The Fan Voice: "I Came, I Saw, I Got the 'Warlock' T-shirt!"

By Live or Die Magic | March 23rd, 2009

The best thing about the Magic Message Boards at Orlandomagic.com is being able to interact with fellow Magic fans and discuss our favorite team and players through the good times and the bad. The next best thing is being able to actually meet these people in person and establish friendships that go beyond rooting for the same NBA basketball team.

Such has been the case for many members of these boards since they were established over three years ago. Since that time, many of us have met other board members, either at games, or at school, or some other activity or function. So far, it appears that most of us are relatively normal people with jobs, families, and other daily responsibilities. It turns out that our affinity for the boys in blue is just one of the things we have in common.

While I can’t speak for everyone on the boards (I’m sure we all have our stories to share), I would like to tell you a little bit about a gathering of folks that I have met on the boards. We made plans to attend a game together and do a bit of tailgating beforehand. We selected the March 21st game against the New York Knicks because we were able to get a large group of tickets in the same section for that game. During the days leading up to the game we got the brilliant idea of creating a t-shirt to mark (or is that merk?) the occasion. Well, because all of us at the Magic Message Boards are responsible for the creation of one of the best and most unintentional nicknames ever, we figured we just had to create a “Warlock” t-shirt!

Despite very little planning or organization, we somehow all managed to make it to the surface parking lot on the North side of the Arena by around 5 PM. Tailgating for a Magic game seems to have not totally caught on yet. But that’s OK. We had a great time doing it for the Raptors first round playoff series last season, so we knew we’d be doing it again.

We had a large canopy tent set up, but within a half hour we had taken it down because of how windy it was. But we had a grill frying up some “Bubba Burgers,” some beer brats, some sausage, various bags of chips, and some delicious vegetables marinated in butter. Oh and yes, there was some adult beverages being consumed (it IS tailgating after all!). In addition to the requisite “energy drink + alcohol of choice” concoction, we also had some home brew affectionately labeled “The Warlock.” There was the “hi-test” variety (full of additional fermentable materials) and the “red” variety. Both varieties included bits of real bear (so you know it’s good!).

Shortly after we all had gathered, the box of absolutely awesome Warlock t-shirts was opened and we all put them on. This made our group of 20 or so people even easier to spot. We received some attention from a woman with a camera asking us if we wanted some photos taken for “the website.” We never did find out what website she was talking about. We also received some attention from a lady passing out small sample bags of dog treats. Perhaps it was the Warlock brew, or maybe the Amp and vodka, or maybe just the euphoria of being surrounded by his fellow MMB members, but one of us in the group decided to do something unexpected. Right in front of the lady handing out the samples, he opened up the bag and proceeded to eat the dog treats. The lady quickly turned and walked away. But hey, they have nutrients, fiber...I mean, what’s not to love? Still we needled the guy about it for the rest of the night.

We made sure to good naturedly heckle some Knicks fans as they walked by. The only Knick fan we need to give props to is the guy who was wearing the LeBron James Knicks jersey. Most might think him a dreamer, but I’d call him a realist.

The Magic’s very own Dan Savage made an appearance to document the occasion on film. We all gathered for a photo in front of the large Howard jersey blow-up thingy (the technical term) that was on the North lawn. Dan also took the time to meet and greet all the Magic Message Board members present.

The two hours of tailgating seemed to go by so fast. Pretty soon we were all heading in to the O-Rena. We were all wearing our “Warlock” t-shirts which continued to get tons of attention. Many of us were stopped and asked about the shirts. Some wanted to read the back of the shirt (it included the Polish-to-English translation that started the Warlock nickname, complete with Marc Acres 3:16’s famous line: “He’s training with freakin bears!”). It is somewhat sad to consider that there is a reasonable chance that this could be Marcin Gortat’s last season with the Magic. Even if this is his – and our – last hurrah, he will always be “The Warlock” to us. And those t-shirts will become collector’s items! For anyone curious, yes, there is talk of trying to get one of these shirts into Gortat’s hands.

We all had tickets in Sections 225 and 226. Because there were some empty seats in Section 225, most of us were able to actually sit together. We must have made quite the sight for those around us. We even had a couple of signs made that read “The Warlock” and also promoted the Magic-related blog site “The Puns Are Starting To Bore Me,” a site created by some of those in the group. Whenever Gortat was in the game or made a play, we stood up and screamed “the WARLOCK!” and made sure those around us saw the shirts. Thankfully, the less-exuberant Magic fans around us were extremely patient and tolerant of us. We’ve heard accounts from other Magic fans in attendance that night that we could be heard from down in the lower bowl.

Oh yeah, and the Magic won the game, partly due to the return of Rashard Lewis!

Such a good time was had by all that we have decided to attempt to get together again in the near future. If not for a game, then for some other kind of activity. One thing for certain, we will definitely be doing this again for the playoffs. I would strongly encourage any of you guys who’d like to have a good time and meet some fellow Magic fans before the games to stop on by and say hello on your way into the arena.

Please note: I have only told part of the story. I have left out the screen names of those that attended only because I want them to come in here and identify themselves and tell their own favorite anecdotes from that evening. It was truly a fun, shared experience, and I’d like that sharing to continue right in this space. Also, the more folks that participate, the more likely we are to have even more folks show up next time!


This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Live or Die Magic,

Great read and I will be there for the next one LOD.

Lets hope we all get to share in the glory which is the Warlock for many years to come

It's a shame to be sooooooo far from Orlando.... can you send me a Warlock shirt for consolation purpose?

JK, great story LODM, I had done the same in the past with the forum members of my favourite european team, and it went very well too.

I came, I saw, and LOD's home brewed beer didn't kill me. It was actually quite tasty.

I had a hell of a time. One of the funniest things was when JJ entered the game and almost everyone in the party started screaming for him like a 13 year old at a Jonas Brothers concert. You can't make stuff like that up.

Had a blast. BS'ing with everyone, chanting "Warlock" and "MVP" everytime Gortat so much as stepped on the court, discussing married life. Loved it all.

That two hours went by way to fast. Next time we need to start the party a little earlier.

Hi-test Warlock beer is top notch! Seriously, it was really good, one of the few home brews I have had that had both a distinctive, and pleasant taste. Impressive!

It was a great time, especially meeting some of the people that I had not met before, both message board members and others.

Happy to say that I saved someone's life on the way into the game. Well, okay, maybe not her life, but probably her face from being planted on that sidewalk. Gotta love a girl that shows her appreciation by buying you a drink.

Good times. Although I don't know if I agree "that most of us are relatively normal people."

quote:

Originally posted by WPMagic:
Good times. Although I don't know if I agree "that most of us are relatively normal people."

Key word: "relatively."

i was there at the end, it was pretty cool, warlock beer is very good.

Great tailgate! Warlock beer was awesome as usual and The Shirt drew a huge amount of attention. Had one Magic team employee give me a business card in hopes the person who made them will contact him so he can get one.

Knicks fans are a lot nicer taking harrassment from 20 people in matching "Warlock" shirts. One even purchased beverages in the Arena for myself and HighClassTrash after challenging us to name five Magic players on this roster other than Gortat. After proceeding to name the whole current roster, we went on to the training camp roster, summer league team and 89 expansion team roster before he offered to buy us drinks after realizing he had challenged the wrong fans.

I fully expect "The MMB Tailgate" to be returning for the first weekend playoff game.

I was there..I got my shirt...I made signs, and it was overall and simply awesome...People really need to swing by next time we do this.

The Warlock Beer was great. I am not a beer drinking and I could drink that thing all night long if I had more.

I watched the game from the comfort of my own computer screen. And by watch, I mean I waited patiently to see if ESPN's animated basketball went into the hoop or bounced out.

Meanwhile, there might have been actual NBA players no less than 4 hours from my very location! Joy!

anyone have a pic of the shirt?

I'm sure there are some around here somewhere...

How can you make a thread, brag about Warlock t-shirt and not post pics?! This is ban worthy!