Rams Reward Faithful Few With Victory
ANAHEIM — Cactus wrens and California gnatcatchers of the world, meet the Rams fan, the newest candidate for the endangered species list.
The Rams won their season opener Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, 14-12, but they also set an unenviable record in the process. Only 32,969 spectators showed up--for a home opener no less--and thereby attained the lowest attendance in the Rams’ 14-year history in Anaheim, breaking the previous record of 34,155 for last December’s game against Cleveland.
“We’re a dying breed,” season ticket holder Chris Graciano, 34, said before the game, his hand clenching his Rams helmet beer mug.
Even the luxury box for members of the Anaheim City Council had empty seats as only three councilmen showed up--and they got in free.
But the poor attendance was not because of the Rams’ record or a lack of support for the team, said Sally Feldhaus, whose husband, Frank, is a two-year council veteran.
“It’s because so many people had family plans for the holiday weekend,” she said, diplomatically choosing her words.
Perhaps the win will renew the long-suffering spirit of fans like Graciano and lure some more folks to jump on the bandwagon for the 49ers game in two weeks. Maybe a winning season--the first since 1990--will help build momentum to keep the Rams in Anaheim after all.
The team might move next year to Baltimore, St. Louis or Hartford, Conn.
But, regardless of the score, the real Rams fans were there Sunday.
“These are all the die-hards,” said parking lot attendant Sam Tortorella of Orange, 74, who had plenty of time to chat Sunday morning as the fans trickled in. “They make my job kind of easy today.”
Business was slow for a T-shirt vendor who identified himself as Ross A. of Los Angeles, who was hawking his goods in a parking lot.
“Ram fans, Ram fans, I’m looking for some Ram fans!” he shouted, holding up a blue and gold shirt. “Come on, I know you’re out there. I’ve got a special price today, only $5 ‘cause you’re Ram fans.”
Inside, Jeff Arney, Mike Fields and Steve O’Leary were entrenched at their usual Sunday post--the club level rail at the 30 yard line on the Rams side of the field. All are 10-year season ticket holders and Rams fans since the Coliseum days.
The threesome actually became friends bumping into each other at games.
“You can’t find any truer Ram fans than us right here, and even we are getting pretty frustrated,” said Fields, 36, a Simi Valley resident who drives in from Ventura County for every home game. “We’re getting tired of seeing them lose.”
“The fans used to be three deep at this spot,” said O’Leary, 42, of Rossmoor. “Now there’s just the three of us.”
Why do they keep coming? It’s partly a matter of loyalty, partly habit and partly a mystery, said Kim Blettel of Huntington Beach, a longtime season ticket holder decked out in full dress blue and gold.
“It’s kind of hard to explain,” Blettel said with a smile. “We’ve been frustrated, but we love the Rams.”
Rams lover Russ Wells of Covina--another confessed die-hard--bought eight season tickets this year and could only say “somebody’s got to support them.”
Yes, win or lose, the stalwart fans will still come and still see a silver lining in the land of the blue and gold.
“(Coach) Chuck Knox has a young team. It takes time to develop,” Graciano said. “If he can make the players believe in him, they’ll be fine.”
* DEFENSE PAYS: The Rams bullied Coach Buddy Ryan’s Arizona Cardinals. C1
