If there is anything most loved in the entire world, it’s in the sports world.

Having lived in St. Louis for so long, you start to notice how sports fans become so attached to their teams.

I know; I’m one of them.

First and foremost, St. Louis is famous for its “so-called” football team, the Rams. It was such a big deal when they won the Superbowl, but now the team can’t seem to keep its act together.

Who cares?

Quarterback Kurt Warner is like the hockey player Eric Lindros. Pinch him, and oh my goodness, he is out for the rest of the season with a bruise. Are you an athlete or a baby?

Who knows how many fans actually watch the Rams play? My parents grew up watching the Cleveland Browns. At least there is a team to root for; the team actually does try its best unlike the Rams.

Enough about football, baseball, a national pastime, is more popular amongst the St. Louis Cardinals fans than football is. Going to the game, eating hot dogs and peanuts and scoring the game makes it enjoyable for fans at every game.

It’s easy to say when you think of the Cardinals, you think of Mark McGwire and the home-run race. If you were to walk up to a fan and ask, “Where were you when McGwire hit his 62nd home run?” They could probably tell you where they were exactly – at home watching the game on the television.

His 500th home run of all time was memorable, too (I was at Kiel Center for the St. Louis Vipers roller hockey game and watching the home run on the Jumbo Tron).

When he left, the team went down the drain. They were doing so well, and the fans always came by the ballpark, wearing their colors of red and white to support the Cardinals.

Lastly, the team I most admire – the St. Louis Blues. The hockey team with a goal to win the Stanley Cup.

For 24 years straight, the team and its fans have celebrated as the Blues and have gone to the playoffs, setting a record in the National Hockey League. This year marks the 25th year of making it to the playoffs.

Everyone in St. Louis has said, “I bleed blue.” That is definitely true.

Without the fans, there would be no sports in St. Louis. The fans keep the teams alive.

Keep the spirit alive.

That’s why Sporting News named St. Louis the Best Sports City in 2000.