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True Believers: The Tragic Inner Life of Sports Fans
Bestselling author Joe Queenan's True Believers explores the world of sports fans in an attempt to understand the What does anyone get out of it?
For Yankee, Cowboy, and Laker fans the answer is fairly the return on investment is relatively high. But why do people root so passionately for formerly inept teams like the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, and the Philadelphia Phillies? Why do people organize their emotional lives around lackluster franchises such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, the San Diego Padres, and the Phoenix Suns, of whom decades passed with only winning a single championship in their entire history? Is it pure tribalism? An attempt to maintain contact with one's vanished childhood?
In True Believers , humorist and lifelong Philly fan Joe Queenan answers these and many other questions, shedding light on―and reveling in―the culture and psychology of his countless fellow fans. Making pilgrimages to such cradles of competition as Notre Dame Stadium, Fenway, and Wrigley Field, Queenan delves into every aspect of fandom in such illuminating chapters as Fans Who Love Too Much (men, like the author, who actually resort to psychotherapy to deal with their unhealthy addiction), Fans Who Run in Front (which meticulously delineates the differences between Retroactive, Municipal, and Vicarious Frontrunners), and Fans Who Misbehave (those who spill beer on women, moon other fans, or throw half-eaten sandwiches at innocent bystanders simply because they look like the current coach of the New York Jets).
True Believers is a hilarious but also heartfelt look into the world of those fans who realize that it is, in fact, more than just a game.
For Yankee, Cowboy, and Laker fans the answer is fairly the return on investment is relatively high. But why do people root so passionately for formerly inept teams like the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, and the Philadelphia Phillies? Why do people organize their emotional lives around lackluster franchises such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, the San Diego Padres, and the Phoenix Suns, of whom decades passed with only winning a single championship in their entire history? Is it pure tribalism? An attempt to maintain contact with one's vanished childhood?
In True Believers , humorist and lifelong Philly fan Joe Queenan answers these and many other questions, shedding light on―and reveling in―the culture and psychology of his countless fellow fans. Making pilgrimages to such cradles of competition as Notre Dame Stadium, Fenway, and Wrigley Field, Queenan delves into every aspect of fandom in such illuminating chapters as Fans Who Love Too Much (men, like the author, who actually resort to psychotherapy to deal with their unhealthy addiction), Fans Who Run in Front (which meticulously delineates the differences between Retroactive, Municipal, and Vicarious Frontrunners), and Fans Who Misbehave (those who spill beer on women, moon other fans, or throw half-eaten sandwiches at innocent bystanders simply because they look like the current coach of the New York Jets).
True Believers is a hilarious but also heartfelt look into the world of those fans who realize that it is, in fact, more than just a game.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
7 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Joe Queenan
46 books90 followersJoe Queenan is a humorist, critic and author from Philadelphia who graduated from Saint Joseph's University. He has written for numerous publications, such as Spy Magazine, TV Guide, Movieline, The Guardian and the New York Times Book Review. He has written eight books, including Balsamic Dreams, a scathing critique of the Baby Boomers, Red Lobster, White Trash, and the Blue Lagoon, a tour of low-brow American pop culture and Imperial Caddy, a fairly scathing view of Dan Quayle and the American Vice-Presidency.
Queenan's work is noted for his caustic wit.
Queenan's work is noted for his caustic wit.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 29, 2016
People who watch, but don't enjoy, sports are the worst. Joe Queenan is the epitome of this type of grumpy asshole. This book makes me wish I could go back in time and keep the Phillies from winning the World Series in 2008.
It's not all bad, but it is mostly bad. Like the story where Queenan gleefully recounts his desire to beat up a drunk Frenchman in Paris. Or the time when he gleefully recounts putting a little kid in his place at a basketball game. Or when he recounts telling a blind and half-deaf man at an Eagles game to turn down his radio (he does at least seem embarrassed by that episode.)
Or his consistent sexism (this idea that women are incapable of understanding sports is as ridiculous as it is pervasive. Sports, even the glorious infield fly rule, are not difficult to understand.) Queenan also doesn't like sports movies (I consider this a strong indicator of a serious character defect). He doesn't even like RUDY and he's a NOTRE DAME FAN. Maybe the worst part is this sentence, about the US Open played in NY in 2002: "The rain was brutal and incessant; the grandstands were filled to overflowing with infuriating Japanese spectators who would tunnel under normal people's arms and legs to get a better view of the players;..."
That's right. NORMAL people.
Sheesh.
It's not all bad, but it is mostly bad. Like the story where Queenan gleefully recounts his desire to beat up a drunk Frenchman in Paris. Or the time when he gleefully recounts putting a little kid in his place at a basketball game. Or when he recounts telling a blind and half-deaf man at an Eagles game to turn down his radio (he does at least seem embarrassed by that episode.)
Or his consistent sexism (this idea that women are incapable of understanding sports is as ridiculous as it is pervasive. Sports, even the glorious infield fly rule, are not difficult to understand.) Queenan also doesn't like sports movies (I consider this a strong indicator of a serious character defect). He doesn't even like RUDY and he's a NOTRE DAME FAN. Maybe the worst part is this sentence, about the US Open played in NY in 2002: "The rain was brutal and incessant; the grandstands were filled to overflowing with infuriating Japanese spectators who would tunnel under normal people's arms and legs to get a better view of the players;..."
That's right. NORMAL people.
Sheesh.
November 14, 2013
I reached for this book when I realized it was about sports fans who spend their lives rooting for losing teams. And since I am a rabid fan of the Washington Redskins, the Washington Nationals, and the Chicago Clubs, I felt that I needed to investigate. Sure, it would be a walk in the park to be a fan of the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys, but why do I cling to these teams that so often break my heart? It turns out that I, like so many others, have an inherent belief that the future is going to be better than the past and that the glory days are just around the corner. An easy to read and sometimes funny look at the quirks and behavioral outrages of sports fans everywhere. Unfortunately, I saw myself in some of his examples. I need to work on that.
June 7, 2016
This combination memoir and advice column/commentary/philosophy of being a sports fan has potential, and is laugh-out-loud funny in parts. Ultimately, though, the book's casual sexism (not just in assuming sports fans are men, but the way the author talks about women, separately) was ultimately too much for me to get over.
As well, while I'm a huge sports fan, I had somewhat the same reaction to this book as I did to Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch--that I'm not quite so devoted a fan as to encounter the same emotions the author does. For better or worse!
As well, while I'm a huge sports fan, I had somewhat the same reaction to this book as I did to Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch--that I'm not quite so devoted a fan as to encounter the same emotions the author does. For better or worse!
January 7, 2009
True Believers was a fun group of essays about fanatical sports fans; nothing earthshaking, but I certainly found myself nodding along in agreement when Joe Queenan catalogued some of the more obsessive behaviors engaged in by sports fans (for myself, I knitted and unknitted a scarf during the Boston Red Sox 2004 World Series campaign because somehow, Penelope-like, I convinced myself that if I stopped knitting that specific scarf, the Red Sox would lose.)
May 16, 2012
My former best friend, another tortured sports fan, sent me this book, an absolutely hilarious examination of the psyche of those like me and my friend and the author, who take sports a little too seriously. Joe Queenan completely understands what sports fandom means, and this book is a must-read for anyone who has ever been told that sports are too important (and for the people who told them).
June 27, 2010
It was an easy read - I read it this afternoon. Overall, it was entertaining and had a page that referenced fan psychology literature. Discussed sports movies - including Celtic Pride which we both agreed only had one funny scene. Had to suffer through a chapter on Notre Dame...which can drop a book an entire star.
July 27, 2011
A hilarious book on sports in general and specifically, in America. I had previously read "White Trash, Red Lobster & The Blue Lagoon" and really enjoyed that too. Queenan is a clever and witty observer of American culture. Many of his observations had me howling with laughter.
July 15, 2016
Another terrific, highly entertaining, occasionally insightful, and surprisingly moving comedic rumination from a very funny writer. Well worth your time, particularly if you are a sports fan of a certain age, or just looking for multiple belly laughs in these toxic times.
April 4, 2007
A great, rambling, endlessly clever and quotable manifesto on sports and the pleasure in a love that is so often based on abject hatred.
January 6, 2008
Fantastic book recommended by a friend. I laughed out loud early and often while reading this book. If you enjoy sports at all, this book is worth the read.
March 13, 2009
I laughed, I felt his pain and absolutely LOVED this book!
August 16, 2009
Anyone who is an extreme sports fan and an extreme cynic will love this book.
May 28, 2010
Sports obsession BEFORE blogs and message boards. I'm sure fans have become more level-headed in recent years.
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July 24, 2011funny...and more thoughtful than most sports books
September 10, 2012
I think this is my favorite book, it's about male sports addiction. It's very funny.
August 23, 2014
Oh man, this book hits home.... I feel the authors pain...
January 31, 2019
I love Queenan’s writing but this was too sports-knowledge intensive for me. For a real sports fan, though, probably one of the best reads ever.
May 10, 2022
Finally!
Someone as sarcastic as me. Queenan is a......what's the next step after curmudgeon?
He's that.
Hugely enjoyable book, as are all of his writings.
Someone as sarcastic as me. Queenan is a......what's the next step after curmudgeon?
He's that.
Hugely enjoyable book, as are all of his writings.
July 18, 2022
Not one of his better outings.
November 21, 2025
If you love sports stats, then this is the book for you. LOL
February 19, 2021
Joe Queenan, a Philadelphia born Irish Catholic, chemically describes the perils and pleasures of being a sports fan. A truly entertaining book! Not to be missed especially if you are a sports fan.
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May 7, 2017A personal look at why sports fans persist despite repeated disappointments by a Philadelphia fan of all sports. The book may be a glorified column, or series of columns, rather than a book, and his opinions are often stated ad hominem, but it was interesting to read and nice to know I'm not the only person who questions his own sanity in this area. The book came out right after the Cubs' dramatic collapse in the 2003 NLCS, and 2 1/2 years later it still spoke to me.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews