So people often wonder why my sports allegiances are so geographically diverse. No, I wasn't a military brat, though I am currently active duty in the Air Force. Here's the story:

Giants - I spent the first 24 years of my life within the same 250-mile radius centered on the San Francisco Bay Area. Born in Burlingame, raised in Daly City and Vallejo, college in Davis, and tech school in Monterey. The Giants have been the team that's stuck the most with me, and outside of my family are the strongest connection I have with my native land. Combined with my intense hatred of anything connected to Los Angeles, my devotion is strong...and the Dodgers suck. A fan since I can remember.

Crimson Tide - When I was 6 I visited my uncle down in Lucedale, MS, an enclave close enough to the MS/AL border that I didn't know the difference. Since they didn't have any pro teams in the area, and the Saints just suck, my uncle bought me an Alabama football jersey (#21) as a memento of our visit. Plus, as a 6-year-old I didn't think there wasn't anything much cooler than a football team with the jersey numbers on their helmets. I still think it's cool to this day. Roll Tide, since 1988.

Avalanche - I was a big fan of Sandis Ozolinsh when he was with the Sharks, though I didn't watch much hockey back then. When I really became a fan was during Colorado's first Cup run, when I watched Ozolinsh score a game winning goal for the Avs in a playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks. I watched them to the Cup that year, and combined with my residual hatred for the Red Wings, made me into an Avs fan, since 1996.

Kings - Please see above, re: my intense hatred of anything connected to LA. Became a follower while I was in college at Davis, and was all over the Kings' spirited yet ill-fated crusades against the Lakers, with C-Webb, Bibby, Peja, and co. Been rooting for them through feast and famine (mostly famine, it seems). A fan of the Kings since 2002.

Bluejays - After getting stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in NE, I enrolled at Creighton University graduate school. At first I didn't understand what the whole Jays basketball thing was all about, until I attended a game at the Qwest Center. The CWS might cause a lot of excitement in Omaha, but Jays basketball is the main attraction with an actual connection to the town. Thusly I've been a fan, since 2008 (although I haven't been able to be much of a fan since I've moved away).