What Exactly Builds A Fan Base?

In anticipation of the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis decided the team needed a complete rebuild. Six years later, looking at the first post-lockout team's roster and this past year's team roster you will notice four common threads: Ovechkin, Green, Bradley, and Laich. All four started that 2005 season for the team and continue to be foundational players today.

The same year that the NHL was experiencing its CBA battle, MLB finally decided what it was going to do with the long decaying team ... they shipped it to the Capital Of The Free World. Now, quickly, name one person who started the year in 2005 who is still on the team.

Liván Hernández? I'll give you partial credit here. While he did come over with the Expos in 2005, he did stints with four other teams beginning in 2006 before being brought back to the Nationals late last season.

Ryan Zimmerman? I'll again give you partial credit. He was called up in September of that year but didn't play his first full year until the following year. He is currently on the IR list, but he is still the most recognizable player and the cornerstone of the team.

So let's recap. Washington Capitals on the team since 2005 = 4 players. Washington Nationals on the team since 2005 = 2 partial credits.

(You'll notice that I've not included the Washington Redskins. They always have and probably always will have a large, solid fan base; so there's nothing to build. You'll also notice that I haven't included the Washington Wizards. This year, under new owner Ted Leonsis (yes, the very same Ted), they have begun their own rebuild. It will be a few years before we start seeing fruit from that seed. Also excluded is D.C. United. While soccer may never be huge, per se, the team has a very loud and very loyal base.)

The point I'm getting to ... or trying to get to ... is that people attach to players and, in turn, to teams. And that bond gets solidified when the team, with those players, start winning. Just think of the Washington Wizards during part of this same time period. They made the playoffs for four seasons in a row. If it weren't for the injuries, nonsense, and dismantling of the team during the mid-Aughts, the team would probably still be perennial playoff contenders and command a huge fan base. But the winning stopped, the players were traded off, and new unfamiliar faces were brought in. And attendance dropped from its 18,372 average in 2007 to 16,791 average this past season.

So how, exactly, do the Lerners expect to build a solid fan base for the Nationals when their roster sees such large turnovers?

They could be starting to get it. The farm system is getting solid and their minor league stars are starting to come up to the big league. Ryan Zimmerman was the first of the home-grown players and we're seeing more added each year. Ownership needs to stay on this course its finally laid. It needs to pay to keep its in-house staff and it needs to pay to add necessary "mercenary" pieces. This team lost a lot of goodwill and eager want-to-be-fans with the missteps taken from 2005 to 2009 (myself included).

I'd love to be a diehard Nationals fan. But, guys, you have to give me familiar faces to root for and reasons why I should care. Right now, it's pretty difficult to do that.

Music Video Friday: Let Me Hear You Scream By Ozzy Osborne

Today marks Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with my Washington Capitals facing hated conference rivals Tampa Bay Lightning. This isn't Tampa's first time in the dance - they won Lord Stanley's Cup not that long ago and have three players still on the team who remember that year.

Considering that they have three members who've held the Cup (we only have one, who won it for the New Jersey Devils 11 years ago) and our history of, um, not doing very well in the post-season, I figured that the boys could use some positive energy tonight.

I noticed this year that we've seen a few more familiar faces during the in-game crowd pump-up videos. Pat Sajak? Makes sense. He lives in the D.C. Metropolitan area and has Caps season tickets. David Gregory? Okay, I'll buy it. He lives and works in the area, and he's been a fan for a while. Tom Greene? Well, he's a part of our Capitals Consciousness now and forever. (To the point of re-shooting his clips in a Caps sweater specifically for us. w00t!)

But Ozzy? I didn't get it, couldn't understand it. What possible tie does he have to my beloved team? None that were overtly apparent.

Turns out I'm not a very good heavy metal student. Or I would have picked up that one of the songs Caps Entertainment plays during the game actually is an Ozzy song. Team uses song. Song is a hit with fans. Team gets singer of said song to dress up in Caps Red. Meh ... I think it's a bit of a long stretch (since the man doesn't appear to follow hockey one bit) but, hey, if it gets the energy up in the Phone Booth, who am I to argue semantics?

If you don't know that song to which I am referring (or, like me, didn't realize that it's an Ozzy Osborne song), here it is. Enjoy!

A Brief Lesson In Hockey

No penalty. No suspension. $1000 fine.



No penalty. No suspension. No fine.



Five minute boarding and game misconduct. Two game suspension. $232,645.40 fine.



Are we all clear?

So You Want To Be A Capitals Fan

I've noticed a trend now that the 2010 Winter Olympics are over and we have a few games under our belt. I'm guessing that the hockey games during The Games has turned a bunch of people on to the sport that probably had never given it a first thought before. And that's fine. Hockey is an exciting game and one of the most accessible. The more the merrier.

However.

If you are going to attend a game (which you should ... hockey is best witnessed live), there are some things you need to know.

The General Must-Follows

These rules are universal. They are the most basic of the basics and are followed in every hockey rink all over the world. If you walk away with learning only five things from this post, learn these five!

1. You don't have to know the rules to have a good time.
   
   It's true. There will be enough hard-core fans sitting immediately around you. Don't be afraid to ask what's going on. Trust me, we love to talk about the game and help new fans get acclimated.


2. Practice the "Puck In Play" rule.
   
   The "Puck In Play" rule is simple ... when the game is on, you stay put. It doesn't matter where you are or what you need to do. You can wait until a break in the action. See, hockey is a fast-paced game and, very literally, you can blink and miss an important play (like a goal). So every second that the puck is in play is important to hockey fans. We do not take kindly to the asshole who made us miss our favorite player score on our most hated team. You don't want to be that asshole so don't be.


3. Sit back in your seat!
   
   This goes in hand with the "Puck In Play" rule. When you lean forward in your seat, you take away a large amount of visual real estate. Sit back in your seat so the people behind you can see the whole ice as well.
   
   But, Diarist, the people in front of me are leaning forward.
   
   The tap them politely on the shoulder and ask them to sit back. If they hit you with the same lame excuse, tell them to tell the people in front of them to sit back. And so on. We all want to see the game so please let us.


4. Keep the chatter to a minimum.
   
   You are permitted to cheer as much and as enthusiastically as you wish. You are permitted to discuss the rules of the game or the strategies being used. But blathering on and on about work or personal life is irritating and prevents those around you from enjoying the game. If you wish to catch up with your buddies and discuss how that chick (or guy) the other week gave you crabs, please don't come to the game. No one wants to hear that.


5. Know your limit.
   
   Alcohol is served at the game during the first two periods. You are more than welcome to have some beers or cocktails. But know when to say when.
   

The Capitals Optionals

The next set of rules are specific to the Washington Capitals experience at Verizon Center.

1. Properly enjoy The National Anthem.
   
   It happens at the start of every game. Sometimes the Canadian National Anthem is performed as well. When the anthem(s) start, stand up. You are encouraged to sing, though it's not mandatory. Many people in the crowd will shout RED at "And the rockets RED glare ...". It is okay to do that. Some people will shout O at "Oh say does that ...". It is not okay to do that. The O is a Baltimore tradition that was begun at (and for) Oriole games. We are not Baltimore. We are not the Orioles.


2. DO NOT encourage this guy!
   
   
   I have my reasons.


3. Participate in the group stuff.
   
   Several videos are played during the commercial breaks. Know them and be prepared.
   
   * Unleash The Fury!
   * Victory!
   * "The Hockey Song"
   
   Several chants are done during the course of the game.
   
   * "Ref, you suck!"
   When the refs make a highly questionable call against our team.
   
   * "1 ... (2) ... (etc.) ... It's all your fault!"
   After the Capitals score, immediately following the second announcement of the goal.
   
   * "Who cares?!"
   After the Capitals are scored against, immediately following the second announcement of the goal.
   
   * "Let's go, Caps!"
   Throughout the game, but especially after Horn Guy or Goat leads the cheer. (See my rant against the Capstronaut.)
   

Of course there will be a great many other rules and traditions that will come and go. But these will get you started (and keep you from pissing off the fans who have been going for ever). Follow these rules. And enjoy the game.

Let's go, Caps!

What Is A "Superfan"?

This guy is a Superfan. This guy is a Superfan. This gal is a Superfan.

But this guy is not.

I'm not alone in this belief. Many people think that Spaceman (because I refuse to assign him any name that refers to the team) is nothing more than an attention-grubbing idiot. Some people disagree. And I suppose it is their right to do so.

But they're wrong.

What sets Spaceman apart from Horn Guy, Goat, and Screaming Mimi is that his shtick has absolutely nothing to do with the Washington Capitals. In fact, until The Washington Post did that little blurb on him, there was nothing Caps related to him. Now his Post-appointed name adorns the back of his space suit. Thanks, Steinberg. Additionally, the Superfans are Superfans because they are in the forefront of audience participation during the games. They scream louder. They lead chants. They rile the crowd up.

Spaceman? He stands and pantomimes life in space.

Exciting, huh?

Don't get me wrong. I like that the Verizon Center is full during Caps games. I love that people are so excited about this team that they can't contain it. I think it's fantastic to see this once-sleepy-non-hockey town turn into a place where no one wants to come play. Verizon Center rocks at home Caps games the way that RFK Stadium used to rock at home Redskins games. Yes, faithful readers, it's like that now.

But I don't see the point in putting on a Halloween costume that has nothing to do with the team and suddenly declare yourself a Superfan. You want to play dress up? Fine. Get yourself one of these, one of these, one of these, and/or one of these and alter it to fit the associated player. Until then, sit down and take that stupid helmet off.

Sports Happenings

I know I'm a bit behind on the chatter here but I wanted to share my thoughts on these stories.

1. Washington Redskins - Some might think that the story is this, this, or maybe even this. Those people would be wrong. The real story is behind the scenes.
   
   Here's my take. Clinton Portis needs to go. Yes, there were seasons when he almost literally carried this team on his back. But past performance doesn't give anyone a license to skate by, especially in the NFL. It certainly doesn't give you license to shoot your mouth off on a radio program. You have a problem with your coach? Talk to your coach about it behind closed doors. You have a problem with your teammates? Talk to your teammates in the locker room. Don't do it publicly. He has become a canker in the locker room and has lost the respect of many of the veteran players. He doesn't produce on the field. He doesn't inspire on the sideline. He doesn't lead in practice. Hell, he doesn't even show up to practice! Sorry, dude, but I think you're done. I'm hoping that one of Coach Shanahan's first moves is to trade Portis.
   
   
2. Washington Wizards - If there are two things I know about the next owner of this franchise, they are the following: he knows how to build a long-term winning team and he won't allow his players to embarrass his team. Odds are that this NBA off-season will see the Wizards go through a change like the Capitals did during the 2004 NHL season lockout ... he will make sure he has front office people who know basketball and they will blow this team up and start building toward a team that will be perennial playoff contenders. Quite frankly, for as much pain as that will bring in the immediate future, it will be the best thing to happen to Wizard fans since they last won the NBA title. Trust me on this, because it leads me to ...
   
   
3. Washington Capitals - I love my Caps. And I love Ted Leonsis. This is an owner who gets it. He respects his fans. He respects the tradition of hockey. And he respects his players. He is every bit as passionate about bringing the championship title to DC as a certain other major league team owner; but, unlike said other owner, he knows what is necessary and required of him to accomplish that. But that's not what I wanted to say about my Caps. What I wanted to say was that, seven days after trading their team captain to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team finally decided on a new captain. I was too in shock last night to appreciate the choice. But after having some time to sleep on it, I think it was the right one. Firstly, Ovechkin is going to be here for a very long time, quite possibly for his entire career. Secondly, he has been a leader and always gives his all on the ice. Thirdly, well, there's this ...
   

   "I had talked to a lot of [players] the last couple of days and they said Alex is the only choice," [Coach Bruce] Boudreau said. "He's our leader, he's our guy. What shows he was ready was when I talked to him two or three days ago, he said he would accept the responsibility but 'only if my teammates want it.' He was already thinking about the team instead of himself, which is what captains do."

   Congratulations, Ovie, on the captaincy. And congratulations, Caps, for getting a quality captain.

Rock The Red!

Tonight is Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, with the New York Rangers facing my Washington Capitals at the Phone Booth at 7pm. The game will be aired on Comcast Sports Network.

Although I have season tickets and tickets to all post-season games, I will not be able to watch the game, due to work. But I will be recording it and will be Rocking The Red in my heart.

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

And Now ... Sports

Congratualtions, Ovie and Bruce!

Like, Total Randomness, Y'know?

1. I am treated far too kindly by people who barely know me.
2. I love my ex and am saddened that we find ourselves where we are today.
3. There is too much unsettlement in my life at the moment.
4. Waiting for other things to happen so I can proceed sucks (and not in a good way).
5. Mario Spinetti rocks my socks. (Hey, Mario, where's the full-length album already?)
6. I still hate exercising. Cardio sucks. (But waiting still sucks more.)
7. Jim Zorn? Okay, if you say so. We'll see how that works out. At least I have something to be excited about right now.
8. I'm already hoping that Obama wins the White House so that, after his first veto, I can start using my newly coined term ... Barak-ade©! (As in, the latest bill passed by Congress was Barak-aded© by the White House.)