Be Proud To Keep The Faith

The number one question I get when people find out I'm a Padres fan is "Why did you move here?" They get really confused when I tell them I was born and raised right here in good ol' West By God Virginia. Their reaction says a lot of things. One, that it's common knowledge that San Diego is utopia and that the Ohio Valley is a cesspool devoid of any redeeming qualities. The thought never crosses their mind that someone might move here to further their career because everybody knows there aren't real jobs here and even if they were it wouldn't be worth actually living here to get one. Secondly, and more telling, it just blows their mind that someone would voluntarily be a Padres fan without growing up there and having it thrust upon them against their will. I like that. It brings me pride- and I'm not one of those people who throws that word around. I'm not proud to be an American or a West Virginian and I certainly don't have white pride because all of those things are out of my control. It's not that I chose to be a Padres fan; it's that I chose to be stay a Padres fan. This is something I can rightfully be proud of; I like to think it speaks for my character. Most Friar fans I'm familiar with are people of strong moral fiber. We get tested more and more each year and it only emboldens us. Only the weakest of trash finds a mistress when his marriage hits a rough spot. Us true fans invest ourselves even deeper into the relationship because we have faith and know that our love will not be in vain.