Seems like this time every year, either Aaron, Derek or Justin motivates me to get back in the blogging game. This time, I'm not making any promises about posting regularly.
Like the tagline says, I'll post when I get around to it.
My first recorded post will be a rant, sure to be added upon at future dates, against Boston Red Sox fans.
I myself am a Red Sox fan. Up until 2003, I enjoyed the company of other people who called themselves "Red Sox fans." Most were real, longtime fans who had some sense of the team's history and hardship. The threads on their "B" hats were worn and dirty and they brought mini radios to games, sat in the centerfield bleachers and cheered (and booed) only when necessary.
I can pinpoint when it changed. It was the release of the movie "Still, We Believe" in 2003. It was an interesting documentary, but I should have seen then the damage it would cause. It was released in theaters. Huh? An hour and a half of fans talking about how much they love the Red Sox? Real fans didn't need the movie; we already knew we loved them. The problem was, some gullible schmucks who had no allegiance beforehand walked out going, "Man, I love the Red Sox TOO!"
From there it got worse. Pink Red Sox hats. "Fever Pitch." Monster seats. Ticket prices soaring as if the paper for the stubs was drilled for in Iraq. The 2004 World Series.
Now, I'm not saying I wished they hadn't won it in 2004. Far from it. I was ecstatic, and if the Red Sox don't make the playoffs again as long as I live, I can die in peace.
But I haven't been back to Fenway Park since summer 2004 (Justin remembers). Tickets are even more expensive, even with the added bleachers on the Green Monster and above Pesky Pole in right field. Even if seats were $1, though, the demand would still be too great to gain admittance.
What happened? Where'd all these people come from? I used to go to 6-8 games a year, some -- gasp! -- not even sellouts. Now the sellouts are composed mostly of sellouts, if you get my meaning. What do these fans expect now? They missed it already. The suffering, the waiting, the hoping... it all came and went. From here on, the Red Sox will either a) not win another World Series, or b) win their second since 2004.
What's the lure in that?
My parents are picking me up on their way to Baltimore tomorrow morning and we're going to see the Red Sox play the Orioles on Saturday and Sunday at Camden Yards. I'm pumped. I haven't seen a Red Sox game live since I went to Camden Yards last summer.
But for every piece of pink Red Sox paraphenalia I see, I'll cringe. Every time Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz hits an obvious popup to the outfield and fans roar as if it has any chance of leaving the park, I'll cringe. Anyone I see wearing a No. 34 Red Sox shirt with "Big Papi" on the back, I'll give a respectful nod, but anyone with a No. 34 Red Sox shirt that says "El Guapo" or "Boomer," I'll give them a high five.
Future Red Sox-related rants: Why the Monster Seats are Stupid, Why Red Sox Fans at Other Stadiums are Annoying, Anyone Who Hates Derek Jeter Knows Nothing about Baseball and Should Be Shot, and When Unconditional Love Gets Out of Control.
Like the tagline says, I'll post when I get around to it.
My first recorded post will be a rant, sure to be added upon at future dates, against Boston Red Sox fans.
I myself am a Red Sox fan. Up until 2003, I enjoyed the company of other people who called themselves "Red Sox fans." Most were real, longtime fans who had some sense of the team's history and hardship. The threads on their "B" hats were worn and dirty and they brought mini radios to games, sat in the centerfield bleachers and cheered (and booed) only when necessary.
I can pinpoint when it changed. It was the release of the movie "Still, We Believe" in 2003. It was an interesting documentary, but I should have seen then the damage it would cause. It was released in theaters. Huh? An hour and a half of fans talking about how much they love the Red Sox? Real fans didn't need the movie; we already knew we loved them. The problem was, some gullible schmucks who had no allegiance beforehand walked out going, "Man, I love the Red Sox TOO!"
From there it got worse. Pink Red Sox hats. "Fever Pitch." Monster seats. Ticket prices soaring as if the paper for the stubs was drilled for in Iraq. The 2004 World Series.
Now, I'm not saying I wished they hadn't won it in 2004. Far from it. I was ecstatic, and if the Red Sox don't make the playoffs again as long as I live, I can die in peace.
But I haven't been back to Fenway Park since summer 2004 (Justin remembers). Tickets are even more expensive, even with the added bleachers on the Green Monster and above Pesky Pole in right field. Even if seats were $1, though, the demand would still be too great to gain admittance.
What happened? Where'd all these people come from? I used to go to 6-8 games a year, some -- gasp! -- not even sellouts. Now the sellouts are composed mostly of sellouts, if you get my meaning. What do these fans expect now? They missed it already. The suffering, the waiting, the hoping... it all came and went. From here on, the Red Sox will either a) not win another World Series, or b) win their second since 2004.
What's the lure in that?
My parents are picking me up on their way to Baltimore tomorrow morning and we're going to see the Red Sox play the Orioles on Saturday and Sunday at Camden Yards. I'm pumped. I haven't seen a Red Sox game live since I went to Camden Yards last summer.
But for every piece of pink Red Sox paraphenalia I see, I'll cringe. Every time Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz hits an obvious popup to the outfield and fans roar as if it has any chance of leaving the park, I'll cringe. Anyone I see wearing a No. 34 Red Sox shirt with "Big Papi" on the back, I'll give a respectful nod, but anyone with a No. 34 Red Sox shirt that says "El Guapo" or "Boomer," I'll give them a high five.
Future Red Sox-related rants: Why the Monster Seats are Stupid, Why Red Sox Fans at Other Stadiums are Annoying, Anyone Who Hates Derek Jeter Knows Nothing about Baseball and Should Be Shot, and When Unconditional Love Gets Out of Control.
4 comments:
Yeah, there's two sides to this. I guess it's like being a Cowboys fan in the 90s. It was so cool it became horribly uncool and being a fan of your team should not be a "coolness" issue.
But you know your winning games when this happens so it's hard to pass up. I can't relate.
you do know that frank has 2 MVP awards, many silver slugger awards, taken his team to the playoffs 3 times, has over 500 HRs (the legal way!!)
and also has 7 years where he hit well over .300, 100 RBI, 100 Runs scored, 100 Walks and at least 30 HRs!
the only person to come close to that is Ted Williams with 6 years in a row.
he was more than a home run guy, because he didn't use steroids to have crazy totals. he was a complete hitter. and the most feared hitter of the 90s in the AL.
and he has been in the 10 5 in MVP votes 5 times before, including last year, where he placed 4th behind Morneau, Jeter and Ortiz.
you think he isn't a hall of famer because he didn't hit home runs like Sammy Sosa? Well count you in as one of those who were fooled by the steroid era.
Because he was a DH? Please, like Sammmy Sosa was ever a good player on the field.
one of the reasons he's not higher in the HR totals was because of almost 3 missed season - so he would be at 600 by now, and also of many guys juicing to get higher home runs totals. Mark McGuire, Sosa, Palmerio to name a few.
don't let steroid users blind you into believing Frank isn't a Hall of Famer. The guys he's passed this year are all in the hall of fame, and should be around 560 before he retires. Imagine what he could have done if he didn't break his foot so many times!!
Oh and he missed out on the third MVP in 2000, by a few votes to admitted steroid user Jason Giambi. With 3 MVPs he would be a major lock. Don't worry. he still is a first ballot hall of fame inductee, and he will ensure it with the next few years in his storied career.
one of the best RH hitters of his generation and of all time!
and one more thing, he'll retire with the most sacrifice flies. neat tidbit.
picked as the best white sox of the century.
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