True Fans (can) Wear Pink!

Full disclosure, my 4-year-old daughter owns a pink Red Sox hat.  She roots for the Sox.  And, she likes the color pink.  So what?  

I was inspired to sound-off on this topic after reading yet another article in which the somewhat sanctimonious writer felt it was necessary to mention that a "Pink Hat" is not a "true" fan.  I find this a bit amusing, given that the twenty or so dollars that caps cost could be much better spent by someone who doesn't root for the team.  Now, I know that the argument will be (and has been) made that these pink-hatted fans couldn't name who the starting shortstop is (and who could, really?) --- but why is that important?  Why does a fan have to be an uber-fan, or not a fan at all?  Can't someone be a casual fan --- someone who gains some joy when the hometown team wins, some pain when they lose, but otherwise goes on with their own life?  As someone who in recent memory has experienced watching Aaron Boone and David Tyree wreak havoc, I can definitely see the appeal of not becoming too invested in the outcome of a sporting event.  Then again, I'm admittedly incurable in that regard.

It should also be noted that a good chunk of the "true" fans of the Red Sox, only became so after the "Impossible Dream" year of 1967.  Should we think less of them for not caring as deeply for a team that hadn't offered much since the retirement of Ted Williams in 1960?  Or for that matter, only a small sampling of post-season intrigue since 1918?  The answer is, of course not.  1967 gave people a team to get excited about, and to rally behind.  The same can be said for 2004, only on a grander scale.  We shouldn't look down on fans who are new to the fold, or who enjoy wearing merchandise of a different color.  We should be excited by the fact that we root for a team that can inspire even casual fans to go out and show their support.

One more thing about my daughter, one of the first phrases that she was able to repeatedly say on her own was "Hit the ball, Big Papi!".  Now, that's what I call a fan.