What do you do when two teams you follow play each other?

[Auggie]

In my case, it's Cleveland vs. San Francisco...


My advice to you... is to start drinking heavily. — John Blutarsky

[TZ]

1. I'd say root for the team that needs a win more

But I think both Cleveland and SF are in tight divisional races. This is gonna sound weird but I face the same dilemma with Washington and Philadelphia (live in DC, have many good friends who follow the Phillies and got me to like watching them too)

[El Supremo]

2. ...

I know who I'm rooting for.

[Auggie]

3. Mmm... just for that I might lean towards S.F.

[El Supremo]

5. Here is my take on it:

The Royals come to Denver every two years. The Royals are one of my favorite teams (I was born in KC, you know). I'll try to go to the game again on July 3rd. I wear my Royals cap and my wife wears her Rockies cap. Whichever team wins I'm happy.

Now for the obligatory comment by mim about how many time I change my underwear during the game....

[JonLP24]

4. I usually follow one team in each sport

but Denver Broncos is my #2 team. It really depends. These days it doesn't affect me much if Denver wins or loses, but there were times I was more passionate about them. After the Cardinals fire sale of '03, I started following Bronco games while Arizona games where on(though I still watched them including Boldin's terrific debut). When they lost the AFC Championship to Pittsburgh that was the hardest loss to take of a team that wasn't my favorite. Another loss that was hard to take was Denver in 96-97 playoffs.

Anyways, Denver and Arizona rarely faced off. Each and every time I root for Arizona, including last season. One time I did root for Denver over Arizona was in 2006(3 afters after the fire sale) when Denver was in the playoff hunt. Though at the time I wasn't happy Denver switched to rookie Cutler late in the season and ever since then I've had an unexplained dislike for Cutler. Though I did defend him after the NFC Championship so I guess I don't dislike him as much as others.

On edit-I also like the Pacers from the East but I always root for Suns in games each other but I'm not so upset if they lose. In fact they played a great game earlier this year when Grant Hill sent it to overtime and Channing Frye hit a game winning jumper.

[El Supremo]

6. I don't think you were ever more passionate about anything.

[Auggie]

7. I think I root more for the city of Cleveland than the damn baseball club

I want someone to win a championship for the city because I know how frustrating it can be to suffer losing season after losing season. I grew up in the worst of times for sports in Northern Ohio -- the 60's and 70's. And even though they've come so close to making it to the SuperBowl or winning the World Series and NBA title since then, it's just not the same as an outright championship.

[JonLP24]

8. I know what you mean

Can't wait til one of my teams win a championship. I want to know what it feels like when the team you root for wins a title.

I hope the same for Cleveland.

[TZ]

9. Yeah since both my parents are native Clevelanders

I root for all their sports teams on principle. I'd like to see ONE team win something for my Dad in particular before he passes.

[Auggie]

10. My brother and I have had a standing bet on the baseball team

since the 1970s. He said they won't win a WS in his lifetime -- I said they would. Came damn close to winning twice. I have maybe 20-25 years left to collect, but I hope it happens sooner for your Dad.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. "This isn't a rivalry. This is a love fest."

-- Al Michaels commenting on the Bay Bridge World Series, 1987

That's what you do, Auggie. Just feel the love. That was a great feeling to have both of our teams in the World Series at the same time.

But don't overdo it. As you recall, things were so exciting even the California earth jumped for joy just before the start of the third game. We could have done without that.