The Finer Points of the "O" Chant

Well, as long as I have been going to Baltimore and Washington sporting events (professional and collegiate), the "O" has become a part of the lexicon.

However, a lot of Washingtonians don't like hearing the "O" during the National anthem, because they find it disrespectful and obnoxious -- however, there's one big reason --- Peter Angelos.

Bob Cohn of the Washington Times writes an interesting piece on the issue, and here's a few passages that caught my attention...

"It's something that's been bugging me for a long time," said Mike Rucki, a longtime Washington Capitals fan and co-founder of OnFrozenBlog.com, a hockey Web site that provides a forum for those of a similar mind. "Just because it's a tradition doesn't mean it's a good tradition."

also...

"It's a baseball thing," Mr. Rucki said. "It's an Orioles thing. What goes on at Camden Yards should stay at Camden Yards."

and...

"I do not scream the 'O.' Absolutely not," he said. "I actually love the national anthem. I love it as a song. It's a beautiful song. But I don't like the 'O' thing. I think it's kind of obnoxious and disrespectful to the singer. ... Let them do it at Orioles games. I vote no on the 'O.' "

and...

When it comes to the "O," the problem is strictly geographical. Like creeping fescue, or a rash, it even has spread beyond D.C. environs to places like Blacksburg, Va., the home of Virginia Tech.

finally...

Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, meanwhile, knows all about the "O," but he doesn't want to hear it. He said in Dallas, where he grew up, Cowboys, Rangers and Mavericks fans don't yell "STARS!" during the anthem — even though they represent the same city as the hockey team.

"If you go to a Nationals game, you probably shouldn't say it," he said. "It's a Baltimore Orioles tradition. It's a cool tradition, but if you're there to watch the Nationals, save it for the Orioles."

Personally, I've been split on this issue, as while it is a rite of passage for Oriole fans, fans of other teams have found it asinine to do during the anthem (especially New Yorkers).

Growing up here, I'm indifferent, I think it's a good thing and helps to rally the troops, but the mature person in me sometimes think, fans should refrain from doing so.

I do know one thing, now that the Nationals are in Washington, I have now seen the utter disdain towards the "O" chat grow and grow.

I don't know, what do you all think?