One of my biggest pet peeves is writers, talk show hosts, and sports media members who know nothing about a particular sport but suddenly position themselves as experts when something news worthy happens (see Wilbon, Michael after a hockey fight). So I won’t pretend to be a huge MLS fan, or even a big soccer enthusiast for that matter. But I watched FC Dallas play for the MLS cup on Sunday night, and did so for one reason. Hope. I watched the entire game, looking for proof that former mayor Laura Miller one individual did not have the power to curse our sports franchises despite prematurely leaked parade routes and preventing Dallas residents from voting on whether or not they wanted a certain stadium built here. Instead of finding hope, however, I found George John, who apparently decided his career would be better served as an allegory for Dallas sports in the Aughts. For all Dallas fans who feel teased, gutted, and angry, I can truly say I feel your pain. But in this season of unmitigated turkey-slaughtering, let us remember that things could be much, much worse. With that in mind, I present to you a cornucopia of reasons to be thankful that you live and love Dallas Sports.

The Texas Rangers

This one is easy. You will never forget where you were when Neftali Feliz struck out Alex Rodriguez to give the Rangers their first AL Pennant in team history. You will think about “the fan” who mocked Nelson Cruz and how he probably left the game in the seventh inning because his beloved Yankees were out-matched in their home park. I will remember refreshing Twitter every 30 seconds during the bankruptcy auction, and the joy I felt when I first learned that the Greenberg/Ryan group now owned the club. Josh Hamilton winnning the MVP. Feliz winning Rookie of the Year. The Claw and Antlers. Dallas fans, be thankful that the Rangers are in the running for Cliff Lee, and will make a serious run at Zack Greinke. The future is bright. The Ballpark is spectacular. The Texas Rangers are contenders.

The Dallas Mavericks

Maverick fans will always wonder what might have been. 2006 will forever haunt Dallas loyalists, many of whom continue to cry “foul” (though not nearly as often as Bennett Salvatore). First, Maverick fans, let me remind you that you are not alone. But if that does not ease your suffering, remember that in 1998, The Dallas Mavericks traded Robert “Tractor” Traylor to the Milwaukee Bucks for Pat Garrity. As if Garrity’s illustrious Mavericks career isn’t reason enough to be thankful, it is also worth noting that the Mavs acquired a young, raw Euro in the deal named Dirk Nowitzki. Simply put, it has been a pleasure to watch Dirk play for the past 12 years, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Remember when he took an elbow to the mouth and lost a tooth in a playoff game against San Antonio? Or when Carl Landry embedded parts of 3 teeth into Dirk’s elbow? Remember his drive to the bucket and 1 that forced overtime against the Spurs in game 7 of the 2006 Western Conference Finals? You should. Do not waste time picking his game apart and trying to find his flaws. He may be the greatest basketball player the Mavericks will ever have. Enjoy him.

The Dallas Cowboys

The Aughts have not been good to America’s Team. One playoff win. A disappointing home playoff loss to the Giants. Right now, the team that had dreams of playing for a championship in their own stadium sits at 3-8 and has lost virtually all hope of making the playoffs. Why be thankful? For starters, living in Dallas (or being born here) gives you privileged status as a legitimate Cowboy fan, as opposed to being one of the millions of “step-fans” who only like the Cowboys because it’s cool to like the Cowboys. Unless you live in Pittsburgh, you are a fan of the most successful franchise in the NFL (and you have the distinct advantage of not living in Pittsburgh). You never have to worry about TV black-outs or threats of relocation, and rarely are you subjected to the Fox “C Team” announcers. You have a legitimate quarterback, 2 budding superstars at wide receiver, a hall-of-fame caliber tight end, and a dominant pass rusher. But perhaps most importantly, a true Cowboy fan is never bored. The team is either a contender 0r in crisis, and that lack of middle ground means that there is no room for apathy.

The Dallas Stars

We are thankful for the Stars because they are the only other major Dallas sports franchise (with apologies to the Sidekicks) to hoist a championship trophy. When the franchise moved here from Minnesota, I knew very little about hockey. Thanks to the Stars, I now know that hockey is the second-best Canadian export ever (behind only their special brand of bacon. Sorry, Celine Dion). I love hockey fights, hockey sweaters, and I would argue that there is nothing more exciting in all of sports than overtime playoff hockey. I am thankful I learned that in 1999, a player was allowed to have his skate in the crease while controlling the puck. I am thankful Hull had control of the puck. I am thankful that the Stars are currently a young team with great talent and a bright future.

FC Dallas

Again, I won’t insult your intelligence and pretend to be an expert on MLS soccer. But I know the team is on the rise. I know that, like the Rangers, they played for their league championship and the league MVP was on their roster. (Feel free to use the comments section to further educate me on FC Dallas.)

Yes, the Aughts have been a tough time for Dallas sports fans. But in this season of giving thanks and counting blessings, remember that things could be much, much worse. Be grateful for your Rangers, Cowboys, Stars, Mavericks, and FC Dallas, franchises. Because you could live in Cleveland.