This week’s “Sports Illustrated” is mostly about the best picks for your fantasy football season. Of course, you “fantasy freaks” are in the middle of the fantasy baseball season. Millions of people engage in the fantasy world of sports.

What are the social implications of this? Has it always been an attraction for people that has grown exponentially given the power of the Internet? Is it an indicator of the huge attraction to sports in our society?

What is the attraction of the fantasy world, really? Is our life so plain and uninteresting that we need this activity? I am not being critical of those who participate. I am just wondering.

There has always been a portion of the sports fan crowd that is made up of “wannbe’s” and “never-was’s”. There are others who played a sport in high school or college and just love the action. There are people who have made following certain teams a family affair. Then there are those that put the fanatic in fan.

When I look at my interests now as a sports fan it isn’t much about a particular team or teams. It is usually about certain people on those teams. I am attracted to people with exceptional skill and fully expressed talent.

I am interested in people who consistently show the ability to compete at high levels regardless of the circumstances. I can especially be a fan of someone who knows how to win and lose gracefully. Someone who shows respect for teammates and opponents.

The foundation for any relationship is respect. Play whatever turns you on. No matter what it is, respect the game, the competitors and yourself. No one always wins.

Go to lulu.com and get your copy of Coach Todd’s “The Art of Losing”.