I'll preface this World Series discussion with my daughter by saying that I am guilty of indoctrination. I teach her to love the Padres and Chargers. I teach her to hate (in the context of sport) the Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, Raiders and Patriots. On the Indoctrination Front that's absolutely it. There's no religion, politics, or jingoism. With the exception of choosing teams to root for I believe wholeheartedly in free thinking . . .
Daughter: Daddy, I want one of your Padres bobbleheads.
Me: How about I get you a bobblehead for Christmas.
Daughter: Yes, I want 100!
Me: Well we don't have enough money to get you 100 bobbleheads. But I'll see what I can do.
Daughter: Cool.
Me: But if I get you a bobblehead you have to do something for me. You have to start watching more baseball.
Daughter: OK. When the season starts.
Me: No. It starts tonight. Game 1 of the Worlds Series. Giants versus the Tigers. The first one to win 4 games in the Champion. Tonight we watch and cheer AGAINST the Giants.
Daughter: Against?
Me: Yes. We're rooting AGAINST the Giants and FOR the Tigers. So we have to root for the Tigers tonight.
Daughter: Because they're America?
Me: Uh . . . yes. Because they're America.
Go Tigers. Do it for 'Merica!
