[eweissenbach]

Most devoted fans are just that -- devoted. Casual fans may change loyalties to an area team, or because they like the uniforms or the mascot, or because Payton Manning changed teams, etc. But, most fans are emotionally invested in their teams and, in the case of college athletics, may be an alumnus, thus fixing the loyalty deep in their souls. I played baseball at the University of Missouri and will always be a Tiger. Growing up in the Kansas City area, I am a fan of the Chiefs and Royals and have been through many moves, and despite their repeated efforts to tear my heart out and stomp on it. The one exception is when your team leaves - when charlie finley (can't capitalize his name) took my beloved a's (can't capitalize it) to oakland (can't capitalize the town), I developed a hatred for what had been my favorite team and favorite players that lasts to this day.