Friday Rock Out - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' "Matatdor"

As we close out another week with some rockin' inspiration, we dedicate this week's musical selection to the awesome Venezuelan fans who made their way to the Rogers Centre for last weekend's WBC first round. We were in attendance at the U.S.'s blowout of Venezuela on Sunday, and we can't say enough about how much fun the South American brought to the usually sedate Dome.

Unfortunately, we North Americans are a little too quick to indulge in ironic detachment and empty-headed snark when it comes to sports. It seems at times as though there is an unspoken competition to see who can be the first off the bandwagon in any given game, and we can usually be sure that we'll have the chance to listen to some fatuous jackass in our section piling onto the home team within the first inning, if not during the announcement of the lineups.

These are the same sorts of people who will be calling into Wilner within the season's first week and stating their intention to give up on the season, because it is hopeless.

What we so admired about the Venezuelans in attendance that night (or indeed, any of the Latin American crowds that we've seen throughout the tournament) is that regardless of how far they have fallen behind, or how dire the circumstances look, they're still on their feet, dancing and singing and chanting. They're beating on drums and cowbells and blowing whistles and generally rooting for their team through to the last out.

They don't care if it's not rational, because they aren't there to be rational. They are there to be passionate supporters for their side.

That's not to say that there aren't vociferous fans in Toronto at some games. But unfortunately, the loud and boisterous fans tend to be drunken hecklers who randomly heap barely coherent scorn towards the field. Sadly, people seem to have lost sight of the distinction between sarcasm and wit.

So here's to our Venezuelan amigos, and all the Latin fans who kick our asses when it comes to representing for their teams. More cowbell, indeed.

¡Qué tenga un buen fin de semana!