoats who have fled Flushing, Queens, after another dismal Mets season. But it's hard to resist a winner close to home. Even for someone such as William Dolan, a longtime Dodgers fan. I go back to Ebbets Field.