Why we love the underdog

As I watched Butler play Duke on Monday night I could not help but go back a couple weeks to my posting on becoming a Duke fan. In that posting I talked about how clean of a program Duke ran, how their coach never got in trouble with the NCAA, and basically how they should be the model by which all other programs should follow. Even Brad Stevens, the new 'it' coach in the NCAA, admitted to reading Coach K's books. This should have been another crowning achievement for Duke and secured its spot as one of the elite programs ever in NCAA men’s basketball. But instead, all anyone will remember about this tournament is the Butler Bulldogs. When asked to remember one memorable play from the final game, everyone will talk of the missed 3 desperation shot at the buzzer by baby faced Gordan Hayward that would have been the most dramatic shot in sports history. I racked my brain and could not think of a defining play by a Duke player in the final few minutes of the game? Which got me to thinking: what makes the underdog in sports so appealing? Here are my reasons with specific examples from recent history.

1. We love surprises

One of the all time best endings to a movie was watching Kevin Spacey's limp disappear as he walked down the street at the conclusion of The Usual Suspects. For 2 hours, we were trying to figure out who Keyser Soze was. As the realization came over the audience that Spacey's character had tricked us for the entire movie, it made the movie that much better. We told friends that the ending of Usual Suspects was amazing. You'll never figure out the twist, etc.... There are so many movies that go according to plan (Avatar, Spiderman, Transformers, anything featuring Hugh Grant) that we love to be shocked.

The same goes for sports. While we can appreciate dominance, there is nothing like a good surprise. Sure we enjoyed watching North Carolina march to the crown last season. They were so talented that they could have given the Raptors a run for their money. But watching a team defy odds like the Butler Bulldogs did this year kept us coming back for more. Hearing the news that Butler beat Syracuse puts a jolt in our day. Hearing that Duke beat Purdue just makes us nod and suspect that this is how it should be. Take out the 'surprise' factor in sports and you lose a ton of the suspense.

2. There is something in all of us that relates to the underdog

Whether it was the time that you got to dance with the cute girl that you thought was way out of your league or the time you unexpectedly made a team when you didn't think you could, we have all been the underdog at some point in our lives. There is a part of us who relates. I cannot remember a time when a favorite all of a sudden had a bandwagon effect and everyone started getting on board. Its in our nature to relate to the underdog.

Take Conan O'Brien for example. This past winter he was involved in one of the weirdest entertainment situations in recent memory. He was given the Tonight Show in Los Angeles, taking over for Jay Leno. He had always been self deprecating but now he had finally been recognized as the new face of NBC late night television. Than something weird happened. NBC was not getting the ratings they needed from Leno in his new prime time slot and they decided to move him back to the Tonight Show slot. This started a riot in Conan land, with everyone picking sides and turning against Leno and backing Conan. The funny thing is if those fans would have been loyal to Conan when he was in the Tonight Show slot this situation would have never occurred. There is no way NBC moves the shows around if Conan was getting good ratings. But instead, all the 'loyal' followers jump on board when all of a sudden he is in the 'underdog' role again. Everyone wants the little guy to succeed until he does. If Butler goes on a run again next year, they won't be America's team. They had their shot. If you’re not sure about this, ask Gonzaga.

3. We love to see people fail

Underdogs don't fail. They have no expectations so failure isn't an option. As discussed in my Tiger Woods post a couple weeks ago, the only thing American sports fans like more than a success story is that same success to fail. We would have loved to see the Blue Devils stymied by little Butler the other night only to see the disappointment on their faces. Failure means coaches have to explain their actions. Tom Izzo has to explain why he put the ball in Dancing Bear's hands 20 ft from the hoop when they needed a basket. Grady Little has to explain why he left Pedro in 1 inning too long. Marc Crawford has to explain how he could not have included Wayne Gretzky in the shootout in the 98' Olympics. Wayne Gretzky has to explain how a Canadian team could not win the 06' Olympics. We love to see people squirm and fail.

I think this is due to the fact that we all fail so often. It makes us feel better when someone else fails. Just like we relate to the underdog we relate to the failure. If people never fail we start to become jealous and root against them. Tiger's bandwagon will grow now that he has more doubters. If he is challenging this Sunday at the Masters, he will have hordes of people rooting for him. For the first time in his life, he may be the underdog!

Next time you are watching a game, whether it be the NHL playoffs, NBA playoffs, or the Masters this weekend, ask yourself why you are all of a sudden rooting for a particular team. Is it sympathy? Do you relate to them? Or are you just secretly hoping to see an epic failure that makes you feel better about the times you've tripped up. I know Brad Stevens has no explaining to do today about his decisions down the stretch. In fact, the only decision he has to make is whether to chase the money to Oregon or stay put as the local hero in Indianapolis. Oh the life of the underdog!

Mailbag

Heading into the season with optimism is a new feeling for me. Well I loved my time in Toronto I cannot believe the real hope I have here in Philly. I haven't been paying too much attention to the Blue Jay's offseason moves but could you give me a quick update?

Roy, Philadephia, PA

RWC:

The joy of being a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Their best pitcher is now pitching in the NL East for an ultra competitive bunch that has another chance to win a pennant and challenge for the World Series while his former team goes into yet another rebuilding phase. Every spring I try to talk myself into the Blue Jays and every summer I am left disappointed. Heading into the 2010 season with a core of Adam Lind, Aaron Hill, Vernon Wells, and Lyle Overbay does not overly excite this fan. What makes me more depressed is the starting rotation being anchored by Ricky Romero and a bullpen closed by Jason Frasor. If new GM Alex Anthopoulos is serious about rebuilding these Jays will be awful for a solid 2 seasons. All that we can hope for is Vernon Wells to play lights out for about 2 months so we can unload him and his awful salary to a contender. Enjoy your playoff race Roy, you'll be missed in Canada.

How come the media is all over me saying that I'm not an easy guy to get along with? All I ever did was deliver 2 super bowl rings to a city desperate for them and lead the Steelers through their most successful stretch in 30 years? What have I done to deserve this treatment?

Ben, Pittsburgh, PA



RWC:

If you are looking for sympathy Ben, you are barking up the wrong tree (or knocking on the wrong bathroom door, whichever you prefer). Heavy is the head that wears the crown and your large head is hanging pretty low. With reports surfacing from Pittsburgh now that Big Ben is tough to deal with and not well liked in his own locker room it would almost appear the Steelers are preparing an exit strategy for the beleaguered qb. But could you blame them? This is the third offseason where Roethlisberger has been a major distraction to the organization (notice I said organization, not team. The rest of the guys don't care, they just go about their business and hope he doesn't show up 30 pounds overweight again.) The guy you are paying millions of dollars to be the face of the franchise just cannot be getting into as much trouble as Roethlisberger has been. Regardless whether he is charged or not, the last month or so of headlines are not what championships are made of. Is it time to usher in the Tim Tebow era in Pittsburgh? Although, if this doesn't win over fans, I don't know what would!

How come everyone is hating on us? Neutral fans show up at our games rooting against us? All we have ever done is play hard and happen to win 76 straight games?

Connecticut Women's Basketball Team, Storrs, CN

RWC:

It's tough being on top. The only team that I can think of that was universally liked going through a dominant stretch like this was the Chicago Bulls and that's cause women loved Michael Jordan and almost all men wanted to be him. The Connecticut women do not have the same appeal. When you win the Elite 8 by 40 points you are going to get people cheering against you. America loves a good upset and they love to build people/teams up only to see them fail. You simply cannot have it both ways. Either you are the lovable losers or the big bad bullies rampaging through the NCAA tournament field. Understand that while you may not be universally liked right now, you will be remembered as arguably the best team in the history of sports. Or you'll be remembered as the team involved in the greatest upset in team sport. Either way you'll be remembered!


How come we are no good? I thought I had assembled a cast of players that no one could touch? Is my job in jeopardy?

Darryl, Calgary, AB



RWC:

Oh Darryl, this isn't like you to wallow in self pity. Just because your overpaid cast of stiffs can't get in the playoffs doesn't mean you are a complete failure. Look at it this way. You have them to thank for the past 5 years of a free pass that you have received. Lets go back in time for a second.

2003/04 - Flames make it within 1 game of Lord Stanley's Cup, losing a heartbreaker in 7 games to the Lightning. You get universal praise for making all the right moves (especially discovering Kipper). Iginla is the best player in the NHL, the next Mark Messier.

20004/05 - Lockout

2006 - 2009 - First round exits to Anaheim, Detroit, San Jose, and Chicago. You make little tweaks but take 4 years to realize that the core of Kipper, Iginla, Regher, and Phaneuf are simply not good enough. Also during that time you draft the following players in the first round: Kris Chucko, Matt Pelach, Leland Irving, Mikael Backlund, Greg Nemisz, and Tim Erixon. Not exactly a murderers row of prospects. On top of this, you killed your teams chemistry last year with the Jokinen trade, letting go Mike Cammalleri at the same time and than getting the poo poo platter of Kris Higgins and Ales Kotalik a year later for Jokinen. Essentially you have been granted immunity for the past 5 years due to one cup run and the promise of more. You must have pictures on ownership because they still love you and you bought yourself another year since you hired your brother. They can't get rid of both of you in one year. So enjoy this offseason for it will surely be your last unless your group of overrated and overpaid donkeys figure out a way to win games.

How come I get constantly overlooked when the conversation of best basketball coaches in America comes up? All I've ever done is win games, not get into trouble with the NCAA, and produce solid NBA players? Can I get some respect?

Tom, East Lansing, MI

RWC:

Coach Izzo, you will get the respect for the next 100 words or so. And I'm not even sure its you writing this email. It doesn't fit your personality. Not only are you one of the best coaches in America, you are one of the most respected amongst your peers. I think the reason you don't get the recognition is that you have stayed out of the limelight. You haven't had any real 'star' players over the past 7 or 8 years, you build your team around a personality that you like (hardworking, defensive, team first players). You have flirted with changing positions but always remained faithful to the Spartans. Your players do not get into trouble with the law or with the NCAA for the most part. You are just to consistent. Even this weekend there is more talk about Huggins turning around WVU or Coach K making it back to the final four, or the 32 year old whiz kid Brad Stevens taking Butler to the dance. You are getting overshadowed again. Its just not fair.

Allow me to say that if I were to hire any coach in America to run my basketball program it would be you. I love the way your teams play, I love the way you treat your kids, and you consistently produce a winner.

So, what did you think of my arm? Should the Rams take me first overall?

Sam, Norman, OK

RWC:

I think your arm looked great yesterday Sam, but I don' think the Rams should take you first overall. They have way too many holes to fill that I would be worried about putting you behind their O-line with your surgically repaired shoulder. I think they should trade down with Washington as was suggested by Peter King yesterday and start filling some of those holes withe extra draft picks. This has nothing to do with you Sam, but everything to do with the Rams. There is a willing dance partner (Washington Redskins) who would love to make a big splash on draft day and the Rams could tread water for another year at the qb position with Marc Bulger. Either way, I do believe your name will be the first announced on draft day. You have bulked up (13 extra pounds) and have shown yourself to be healthy If I were you I would be insulted that some are mentioning Jimmy Claussen in the same category. Does no one remember your 50 td/4int heisman year? Does no one remember your accuracy and velocity on all NFL type throws? You are heads and shoulders better than any other qb in the draft and it'll show when you step onto an NFL field this fall.