< Hey Sports Fans! >

[RiverNotch]

The use of irony always involves the danger of being taken literally, but because of this ambiguity,
it can sometimes make the point more powerfully. (Reminds me of the quote: "Irony is a sword
without a handle." Meaning that those who use it run the danger of cutting their own hands.) 

I would say it's my mistake, but it's more you're doubly right, that I've encountered enough callousness online for this to seem literal in my first few readings, even forgetting that some of the things I write could probably be taken the same wrong way. Though, just to be clear, I was seeking to deliver critique, not cancellation, albeit critique that in this light is somewhat useless xD