Who are the most optimistic fans in the world? Cubs fans? They do seem to hang in there year after year, despite not winning a championship in 102 years.  To put that into perspective, the following did not exist the last time the Cubs won: the NFL, the NBA, Al Gore, the Internet, television, and iTunes (the Rolling Stones, however, did exist.).

Would the answer be Prairie View football fans?  They lost 80 games in a row during the 90′s. Going to those games had to be the equivalent of watching a live performance of 28 Days Later, only gorier. I suspect season ticket holders had to be the same 200-300 people who rented the straight to video sequels of Children of the Corn.

No, I think we can crown a new Champion of Baseless Sports Optimism. This isn’t even a contest folks. The new title goes to the Russian Soccer Fans. That’s right, kickball – I mean soccer, has produced the most optimistic fans in the universe. Of course, the cold temperatures and the high rates of alcoholism have contributed to this prestigious award. How else can you explain that in a recent study, 8% of Russians believe they have a chance at winning the World Cup -despite the fact that the Russians didn’t even qualify! That’s optimism folks!

Other results of the survey found that 2% of Russians believe Turkey will win, despite also not having a team qualify. 12% of Russians believe that Drago was hosed by the judges in Rocky IV and 17% were too drunk to finish the survey.  100% of those surveyed found the vuvuzela to be an annoying musical instrument that should be banned from all sporting events.

Carry on, Citizens!