Well it looks like the Sox have acquired a new fan... His name is Tim (SoCalSox619). Tim has been a lifelong Padres fan but in recent years he became frustrated with the direction of the Padres organization. With this in mind Tim sent a formal letter to all 30 MLB clubs explaining that his fan loyalty was on the market. He was officially a “fan free agent”.

Here is the letter he sent:

--------------------------

To whom it may concern:

I would like to start off by saying that I am a die-hard baseball fan. Until recently, I considered myself a life-long fan of the San Diego Padres. Some of my earliest memories are going to Padres games and to spring training with my family.

However, after the recent events with Padres ownership and management, I have come to the conclusion that they are doing a huge disservice not only to their fans but to the community as well. You must agree that decades-long Padres fans – such as myself – have had plenty to bemoan, and precious little to celebrate. The final straw was trading away my favorite player, letting the fan favorite closer leave town (and letting the door hit him on the way out), and actively trying to sell their highest trading chip. My loyalty has been strained before, but only now have I reached certain conclusions.

People say that baseball is a business. I realize that sometimes certain things, however unpopular, must be done for the greater good. It is my belief though, that fans need not be passive participants in this business. I buy apparel and concessions, contribute to television ratings, and help build excitement with my fellow fans by talking up the team and its players. Indeed, without fans like me, the baseball economy would fall apart!

I am writing to you today to inform you that my loyalty as a fan is officially for sale. It was, perhaps, foolish of me to have been giving it away freely for so long. I want to throw my support behind a team that has a commitment to winning. I will buy a jersey (perhaps you can recommend one), go out of my way to attend as many games as possible, including spring training. I will watch what games I cannot attend on television. I will vigorously defend your franchise to my friends, family, colleagues, and on the internet.

In exchange for my loyalty, I ask only two things. First, an explanation of why I should choose the [insert team name here] over other Major League teams?  Second, a New Era team baseball cap (size 7 5/8) –  to help me get started on my journey.

Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you,

Tim

--------------------------

Tim put this letter in the mail he figured it would land in some mail room and collect dust. In most cases he may have been correct but approximately two weeks after he sent his letter he received the following letter from the Boston Red Sox:

I blurred out the full names and Tim's mailing address.

Included with this letter from the Boston Red Sox was a bag of dirt from Fenway Park, a few Red Sox stickers and some player photos. Needless to say "Red Sox Nation" now has a new member residing in Southern California.

Here is a link to his profile page: http://www.sawxheads.com/profile/57872