Falcon Points

ESPN Poll says most fans favor sports with no fans. To the rest of you? Shame bell

Fred Faour
May 7, 2020, 6:56 am
Photo by Getty Images.

So ESPN did a poll on how people feel about sports without fans. Shocker! Of those surveyed, 24 percent said no, they are against it.

Those 24 percent are what we respectfully call "dumbs." If the choice is no fans or no sports, there is no choice.

Like a lot of things in the Ronaverse, life has changed. What we consider "normal" has changed. How can anyone say they don't want sports even if fans can't attend?

The reality is, we would take what we can get. There is no perfect solution. We all want things to get back to normal as fast as possible. The problem is there is no normal anymore. And there may never be again.

Yes, the leagues will have to be safe, implement testing and all other sorts of precautions. But as fans, can we not root from TV just as hard as we do in person?

I get the need to be with people to support your team. I truly miss being in the stands for Roughneck games or UH football or basketball games. I would kill to get to see the Toronto Maple Leafs in person again or go to Regina for a Saskatchewan Rough Riders game. However, that is just not in the cards anytime soon.

But would I love to see those teams on TV? Absolutely. If we have learned anything from this mess, it is that sports is our ultimate escape. As fans, we can come together for a few hours to celebrate the wins, and vent about the horrible coaching decisions that led to losses. (Well, Texans fans can do that).

Sports might not be truly vital, but it is something that gives us a community. And as the world becomes more virtual, is it really that difficult to sit back and watch from a distance? Comment in real time on Twitter? Can we not still be a part of things?

No, it isn't perfect. But this stopped being a perfect world the day the leagues shut down. To that 24 percent, I simply believe you aren't really fans, or you are so paranoid that you believe no on should leave the house. Count me in the 76 percent; if it can be done safely, let's play games, with or without fans.

The world is changing. Let's change with it.

New direction for SportsMap

If you missed the on air announcement, Josh Jordan is now editor of SportsMap. He has been assistant editor as we have grown this site into an absolute monster. He will continue to take it to the next level. This allows me to write more, as well as focus on some new projects at Gow Media.

Josh is a sharp young man who has earned this opportunity and will do great things. I can think of no one better to take over a site we have put our hearts and souls into building. Thanks to everyone who has become part of the SportsMap community. Things only get bigger and better from here.


Related Articles Around the Web
espn fans sports coronavirus

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

Houston's celebration has to wait

Rangers get walk-off win over Astros who continue to wait for playoff berth

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

After the big offensive showing to take the opener on Thursday, the Astros entered Friday's game at Globe Life Field against the Rangers just one win or Angels loss away from securing their spot in the playoffs. Here is how the game unfolded:

Final Score (10 innings): Rangers 5, Astros 4.

Record: 29-29, second in the AL West.

Winning pitcher: Brett Martin (1-1, 1.98 ERA).

Losing pitcher: Enoli Paredes (3-3, 3.05 ERA).

Urquidy goes seven while allowing two

The Rangers would strike first in Friday's game, getting a two-out solo home run against Jose Urquidy in the bottom of the second to grab the early 1-0 lead. Urquidy did relatively well on the night, though he would allow another solo homer in the bottom of the fifth. Those were the only two runs he allowed, working in and out of some trouble throughout the game on his way to finishing seven innings. His final line: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 98 P.

Houston grabs their first lead late

Unlike their hot night at the plate the night prior, it took the Astros until the fifth inning to get on the board. It came after Carlos Correa hit a leadoff single, then came all the way around to score on an RBI-triple by George Springer, making it a 1-1 tie at the time.

After the Rangers went back in front 2-1 in the bottom of the inning on their second solo homer of the night, Alex Bregman would tie it up again with a solo home run of his own, making it 2-2. Houston would get their first lead of the night in the top of the eighth, with Altuve working a leadoff walk before scoring later in the inning on an RBI-single by Yuli Gurriel.

Rangers get the walk-off to keep Houston waiting for playoff bid

After Urquidy, Blake Taylor would take over on the mound in the bottom of the eighth, retiring the Rangers in order for a scoreless inning to hold the one-run lead. Still 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Houston turned to their closer, Ryan Pressly. After two quick outs, he would allow a game-tying solo home run, making it 3-3 to postpone Houston's celebration at least another inning as the game headed to extras.

In the top of the tenth, Jose Altuve was placed on second as the free runner. He advanced to third on a groundout to start the inning, then scored on a sac fly by Alex Bregman, making it a 4-3 lead for Houston. Enoli Paredes would load the bases before Texas would tie the game on a sac fly in the bottom of the inning, keeping runners on second and third. Houston made the change to Brooks Raley to try and extend the game another inning, but instead, the Rangers would get the walk-off win, spoiling Houston's chance to clinch their playoff spot themselves with a win.

Up Next: The third game of this four-game set will get underway at 6:05 PM Central on Saturday. On the mound for Texas will be Kyle Gibson (2-6, 5.87 ERA), and, as of now, the Astros still have Lance McCullers Jr. (3-3, 4.24 ERA) listed as their starter.

astros recap astros score astros vs rangers rangers score rangers recap jose urquidy mlb mlb recap astros playoff astros

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome