Some serious Caps love

As Caps Nut noted, a bunch of us recently took part in the First Annual Blogger Playoff Pool...and he won. Good for him. (No, really, because it's great that the other bloggers have to use their powers for good instead of evil and write about the Caps.) I was thrilled to tie Gustafsson from OFB for third place. Let the glowing commence!

But it's not all for the team. I'm looking forward to the Draft Day event on Friday- not because of the new jerseys, or even the actual draft- but because I enjoy those types of events for the camaraderie. That's one reason because I like the team: they have so many great fans, even when times are tough. I used to think that Redskins supporters were diehard (what have they had to root for lately?), but I think Caps fans beat them, hands down. For one thing, it's not like the NFL has attendance issues or has to worry about how to get butts in the seats. The NFL didn't have a lockout year to contend with and they're never troubled about a lack of media attention. They'll have millions of fans, no matter what.

The NHL? As we all know, that's a different story. Despite all the problems, long-suffering fans have been there. Capitals fans, in particular, are faced with long seasons that they can only hope will pay off in the future. And yet...they're there. Patient fans have been the backbone of support for the team. (Although it's nice that fans will support the team no matter what, I think it's finally time to retire those Jagr jerseys. PLEASE.) So much for the casual fan who only likes the Caps when their team isn't in town; the longtime Caps fan is where it's at! Just look at those great fans.

The transience can be frustrating at times. While that's a feature that definitely makes D.C. what it is, it can be annoying. Sometimes I think it would be nice to go to a Caps-Pens game and not see half of Pittsburgh in attendance (though who can blame them for preferring to live here and not there), but then I remember the game against Toronto where some hearing-impaired Leafs fans and I taunted each other in sign language. That was awesome, even though the Caps lost. I always enjoy an opposing fan with a sense of humor; teasing in good fun makes a game fully enjoyable. Too bad Sabres fans haven't learned that yet. (Oh, heaven forbid, I'm picking on Buffalo again! Will they ever get over it?)

The Capitals have a good owner in Ted Leonsis. What owner is as accessible as he is? I look at other owners of professional sports teams and I'm incredibly relieved that Ted owns the Caps. What if he was like Bill Wirtz, Peter Angelos, Dan Snyder, or team owner almost-ran Frank D'Angelo? God help us all. Ted actually considers the fans and doesn't only see dollar signs, like some of these jerks. We may have to put up with ice girls, but there are plenty of fun fan events to make up for having snow hos (even if they're there). At least it's well-intentioned misguidance.

Last but certainly not least, there's the bloggers. I've enjoyed meeting and talking with them, and it seems like there's a few more popping up every month. It's great to read all everyone's viewpoints, because there's always something different to consider. However, I think The Peerless Prognosticator expresses what it means to be a Caps fan most eloquently. I urge you to read his utterly amazing post in full:

"But with the good and the bad, there is a shared history here. And with that, there is a shared hope that what the Caps are building will end in names we know etched onto a plate that girds the Stanley Cup. I’m a Caps fan, and proud of it."

So am I, Peerless. So am I.

A big thank you to Caps Chick for running the pool!