Red Sox Fandom Springs Eternal

According to this year's Turnkey (mmm, turkey) Team Brand Index, the Green Bay Packers have the most rabid fan base of any pro football, baseball, hockey, or basketball franchise in America. Our beloved Red Sox came in second.

While I'm not doubting the amount of passion an adult must feel to be willing to wear a block of styrofoam cheese on his or her head, this doesn't seem quite right. Let's review the methodology.

The online survey measured such things as team popularity, fan loyalty and assessments of owners. It asked participants about their perceptions of teams — How entertaining it is to attend games? Is the organization’s appreciation of fans genuine? Does the team have likable players?

I'm guessing the company didn't ask fans whether or not they had the opportunity to be buried in a coffin bearing their favorite team's logo, because otherwise the Red Sox would have ranked higher.

In yet another disclaimer-free Red Sox culture story, the Globe reports that the MLB has allowed a coffin company to use the Red Sox logo (and other MLB team logos) on its products. Green Bay Packers fans have to spiff up their own coffins, since Google doesn't turn up any companies that have the right to use an NFL franchise's logo on its urns.

To me, the fact that the MLB allowed this proves that Red Sox Nation is clearly more passionate about its team than are Packers fans. Although I choose not to dwell too long on the fact that the same company that makes the Sox coffins also makes caskets for Trekkies and urns for cat ashes. We're enthusiastic—not socially awkward fanatics like nerds and cat ladies. Right?!