Passion is a strange thing.

When there is a genuinely strong interest in something, it can lead to complete disregard of common sense and reason.

For instance, a passion for gambling can lead a person to bet with money he doesn’t have. Even worse, it can lead to his betting on English Premiere League soccer.

Being passionate about partying can lead to a person walking aimlessly from house to house, looking for a fresh keg of High Life.

A passion for the show “Passions” won’t allow someone to schedule afternoon classes that conflict with the “stories.”

Such is my passion for the White Sox.

After beating the Twins 2-1 in 10 innings, the Sox are back to 30 games over .500 (77-47).

30 wins over .500 should give a fan a feeling of relaxation – it’s a nice buffer.

However, as the Sox have scuffled as of late, (3-7 in their last 10 games), my passion for the team has caused some irrational responses.

First, there was anger.

The Sox’s pitchers weren’t getting calls, and opposing pitchers had figured out White Sox bats.

Ken Griffey Jr. wasn’t available, Scott Podsednik had strained muscles, and Carl Everett was searching the Bible for evidence of a stegosaurus.

Then came sadness.

Maybe the Sox weren’t going to even win the division. Maybe I wasted $30 on that hat I bought last time I went to the Cell. I want them to be a contender so badly and seeing them scuffle brings a mist to my eyes (not unfamilar to my reaction to the last five minutes of ‘Rudy’ – the most emotionally manipulative movie of our time).

But after the anger and the sadness comes the sobering feeling of acceptance.

It’s the realization that maybe this isn’t the Sox’s year.

The team does have its shortcomings, like a short stop who swings harder than anyone else alive (contact is strictly coincidental). No one is batting above .300, and the pitching staff has been too good to be true.

But, thankfully, none of this matters.

Fans can bemoan their favorite teams, but the reality is that the players don’t care what we think.

What does matter is that the White Sox think they can win the World Series.

Is it delusional? Maybe. But they believe.

And when it comes to a team I’m passionate about, I can’t ask for more than that.

Dan Woike is a senior journalism major who’s also passionate about “Laguna Beach.” Tell him it’s creepy to watch a show about such hot, tanned high school seniors at [email protected].