From the Windup: In Attendance? Cheer For History, Not Against It

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.

Maybe it's just because I have to pay more attention to things of the nature now, but it seems like there have been an inordinate amount of no-hitters taken into the sixth inning or later this season. No one has completed the feat just yet, but plenty of close calls have been broken up late in the game. Whenever the home team happens to be the one breaking up the no-hitter, the home crowd breaks into a furious ovation -- like they just won the game or something. In most cases, I don't get this.

Obviously, it's easy to sit here and say "I'm a ___ fan, and I cheer for them and no one else." Of course I agree with that. I'm just saying that being a sports fan is about lasting personal memories as much as it is allegiance to a group of fellows you'll most likely never meet or know personally. You see, I have a personal example on this front.

On July 1, 2000 I sat in the stands at old Milwaukee County Stadium, watching a clash between two really terrible NL Central squads. The Cubs and Brewers entered the game a combined 29 games below .500, as they fought back and forth over fourth place in the division (if not for the Astros, these would have been the two worst teams in the National League). Jeff D'Amico of the Brewers took a no-hitter into the sixth inning that day, only to see Eric Young break it up with one out in the frame. It wasn't an especially deep no-hit bid, but it stuck with me for a reason.

Entering the sixth, I actually made the conscious decision that I wanted to see the no-no. Those who read me regularly know I'm a die-hard Cubs fan. I'm also realistic and a baseball fan. The Cubs were going nowhere that season. It took me about a half hour to sift through the baseball-reference archives to find that game and what exactly happened. Do you think if D'Amico had completed the no-hitter that day I wouldn't have remembered his name -- and probably the date -- off the top of my head? I would never, ever have forgotten it because a no-hitter is transcendent.

The point being: I saw my favorite team lose 4-0 and only pound out two hits. That sucked. As a baseball fan, I would have much rather seen a no-hitter, regardless of the fact that it was against my beloved Cubbies. I would have been given a lasting, historical memory -- who cares if it had been because I ended up seeing one of the Cubs' 97 losses that season.

Now, there are two glaring exceptions:

1. The game has postseason implications and is close. Yes, this one is two-pronged. Say it's 2-0 in the ninth inning of a game in September for a team locked in a tight pennant race. A hit and a home run ties the game, so you should most certainly be pulling for your team to wreck the starter's shot at history. On the other hand, what if the score is 8-0 and there are two outs in the ninth? The writing is on the wall. Just accept the defeat and hope your team bounces back tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy a possibly historic moment.

The flip side of this situation is that in the above scenario, what if the team you love is already eliminated from playoff contention? Why in the world would you want to see them win their 63rd game instead of seeing a no-hitter in person? I'll never understand this. Take it from a Cubs fan who has endured seasons like 1999, 2000, 2006, etc. You forget everything about the season once the calendar turns to October. You wouldn't forget a no-hitter.

2. You are so morally opposed to the pitcher you can't stomach him getting credit. If Roger Clemens was inexplicably signed by some team now and I had to watch him make a no-hit bid in person, I'd be sick to my stomach until someone broke that thing up. If you have similar feelings about certain players, more power to you.

If you happen to be so opposed to a certain team -- Yankees vs. Red Sox, anyone? -- then I'm not gonna tell you to throw that hatred away, either.

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There are sure to be those who feel that a "true fan" (everyone has his or her own definition of this nowadays -- and it usually implies he/she is a true fan and anyone with a different opinion is not) would never want to see their favorite team no-hit. To those people I'd ask: 50 years from now, what will you remember more? Seeing a no-hitter in person, or seeing your favorite team lose 8-0 with three measly hits.

Sometimes it's OK to swallow a bit of team loyalty in favor of being a little selfish. Don't worry, the players won't hate you. We give them plenty. Hell, by being there in person, you already contributed to their salaries.

It's all about the memories when it comes to sports. Seeing baseball history in person is always a good memory. We should cherish those, regardless of (most) circumstances.