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Why do we do this to ourselves?!

I’m talking about sports fandom. The thing most likely to make you cry tears of joy one day, and snap the leg off your coffee table the next. There’s an indescribable bond we have with our teams and our fandom. Even in the bad times, there’s an odd comfort in the fact that the team will still be there, playing an objectively bad version of their sport and breaking your heart.

So, again, I ask ya, why do we do this to ourselves?!

Is it because fandom creates a culture? You don’t get the surrender cobra, or guys wearing replica championship belts while dressed up as Macho Man, or Taylor Swift friendship bracelets without fandom. 

Is it because fandom creates community? Suffering with a fellow fan makes the feeling of breaking a curse and winning a championship that much sweeter. Arguing with that same fan over the direction your team took at the trade deadline can also be fun. It’s like a lower stakes thanksgiving dinner argument with your uncle.

Is it because we can measure time with fandom? You may not remember the vacation you took in 2012, but you probably remember your favorite baseball team’s backup catcher. Once you revisit that name, the rest of the details about the year fall into place. 

To figure all of this out, I’m bringing in the guys who literally WROTE THE BOOK on fandom, Mike Schur and Joe Posnanski.

This episode was funny, enlightening and, I think, got me a little closer to understanding WHY WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES!

Welcome to Episode 003 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

I loved reading BIG FAN.  (And since I also got it on audio book, I loved having it read to me!) , Make sure to buy BIG FAN wherever you buy your books https://sites.prh.com/bigfan

(This reminds me… Back in the old days, I started a book club at PTI, The Stat Boy Judge Books By Their Cover Book of the Month Club. I came out strong recommending BATTLE ROYALE, by Koushun Takami, a book I judged by its cover! It worked, tremendous book. Not all covers are judge worthy, but man, that one was. Anyways, I lost Wilbon and Kornheiser immediately with that one but endeavor to try again with you.   Expect recommendations of books, shows and multimedia on REAL DEAL.

Subscribe for new episodes of REAL DEAL every Tuesday. You can also listen on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This past weekend, Argentina, led by Messi, in what could have been his final World Cup appearance, lost to Spain 1-0. It was a crushing loss, one that, understandably, left Messi looking more reflective and appreciative than full of joy.

Ok, now let’s rewind to 2022. Messi won the World Cup and, in the midst of his elation, the look on his face shifted from unbridled happiness to perplexed discomfort. The kind of face Curb Your Enthusiasm has made famous over the years. That’s because, in Messi’s biggest moment, surrounded by teammates and being watched by millions around the world, he had his moment stolen by an internet celebrity.

Salt Bae, the internet’s most infamous social media chef, grabbed the trophy and somehow made Argentina’s, and Messi’s, World Cup win about himself.

Welcome to Episode 002 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

Today we’re diving into a moment that felt like a cross between a Mad Lib and a fever dream. Helping us make sense of it all is The Athletic’s Nick Miller, who has covered Messi and his dealings with Salt Bae extensively.

It all boils down to one question: Was Salt Bae inserting himself into Messi’s celebration the most hijacked moment in sports history?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Subscribe for new episodes of REAL DEAL every Tuesday. Watch on YouTube or listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Episode 001 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

Every episode starts with one unforgettable sports moment, and together we relive the feeling to figure out why it still matters.

For this first episode, Olympic champion and legendary broadcaster Rowdy Gaines joins me to revisit his unforgettable call of the 2008 Olympic 4x100 freestyle relay, where Jason Lezak chased down Alain Bernard and in the process kept Michael Phelps’ dream of eight gold medals in one Olympic Games alive.

The moment still cracks me open. But it also raises a bigger question:

Was this the greatest teammate moment in sports history?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Subscribe for new episodes of REAL DEAL every Tuesday on YouTube. You can also listen on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.