I have a friend who has picked poorly in his time as a sports fan. He didn’t grow up in a major league city, so the whole gamut was there for him. If he were lesser quality, you could argue, he could have just gone chalk, say, Yankees-Steelers-Lakers-Red Wings. He didn’t do that. He went Indians-Bills-Knicks-Maple Leafs.
“All I want, just once, is for sports to be fun,” he said, “because sports is supposed to be fun, right?
It is if you pick well. Here’s one man’s look at seven teams that make you say, “It must be fun rooting for the —-.” You have others? Let me hear them at vac@nypost.com
1. Yankees
Why are they fun? Because they win, a lot, and they don’t apologize for it, and most years are willing to pay any cost and bear any burden for it.
When were they not fun? Your older brother can tell you about 1982-94 and your father about 1965-75.
Will they always be fun? As long as there’s no salary cap and the present winning culture thrives? 100 percent.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Why are they fun? Winning, sure, but it’s not just the winning, it’s the stability: a great old ownership family, three coaches since 1969.
When were they not fun? Just about every second of their existence before 1971 or so, so it’s OK to feel good for Steelers fans. They earned it.
Will they always be fun? As long as the Rooneys rule their roost? Absolutely.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
Why are they fun? Because even if their self-referential (and self-reverential) status as “baseballs best city” isn’t as charming as it used to be, it does happen to be true.
When weren’t they fun? There aren’t a lot of dark patches, but when St. Louis cared more for Mark McGwire’s personal quest than team success, it suffered.
Will they always be fun? The endless supply trucks of kids throwing 98 mph suggests yes, at least for the foreseeable future.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Why are they fun? Because they not only win, they collect iconic stars like a kid collects baseball cards, an unending string stretching all the way back to George Mikan.
When weren’t they fun? Between the Magic and Shaq eras the Lake Show lost its way, ever so briefly, thanks to unworthies like Nick Van Exel.
Will they always be fun? L.A. always will have sun, starlets and sex appeal, and that’s an unbeatable recruiting team.
5. New England Patriots
Why are they fun? Because when they’re rolling, it’s not the winning that surprises you, it’s whenever they don’t find a way to win that surprises you.
When weren’t they fun? With a few outlier examples, for every waking moment until the moment Mo Lewis nearly beheaded Drew Bledsoe.
Will they always be fun? Whoever replaces Belichick & Brady will have to answer this. An early guess: No.
6. Detroit Red Wings
Why are they fun? The city calls itself Hockeytown. That’s a damn good place to start. So is this: Gordie Howe played here.
When weren’t they fun? Believe it or not, the Wings had a dry spell from 1955-97 when they weren’t just non-title contenders, but regularly awful.
Will they always be fun? It feels like Detroit would sooner welcome a city full of Nissans on its streets than ever surrender its nickname.
7. Boston Red Sox
Why are they fun? Say what you like about the Sox, but when they do win they don’t ever do it with boring characters.
When weren’t they fun? Well, last year. And also from 1919-2003. Lots of unfun days in the Hub.
Will they always be fun? As long as they have the resources and the mindset to keep up the arms race with the Yankees? Absolutely.
Vac’s Whacks
Hey, at least Greg Schiano isn’t a hypocrite. Clearly he doesn’t believe in his own team ever using the Victory formation, either.
Unfortunately for Craig Breslow and the Red Sox, it would appear that at Yale “PFP” stands for Physics, Film Studies and Philosophy.
I realize it won’t be the same drama as meth-lab slaves and such, but I suspect Alicia and Will’s much-anticipated confrontation on “The Good Wife” tonight will only help us all better deal with a post-Walter White world.
Looking at its quarterbacking future, the fair city of Minneapolis hasn’t been this depressed since Brenda and Brandon Walsh transferred to West Beverly High.
Whack back at Vac
Morris Shalom: It’s wonderful to see all the improvements at Madison Square Garden. However, last I looked we still have the same owner. I’ve changed my colors to black and white. Go Nets!
Vac: If this season plays out as many think it will, it will be interesting to see if the balance of power among basketball fans in New York shifts the way it has through the eras in baseball … and never has in football.
Kyle Campion: Outstanding article on the Garden. Gave me chills thinking about that place. While I can understand those who want to improve Penn Station, it can’t be at the expense of the Garden, which is truly our last great sporting venue.
Vac: Some have asked me why can’t this Garden be moved if others have, and my answer is this: Garden IV contains more forever memories than the other three combined. Unless you’re a fanatic of the old eight-day bicycle races.
Richard Siegelman: What this listener to Bill Mazer’s radio call-in sports talk shows during the 1960s found most “amazin’ ” about him — even more than his knowledge of sports — was his open-mindedness, friendliness, and obvious niceness as a person. He was a real mensch.
Vac: When I told him I was a St. Bonaventure man to the core, the ex-voice of the Niagara Purple Eagles and Canisius Golden Griffins smiled and said, “We all have our burdens to bear.” Godspeed to a good and generous man.
@CapCube: With the debate regarding the Redskins name, how come nobody is up in arms over the Cleveland Indians, among others?
@MikeVacc: I suspect that when one domino falls here, all the others — Chiefs, Braves, Indians — quickly will follow.