Baseball

[yossarian]

This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Red Sox self-pity and arrogance is ridiculous. "We DESERVED to win and we didn't. Blah blah blah, boo hoo hoo." Get over it. ;)

For the record, the Red Sox aren't my favorite team although I do root for them in the AL after having lived in Boston for several years.

But you're right.....I should get over it. Things could be worse.....I could be a Gator.

[Sapphire]

Things could be worse.....I could be a Gator. True, or a Gooner. :eek: ;)

[Vermont Red]

Red Sox fans suffered more than Cubs fans for many reasons, including:

The fact that the stupid Yankees won so many titles between 1918 and 2004. (Who are the Cubbies biggest rivals?)

Red Sox fans actually expected to win a number of times over the years. Cubs fans believe, in their heart of hearts, that they will never win. Hence, their "disappointment" is actually joy at knowing their place in the universe.

[Sapphire]

Red Sox fans suffered more than Cubs fans for many reasons, including:

The fact that the stupid Yankees won so many titles between 1918 and 2004. (Who are the Cubbies biggest rivals?)

Red Sox fans actually expected to win a number of times over the years. Cubs fans believe, in their heart of hearts, that they will never win. Hence, their "disappointment" is actually joy at knowing their place in the universe.Ok, fine. The Sox have suffered MORE. Why is that all they talk about :confused: It gets on my nerves.

[Vermont Red]

Ok, fine. The Sox have suffered MORE. Why is that all they talk about :confused: It gets on my nerves.

Without taking too long to explain this, I'll just say that the suffering is a defining characteristic of many New Englanders. Needless to say, many of them are now lost.

[Achtung]

This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Red Sox self-pity and arrogance is ridiculous. "We DESERVED to win and we didn't. Blah blah blah, boo hoo hoo." Get over it. ;)

I don't think its that we feel we deserved anything, it just hurts more (IMO) to be so close and have it snatched away on multiple occasions. Although it did make winning it that much sweeter. :)

The Cubs have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory a few times though, like 1984 and 2003.

[Achtung]

Red Sox fans suffered more than Cubs fans for many reasons, including:

The fact that the stupid Yankees won so many titles between 1918 and 2004. (Who are the Cubbies biggest rivals?)

Red Sox fans actually expected to win a number of times over the years. Cubs fans believe, in their heart of hearts, that they will never win. Hence, their "disappointment" is actually joy at knowing their place in the universe.

St. Louis are the Cubs' traditional rivals, and they won quite a few World Series, but for whatever reason there doesn't seem to be that pure hatred that exists between the Yankees and Red Sox. Not to say that the fans don't hate each other's teams though.

[Achtung]

For the record, the Red Sox aren't my favorite team although I do root for them in the AL after having lived in Boston for several years.

But you're right.....I should get over it. Things could be worse.....I could be a Gator.

It's tough for a Braves fan too somewhat (they're my NL team). Always sucks to do so well and then collapse in October, despite that win in 1995. Admittedly its nice that every year the analysts say the Braves' run in the NL East is over, and then they win it again. :)

[yossarian]

Ok, fine. The Sox have suffered MORE. Why is that all they talk about :confused: It gets on my nerves.

Watch Ken Burns' "Baseball." There's a great segment on the suffering of BoSox fans.

[Stud83]

I always thought that until Tribune blows up Wrigley and builds a new stadium, Cubs will not win anything. Otherwise there is no point in even trying to win - Wrigley is gonna be full in August even if the Cubs have 20 wins by then and they'll always be profitable.

[Achtung]

And I'm sure most of them would crawl to Houston to have his ancient ass back on their team, too. :)

Maybe for like one year, it could be nice for him to mentor some of the young pitchers we have coming up. But at the same time, its not like Schilling and Wakefield can't do that.

I'm sure he's a fine guy in perseon and all, but throwing that bat shard at Piazza was a low (and I don't even like Festive Mike very much), and more than anything he has never even acknowledged the Sox and the fans for supporting him fully through a couple of years that weren't exactly his finest. I don't blame him for going to Toronto and then the Yankees--he wanted to win, and if Red Sox management didn't want him, he had to go. I'm not going to get started on Dan Duquette pushing him out the door though, or I'd go on, and on... and on.

[Achtung]

I always thought that until Tribune blows up Wrigley and builds a new stadium, Cubs will not win anything. Otherwise there is no point in even trying to win - Wrigley is gonna be full in August even if the Cubs have 20 wins by then and they'll always be profitable.

Not likely anytime soon. They're adding 2000 seats this season.

Besides, people said the same about Fenway with its poor sightlines and lack of facilities. Now wasn't that all just a load of hooey. ;)

[Vermont Red]

The only reason that I would want to see Clemens back with the Sox is that it would mean that Clemens has finally accepted that he is going into the Hall of Fame with a Sox cap.

[HardHatMike]

It's tough for a Braves fan too somewhat (they're my NL team). Always sucks to do so well and then collapse in October, despite that win in 1995. Admittedly its nice that every year the analysts say the Braves' run in the NL East is over, and then they win it again. :)
Geee.. You want an Indians fan to feel sorry for a Braves fan? I wish my team won their division by mid-august every year.

On a brighter note, getting ready for softball season and I just got my new mitt today. I love the smell of new leather and glove oil. Luckily, so does my wife ;)

[Sapphire]

Maybe for like one year, it could be nice for him to mentor some of the young pitchers we have coming up. But at the same time, its not like Schilling and Wakefield can't do that.

I'm sure he's a fine guy in perseon and all, but throwing that bat shard at Piazza was a low (and I don't even like Festive Mike very much), and more than anything he has never even acknowledged the Sox and the fans for supporting him fully through a couple of years that weren't exactly his finest. I don't blame him for going to Toronto and then the Yankees--he wanted to win, and if Red Sox management didn't want him, he had to go. I'm not going to get started on Dan Duquette pushing him out the door though, or I'd go on, and on... and on.Tbh, unlike soccer, where I try to understand the global picture, I don't follow baseball as much as I follow my team, and other teams only insofar as they directly impact my team. So, I had no idea what happened with Clemens and the bad blood with the Sox or Piazza. He really could be a raging jerk. Well, so far, I've liked all I've seen from him, and I hope he's pitching in Houston this season.

[Stud83]

Not likely anytime soon. They're adding 2000 seats this season.

Besides, people said the same about Fenway with its poor sightlines and lack of facilities. Now wasn't that all just a load of hooey. ;)

But the thing is - people go to Wrigley and don't care whether the Cubs win or lose. Most of them anyways. So the Tribsters would keep on increasing ticket prices, inviting C-list celebrities to sing during the 7th inning stretch, not investing much in the team itself, and the fans would still be going to Wrigley in bunches and every game would be sold out.
I agree, they won't blow up Wrigley any time soon, but I don't see Cubs winning the WS until they do it.

[Achtung]

Tbh, unlike soccer, where I try to understand the global picture, I don't follow baseball as much as I follow my team, and other teams only insofar as they directly impact my team. So, I had no idea what happened with Clemens and the bad blood with the Sox or Piazza. He really could be a raging jerk. Well, so far, I've liked all I've seen from him, and I hope he's pitching in Houston this season.

Quick, dirty, and admittedly biased story of Clemens' career in Boston: brought up as the next big thing, always successful in season but less so in playoffs, still became a fan favorite, had a couple of off years though so Sox GM Dan Duquette pushed him out the door using age as an excuse, Clemens reacts by turning on Red Sox Nation

It's not that he went to the Yankees. I don't hate Johnny Damon or Wade Boggs for doing the same, its a business decision and if the Yankees are paying more, that's life. It's that he turned on the people who made him what he became. That's sad to see from any player.

I actually enjoyed watching him in Houston and hoped he would be back. Although after the way Drayton McLane treated Jeff "Mr. Astro" Bagwell, who knows what effect that had on Clemens.

[Achtung]

But the thing is - people go to Wrigley and don't care whether the Cubs win or lose. Most of them anyways. So the Tribsters would keep on increasing ticket prices, inviting C-list celebrities to sing during the 7th inning stretch, not investing much in the team itself, and the fans would still be going to Wrigley in bunches and every game would be sold out.
I agree, they won't blow up Wrigley any time soon, but I don't see Cubs winning the WS until they do it.

True, although to be honest management has been doing better the past few seasons, spending on players and taking better advantage of free agency. They've had teams the past few seasons who were capable of winning, but injuries haven't helped them much. It's gotten to the point where fans are actually disappointed at not making the playoffs. :eek:

[Achtung]

Geee.. You want an Indians fan to feel sorry for a Braves fan? I wish my team won their division by mid-august every year.

LOL... well no, but the Indians have some great up and coming players. I think you guys will do just fine the next few seasons.



On a brighter note, getting ready for softball season and I just got my new mitt today. I love the smell of new leather and glove oil. Luckily, so does my wife ;)

Need to pick one up to replace my current one that has a hole in it...

[Stud83]

LOL... well no, but the Indians have some great up and coming players. I think you guys will do just fine the next few seasons.


Yeah, it's too bad they're in the central division and would have to contend for a wild card. ;)