Analyzing Seattle Times; Sports

This is an analytical in-class assignment about an article from the Seattle Times. The article may be found here.

In Jerry Brewer's article, "Fanatomy: As a sports town, we’re underrated"--Brewer makes a case and defends Seattle sport's fans against other hardcore sport fanatics from mainly east coast cities. Brewer mentions several times throughout the article that Seattle is often perceived as caring more for their art museums than sports. He likes to emphasis the the perceived prejudice about Seattle is that they are more 'intellectual' (i.e. cultivating culture, independent bookstores, coffee enthusiasts) than the fist-pumping crowds in Pittsburgh or Boston.

The article chronicles past failures as well as recent wins when it comes to sports in Seattle--and that despite everything, the strongest thing in this town are the passionate fans that still show up for a game; even if it is raining. The longest running fanbase out of all the sport franchises in Seattle is of course University of Washington's football team, the Huskies.

Brewer appeals to the motivational side of what it takes to be a genuine sports fan from the Pacific Northwest. He emphasizes how fans, though they may not come off as enthused, have shown their fair share of taking their love of a team to extreme lengths. Brewer chronicles funny anecdotes of long-running jokes among fans: one story in particular about the coach from their archnemesis team in the 70s' and how they chased him throwing beer at him; and whenever the coach would come into town, it was requisite that they all threw beer at him. Such examples as these motivates the reader (who I would assume to be a Seattelite) to such heights that they would begin silently cheering throughout the rest of the article for their beloved hometown.

Brewer also manages to appeal to the audience's emotional side by showing another lovely example about an incident where the Sonics were beaten, and the area began playing an ironic Frank Sinatra song. People were not angry or upset, but some began laughing at the irony of it all. Seattelites have a good sense of humor, and Brewer understands this, so he inserts a humorous anecdote to make us love our city even more.

The author creates an environment that appeals to every Seattleite who loves sports; and he does a great job of it by not only assuring them that they shouldn't be number 52 and that they are not understated--but isntead manages to pump them up even more and prepare themselves for the next game.