To the Editor:

I’m more than a little insulted at the attitudes of your columnists regarding the Leafs and, in particular, their fans. I think they have the wrong idea, especially Nancy Gray. I don’t object because she roots for Ottawa; I object because had Ottawa managed to beat Toronto, I would have been front and centre cheering for Ottawa or any other Canadian team that made it to the finals.

I’ve stayed a Leafs fan even when they were Quebec Nordiques-bad. Do I shoot down anyone who wants to cheer for Montreal, Edmonton or Ottawa? No; it’s the fan’s choice to cheer for whomever they want.

Like any Leafs fan, I start each season hoping this will be their year, and I never end up disappointed. If they don’t win, they have next year, and the year after that. I don’t watch them because I demand that they win and I won’t pick another team if they lose. I cheer for the team — win or lose, rain or shine — because I am a true fan.

The Sens might well be the most skilled team this season and good for them. But I resent the implication that when a team is better they deserve my support and I especially resent someone telling me who I should cheer for. For years, the Boston Red Sox let their fans down and they still have the most supportive fan base in baseball. The Leafs are the same.

It may well be that this won’t be their year. But the reason Leafs fans are still here and loud is because they are true blue.

Melissa Williams

Master’s Library and Information Studies

Editor’s Note: To be true blue is to be a Leafs fan after they were defeated by the Sens 8-0.