Favorite Sports Teams

[MililaniBuckeye]

Born and raised in Youngstown, and always considered myself a Buckeye and thus was a fan of Cleveland teams, although Youngstown's history as a steel town and it's proximity to Pittsburgh (almost the same distance to Pittsburgh and it is to Cleveland) lends to a lot of Pittsburgh fans. Because I've always been "Ohio first", I rooted for Ohio State although I was surrounded by Notre Dame fans in the late '60s and early '70s due to the large Catholic population in the area...on Sundays they played highlights of Notre Dame's previous day game, whilst there was next to no Ohio State coverage (only the two games a year on TV). Also as fan of Youngstown State, my true "hometown" team.

 

[Jake]

I grew up in eastern Ohio and graduated from tOSU. It explains itself.

I spent some childhood summers in Texas and visited Texas Stadium when I was 8 years old. I met Tom Landry and Roger Staubach when I was 10. Cowboys fan.

Grew up going to Pirates games and was Willie Stargell playing wiffle ball in the back yard. Even had the windmill warm up swing down.

Mario Lemieux - Penguins

Grandpa was a Celtics fan and the first NBA player I liked was former Buckeye and Celtic great John Havlicek.

Other favorites?

Whoever is playing Notre Dame

Whoever is playing TSUN (unless it's Notre Dame)

Whoever is playing the Steelers.

Whoever is playing the Yankees.

Whoever is playing the Lakers.

 

[Jake]

Born and raised in Youngstown, and always considered myself a Buckeye and thus was a fan of Cleveland teams, although Youngstown's history as a steel town and it's proximity to Pittsburgh (almost the same distance to Pittsburgh and it is to Cleveland) lends to a lot of Pittsburgh fans. Because I've always been "Ohio first", I rooted for Ohio State although I was surrounded by Notre Dame fans in the late '60s and early '70s due to the large Catholic population in the area...on Sundays they played highlights of Notre Dame's previous day game, whilst there was next to no Ohio State coverage (only the two games a year on TV).

You grew up about an hour north of me and about 8 years ahead of me, but those experiences sound very familiar. People would get on me about not rooting for the "local" teams - they were referring to the Steelers and Notre Dame - even though we actually lived in Ohio (about an hour west of Pittsburgh). When I explained that reasoning should make them Browns and Buckeyes fans they waved me off.

 

[starBUCKS]

Ohio State takes precedent over all of the below.

NFL: Arizona Cardinals- first city with a pro team when I went to Arizona State.

NBA: Phoenix Suns- see above

MLB: Boston Red Sox- moved to Boston, and my apartment faced Fenway Park, I appreciated the Red Sox nation and their passion, as it reminded me of the Buckeye Nation. Hard to live in Boston and not be a fan.

NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets- First real pro team from my hometown.

 

[Tonyank]

First a little back ground on me for those who care to know. (parents both from Cleveland) Born in FL, moved to Cleveland when i was 5. Lived there till i was 12. Then dragged to the city of Pittsburgh. Stayed until i was 22. moved to mid michigan, been here 8 years.



NFL: Cleveland Browns. moving to Pittsburgh for 10 years only made me love the browns more, and hate the steelers with a passion. most fans are assholes. Moving to Michigan, I root for the Lions (helps fit in, plus no one can ever say I jumped on the bandwagon lol. plus they rarely play the browns, but if they do I am 100% Browns

Golf: Tiger Woods. Never watched a min before. I like Anthony Kim as well now.

NBA: NONE Living in Cleveland growing up, went to a few games at the Coliseum when it was Price and Elo etc. But could care less about NBA. When I moved here the Pistons were balling good and I rooted for them when at parties and such. If the NBA disappeared tomorrow I could give 0 shits.

NHL: Detroit Red Wings. I've liked the Wings since I could ever remember. I was a fan of the Cleveland Lumberjacks when they were around. Again, living in Pittsburgh made me HATE the pens. God pittsburgh fans are assholes.

MLB: Detroit Tigers. Now I used to be an Cleveland Indians fan, actually a HUGE fan. went to at least 30-40 games as a kid. But i gave up baseball for about 6 years somewhere around 99 i think when the Indians got dismantled and i gave up on baseball all together. didn't watch for years, didn't go to any games. nothing. after i moved here the tigers picked up Pudge and Cabby, i took interest and now despise the Indians.

NCAA: tOSU in everything against everyone in any scenario. If they are up against your mom, fuck your mom. I like and root for sparty as well, they are #2 to the Buckeyes in every aspect. If we need a MSU loss, im not rooting for Sparty (wife went there, meet while she was going there. Party up their and got laid a ton up their)

Fuck scUM sports of all kind. I cut people off with there stupid license plate up here
Fuck Pittsburgh EVERYTHING. NHL, NFL, MLB (not much to fuck there) NCAA.
Fuck The yankees, mets, white soxs, twins, red soxs, braves and cubs
Fuck the cowboys, colts, ravens and patriots.
Fuck the CBJ, Avs, Blackhawks, Sharks, Flames and Bruins

 

[Dryden]

Ohio State, obviously. Born and raised. Dad went there, his oldest brother went there, the oldest brothers' wife teaches there, &c. There are lots of family connections to the school so I was attending football and basketball games since the day I was born. My sisters and I even bought dad a paver at the 'Shoe during the expansion project as a Christmas gift. I've mentioned the story before, but I was born in '74 and narrowly missed being named "Archie Cornelius" by dad -- he was that passionate about the Buckeyes. It's flattering, but I admit I'm glad mom vetoed that one.

Reds. Again, being born in '74 I was pretty much steered into the Big Red Machine by dad, who frequently got tickets to Reds games. There was a period though when ole Leatherpants was running the team into the ground that I had to become a closet Red Sox fan for awhile, since the Reds sucked so bad it was embarassing and the Sox appeared to be the antithesis of the Yankees, were a collection of a bunch of "idiots," and seemed to have some personality. I mean, they had Pedro, and anyone that throws Don Zimmer into the ground is alright in my book. This all changed after the Sox won the World Series, which made me realize that Boston sports fans are five times more unbearable than New York sports fans.

Have always had a sentimental spot for the Twins too, since Alan Anderson (from Lancaster) pitched there during their run from ~87-91.

After that, I tend to cheer for players. Don't really have too much interest in the NFL or NBA. When two NFL teams play, I tend to cheer for the team that has the fewest felons. You know, like picking my favorite for the Super Bowl based on which team isn't starting a womanizing alcoholic serial-rapist at QB.

 

[scarletmike]

I am all-Ohio when it comes to sports, and grew up in north-central Ohio (Mansfield).

College: Do I even need to say anything? I grew up in a sports-minded family, so we watched every Buckeye football and basketball TV broadcast, and listened to the rest on the radio. Only other school(s) I cheer for are Indiana Wesleyan (soccer is king, and we had a pretty good team while I was there) and UCF (hopefully transferring there before too long).

MLB: The Indians. Just like with the Buckeyes, my family was watching any Tribe game that was on TV, and listened to it on the radio if it wasn't. Usually went to at least one or two games every season once Jacob's Field was built (don't think about calling it Progressive Field, fuck that shit). Since moving to NE Indiana, I see and hear more Reds games, and I will enjoy a chance to go to GABP, but I couldn't care less about the Reds. Tribe all the way!

NFL: One of the few major sports my family didn't really pay much attention to, but I grew up with Browns fans, and even though I didn't really understand what it meant, I remember being mad when that asshole packed up and moved the franchise. Then I got really excited when the Browns were revived in Cleveland, and now wallow in agony as we fail to do anything, year after year after year after year after...you get the idea.

NBA: My family has never looked fondly upon the NBA, and I don't much either, but regardless, I knew about the Cavs, but never really followed any one team until I watched His Quitness play in HS and realized what a boost it would be to the Cavs. Sure, call me a bandwagoner for that, but I remain a Cavs fan now, and forever. However I do have fond memories of sitting in our upstairs storage room with a little TV plugged in and watching Jordan and the Bulls pound away at everyone while I would occasionally lose focus and dig through the boxes of stuff we kept up there.

MLS: Never have been much of a real follower, but I do keep an eye on Columbus Crew news and always check their ranking and record in the Ft. Wayne newspaper sports section.

NHL: Again, don't actually do much following, but I do keep an eye on the Blue Jackets and have a small personal celebration when I see they are doing well. I've just never been able to really get into hockey.

Euro Soccer: Yes, I am part of a shameless bandwagon when it comes to the EPL, I pull for Manchester United. I openly admit I'm little more than someone who hopped on the bandwagon, but in reality, I don't honestly care too much. I am much more interested in the US team and their success in the World Cup. International soccer leagues are just a way for me to keep tabs on the top players.

So there you go. Born and raised in Ohio, grew up focused on Ohio sports and nothing will ever change that, no matter where I live in the future.

 

[Tonyank]

Fuck Pittsburgh
Fuck The yankees, mets, white soxs, twins, red soxs, braves and cubs
Fuck the cowboys, colts, ravens and patriots.
Fuck the CBJ, Avs, Blackhawks, Sharks, Flames and Bruins

which made me realize that Boston sports fans are five times more unbearable than New York sports fans.

+1

 

[buxfan4life]

NCAA - Ohio State. This is my one true passion when it comes to sports. All others take a back seat.

NFL - Miami Dolphins (grew up in the Marino/Montana era, and I chose Marino to follow as a kid. Browns are a close second because of where I grew up in north-central Ohio, but always kept tabs on the Phins.) This is the only pro team I really follow with any real interest.

MLB - Indians, but I don't follow it anymore. The strikes back in the 90s totally killed any interest I had in MLB.

NBA - Do not give a shit. I watch NCAA BBall. Better games IMO.

NHL - Eh, I don't really follow it. I guess the Blue Jackets since I will look at the scores to see if they won or not as they scroll across the bottom of the screen on the morning news. Also, I was living in Columbus when the team started.

 

[THEWOOD]

NCAA-- The Ohio State University. Best 4 and half years of my life. I am probably more obsessed with OSU athletics now, then when I went there. It keeps me young, so I tell my wife.

In order of importance or amount I care.

MLB--White Sox. I grew up a HUGE fan of Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas, Black Jack McDowell, Robin Ventura. I love going to games down at the cell, have been a season ticket holder twice over the years.

NBA--Bulls. Jordan, Pippen, Cartwright, Paxson, Luc Longley, Horace Grant. Just loved going to Bulls games and still do. My firm has season tickets, 4 of which are courtside. Its an absolute blast to sit courtside and watch Rose work his magic.

NFL--Bears. This is probably a distant 4th. I have never been a huge NFL fan, caring much more about college. Since I graduated 7 years ago, I have started to get more into NFL. Probably with the help of fantasy football. I am more of an overall football fan than just Da Bears.

NHL--Blackhawks, I guess. I have been to 1 NHL hockey game my entire life. It was an ok time.

PGA Golf--Nothing better than relaxing on the couch on Sunday watching some golf on television. Love it.

 

[IronBuckI]

NFL - Cleveland. I grew up during the Kosar era, and I've been stuck with the Browns ever since.

MLB - Cincinnati. The Reds were on the radio and sometimes on local TV when I was a kid, and the Indians were terrible.

NBA - I was a Pistons fan when I was a kid, because I didn't know any better. Not a fan of the NBA now, and haven't intentionally watched a regular season game in a very long time, and only catch bits of the playoffs.

NHL - Blue Jackets. I never watched hockey prior to the Blue Jackets, and I still don't follow it closely.

Soccer - I follow The Crew, and they're the only team that I have any rooting interest in. I love watching the EPL, and usually root for EPL teams when it comes to international competition. However, I never ever start chanting E-P-L!! E-P-L!! E-P-L!!

 

[ulukinatme]

College Football - For me Notre Dame comes first, Ohio State second, after that I don't really care. I'm not an alumni myself, but I've got several family members that are ND alumni and a few currently enrolled. I've been to a lot of games over the past 18 years (Starting with the epic meltdown to Boston College in 1993 when the Irish were #1), and growing up Irish edges out Ohio State for me despite living an hour from Columbus most of my life.

I've yet to go to an OSU game, but it's on the list of things to do, and when I go I plan on doing it up big and making it a scUM game. I'd like to take my wife and father-in-law if I can swing it, he's a real big Buckeye fan. Every Saturday we're always watching both teams, and if they're both playing simultaneous he and I constantly switch the channels back and forth.

MLB - I used to watch a lot of baseball in the 90s, and just the last year or two I've been watching games again, but it's always been the Tribe. I left Ashland about 12 years ago and live in Reds territory now, but I can't really root for them.

NBA - I've never really cared much for basketball, but I watched a lot of Jordan when he played for the Bulls in the 90s, and I did watch a lot of Lebron when he played for the Cavs. I can't honestly say that I've followed the Cavs since Lebron left, but I can't stand the Heat now or the way Lebron left, so I'm done with basketball again.

NFL - I'm a Browns fan first, but it's hard to get broadcasts of games sometimes being an hour from Cincinnati. Sometimes we'll go to a bar where they'll be playing the game. I can't really root for the Bengals now, they're just not my team despite being in the middle of Bengal territory. I do like to follow a lot of former Notre Dame players though, even if I don't care for the team. I used to love watching Jerome "the Bus" Bettis play for the Steelers, even though I didn't care for Pittsburgh. Ryan Grant for Green Bay, Tim Brown, Montana, Golden Tate, Arnaz Battle, and a bunch of other guys. If there was any other team on a whole that I ever followed it would probably be the 49ers when it was Montana and Rice, and later Steve Young and Rice. I'll root for the Packers too as my grandpa was always a big fan and a lot of my dad's family was born and raised in Wisconsin.

 

[muffler dragon]

Born and raised in SE Ohio; thus, Buckeyes are pre-eminent.

I started watching sports with my Dad, and basically followed a lot of his interests.

NCAA: Ohio State all things.
NBA: Lakers. Started watching Magic's first year. Tried to emulate his game throughout my life.
NFL: Recovered Browns fan. I basically become apathetic with regards to the NFL. I root for individual players and don't care for one particular team.
MLB: My dad started following the Dodgers when then were in Brooklyn. That carried over for me. Baseball is just about mind-numbing for me prior to October.
NHL: Going to Eastern Michigan from '93-'97, exposed me to the Red Wings. I've rooted for them ever since.
MLS: Portland is getting a team next year. I may have to pull for them.

 

[BayBuck]

College: The Ohio State University. 4th-generation Buckeye grad here. Time and change &c.

NFL: Buffalo Bills. Born in Buffalo with dad's side still there, it's certainly been my most depressing sports affiliation, but you can't change your past. If they ever leave town and I become a free-agent NFL fan, I'd probably go with the Steelers since my wife's family hails from western PA, so I'd be like a fan-in-law.

MLB: New York Yankees. Native New York (state)-er, grew up going to Clippers games in Columbus and collecting Donnie Baseball cards. My baby girl spent the first few weeks of her life watching the Yankees win the '09 World Series, so that was a nice memory as a new dad.

NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets. I grew up watching the Sabres and wore Alexander Mogilny's number whenever I played, but when Columbus got a team I was there from the start. Was at the 1st home playoff game against Detroit, which was an awesome experience despite the loss.

NBA: who cares. I was a fair-weather Bad Boys fan when I was 11, and took a casual interest in the Cavs with hometown-hero LeBron, but I really don't care about the NBA at all.

 

[OSUScoonie12]

NCAA: Ohio State. Born and raised in Columbus, and the pure passion of OSU sports has been in our family for generations. My dad and I have had season tickets together for almost 20 years now.

NFL: Tennessee Titans. After Eddie left OSU for the pros i followed him to the Oilers. I really didn't follow NFL much before this, and quickly became a fan. I've stuck with the Oilers and the move to Tennessee. Had some good years, and some bad years but i've never thought twice about being a fan.

NBA: LA Lakers. I followed high school basketball while in middle school and high school and quickly became a fan of pretty well known player from Pennsylvania named Kobe Bryant. When he was drafted and traded to LA i instantly became a fan. Everyone always tells me there i no way i can be a real fan of the Lakers in Ohio and i'm just a bandwagon, but that is far from the truth. Besides OSU, the Lakers are my 2nd passion in sports and i have been collecting sigh balls, jerseys, plaques, rare cards, etc of current and former Lakers for just over 15 years now.

NHL: Blue Jackets. Once again, living and being from Columbus, i had to become a fan of our first big time pro sport. My family has had season tickets since before the puck dropped for Game 1, and we still have them. They are fastly becoming a true sports passion for me.

MLB: Hate baseball.