Baseball Thread...

[exist10z]

I guess I just can't relate, and on some level I am sure it feels fantastic, but I think it must be sort of anti-climactic and unsatisfying to be a Yankees fan.  I am sure I will be told this isn't the case, but hear me out.

If you're a Yankees fan and you lose, that's gotta feel particularly terrible, not only because it happens so rarely, but also because you're always supposed to win.  I know it doesn't stop the majority of (obnoxious) Yankees fans, but I just wonder how satisfying the gloating can be when you're supposed to win every game.  Since I don't have first hand experience, maybe it's completely satisfying.  If you proclaim, 'haha, we beat you', the fact that you are supposed to win just makes it seem like bullying.

Not saying that anyone here, or even most Yankee fans, would be that brash (though I have encountered many who are), but this series just got me to thinking about this issue.  To relate it personally, as a Ravens fan, I think they should win every game.  When they lose, it's particularly painful, because I assume they should have won.  And when they win, it's just a return to baseline expectation, not a rousing feeling of elation.  The exception of course would be against The Steelers, who have historically been our equals (at least), so wins in those games carry more weight and more joy.  Which I guess is the way Yankees fans feel about beating the Red Sox, a team on a theoretically equal playing field.

Anyway, not a Yankees basher, much respect for winning, and since I really love NYC, it's hard to carry too much animosity (though I don't speak for most O's fans).  But that said, and relating to my point, beating a team I know is 'better' than us, carries a much greater level of satisfaction.  I just can't help thinking of a bully beating up a little girl - then having people stand around and cheer it on, when watching the scenes of Yankee fan celebration.

[ericm]

I can assure you it is NOT unsatisfying or anti- climatic to be a Yankee fan. I'm not thinking about their payroll or anyone elses when they're playing.  I don't get caught up in all the outside talk. If they win, they're supposed to with all the money they spend. If they lose, it's how could they lose while spending all that money? It's a no win situation for Yankee fans, so why bother even paying attention to it? For me I'm a fan of the team. I also have been following them and all sports , and know nothing is ever guaranteed. I certainly don't expect to win every year. I hope to, but know that's not realistic no matter how much money they spend. I also don't rub it in to fans of other teams. Sure I joke with friends, and bust some chops some times, but that goes both ways. I know for sure they talk more smack to me when the Yanks lose, than I ever do to them when they win.

I've been watching the Yanks from the late 60's, and have lived through some very lean years. I fully appreciate everything I have gotten from them in the past 17 years or so, including maybe my favorite Playoff run/ World Series ever in 2001 which they lost.

Being a Yankee fan and losing feels no different to me than when any other sports team I root for loses. It sucks, plain and simple. It doesn't suck more because they spend more. I know there are plenty of obnoxious fans in all sports, and the Yankees sure have their share, but I for one never gloat and take satisfaction in rubbing it in others faces. My joy comes from my team winning, and celebrating that. I'd like to think most fans do the same.

[exist10z]

"have lived through some very lean years" - when was that?  Like maybe a couple months in 1990?  Nah, just kidding, just messin' with ya.  There were a few bad years there in the early 90's.  But we hear that all the time from Yankee fans, as a way of showing their 'stick-to-it-tiveness' and suffering, and as O's fans (or Cubs, Royals, etc.), it's still tough to hear.  You really don't know the depths of hopelessness we've endured.  Even when the Yanks were losing, they weren't really supposed to lose, they underperformed (painful in its own way, no doubt). 

Again, I wasn't positing my proposition out of bitterness (ok, maybe a little), but because as a Ravens fan I think I understand.  But as you described it, maybe I don't

Must be nice though...

[ericm]

"have lived through some very lean years" - when was that?  Like maybe a couple months in 1990?  Nah, just kidding, just messin' with ya.  There were a few bad years there in the early 90's.  But we hear that all the time from Yankee fans, as a way of showing their 'stick-to-it-tiveness' and suffering, and as O's fans (or Cubs, Royals, etc.), it's still tough to hear.  You really don't know the depths of hopelessness we've endured.  Even when the Yanks were losing, they weren't really supposed to lose, they underperformed (painful in its own way, no doubt). 

Again, I wasn't positing my proposition out of bitterness (ok, maybe a little), but because as a Ravens fan I think I understand.  But as you described it, maybe I don't

Must be nice though...

The early 90's? Shit man, that would be my son's lean years! Believe me when I say I do know the depths of your hopelessness and despair. I'm not talking about failing to perform I'm talking having NO shot to win.

Two words....Horace Clarke!

[pawpaw]

I'm so fuckin' happy.         

[pawpaw]

[jaye]

I'm so fuckin' happy.         

holee shit - I had to leave the house for the last two outs - I couldn't take it.    I get to go to a game next week!!   

[walterfredo]

Unbelievable!! Gigantes!  Buster is the golden child.

[Ruckus]

congrats to the giants and tigers.  i feel real bad for reds fans. 

On the home front, my heart is still functioning.  Y'all are welcome over to my place 5 pm.  Wish Girardi kept AROD in the lineup

[ericm]

Whew!! That was a nail biter! Great game by CC, and the Yanks finally got a few hits. Helluva year, and series for the O's. These teams played 23 games this year and it was 12-11 Yanks with only a total of four runs separating the teams.

Buck is gonna have those guys being a big pain in the Yanks asses for years to come. Tip of the cap to him, his team, and the fans too. Nice to see the BPACY full, and rocking again.    The only thing bad I can say about the O's, and I'm sure most of their fans feel the same, is Angelos is a shitty owner. I hope he continues to be for the Yankees sake.

It's on to the ALCS now, and looking for some payback vs Detroit.  In Andy we trust! Start it off strong in game 1. 

[exist10z]

Love my O's.
Great season, no complaints.

Go Tigers!
Smack that smug look right off those arrogant Yankees' faces.

Sorry ericm...

[ericm]

Love my O's.
Great season, no complaints.

Go Tigers!
Smack that smug look right off those arrogant Yankees' faces.

Sorry ericm...

Sorry for rooting for the Tigers or calling my team smug?   If it's the former, no need, if it's the latter........I didn't really see any of that. They knew how tough the O's and this series was.

If that was directed at some of the fans, I get it, but know there are good, and bad fans for all teams. I really think it's a generational thing with a lot of the Yankee fans. Kids in their 20's don't know anything but being in the playoffs. Fans my age have seen the lean years, and are grateful for every post season. Some of my son's friends are a bit smug, but not around me. My son knows not to pull that, and they're starting to catch on too.

[BH]

Bring it BBill.

[rincon]

Thanks to the DVR and smartphone, I was able to post this on youtube minutes after it happened. Listen closely to the pitcher. 2 days later the whole city of DC was quoting him. 

Ryan Mattheus

[exist10z]

Wow, the Yanks look crappy.

I like to think my O's would have put up a better fight...

[pawpaw]

Bring it BBill.

We were coming back from a hunting trip late so I didn't get to watch the game, but did listen on the radio. Bumgarner has not been reliable lately, has not been able to pitch well from the stretch. Not even counting the last series, the Giants have been a solid road team this season so I'm not worried. Giants/Cardinals NLCS just has a nice ring to it though, don't you think?

[iLikeBeer]

Wow, the Yanks look crappy.

I like to think my O's would have put up a better fight...

Yanks fans look pretty crappy too?!

Sorry Eric, but booing your team that won 95 games in the regular season and is currently plaing October baseball screams entitlement which is why I can't stand so many Yankee fans.  As a fan of both the Indians and the Cubs, I know the true meaning of long suffering and lean years and even in the Yankees leanest years, it was minuscule when compared to longsuffering Cubs and Indians fans...

[BH]

Bring it BBill.

We were coming back from a hunting trip late so I didn't get to watch the game, but did listen on the radio. Bumgarner has not been reliable lately, has not been able to pitch well from the stretch. Not even counting the last series, the Giants have been a solid road team this season so I'm not worried. Giants/Cardinals NLCS just has a nice ring to it though, don't you think?

It does indeed!   Finally, the two best NL teams of the last few years can meet!   I had Bumgarner AND Cain on my fantasy baseball team this year so I'm familiar with Bumgarner's recent struggles.   I have no doubt this will be a long tough series.  Who will pitch Game 4 for the Giants?

[ericm]

Wow, the Yanks look crappy.

I like to think my O's would have put up a better fight...

Yanks fans look pretty crappy too?!

Sorry Eric, but booing your team that won 95 games in the regular season and is currently plaing October baseball screams entitlement which is why I can't stand so many Yankee fans.  As a fan of both the Indians and the Cubs, I know the true meaning of long suffering and lean years and even in the Yankees leanest years, it was minuscule when compared to longsuffering Cubs and Indians fans...

Ex- I'm not sure of your thinking here, unless it's wishful thinking.    Your O's had every chance to prove you right. The Yanks are playing the same vs the Tigers as vs the O's, and still won that series.  If the Yanks/O's was a one game playoff maybe I could see that, but not when it's a series.

Beer- I totally agree booing this team isn't cool, but not about the entitled part. I think it's more of an expectation, and higher standard to be held to, than feeling like they deserve for their team to win.  We've been very fortunate to have the playoff run we've had in the past 17 years. I, and most of my friends don't feel like the Yanks deserve to win anymore than another team. We just expect a better performance, and when it gets down to it, it's about winning. Yankee fans want rings. Spoiled or not, that's what it's about, and what all players play for. I'm not justifying the booing, but when the organization says  it's about the rings, the fans take on the same expectations. Anything less is a failure. I don't always agree with that thinking, but I understand the fans frustration when the team plays as bad as it is right now, and we're told the only goal is a ring. To me the booing is an acknowledgement that the way they're playing is not going to get them that championship they've been told is the only goal.  Big difference than feeling they deserve or are entitled to a championship,IMO.

To be clear though, I only said I  know what lean years are, and have lived through them. Far different than saying long-suffering.When I first fell in love with the game, started going, and playing, the Yanks were horrible for all my formidable years. I still  loved and rooted for them, and have never felt entitled to them winning. The exact opposite is true for my generation. We appreciate their wins even more, cause we know that wasn't always the case. Not a year has gone by in my son's life that I don't remind him of this. Thankfully he understands how fortunate he's been and appreciates it while not feeling entitled.

[Tracy 2112]

Wow, the Yanks look crappy.

I like to think my O's would have put up a better fight...

Yanks fans look pretty crappy too?!

Sorry Eric, but booing your team that won 95 games in the regular season and is currently plaing October baseball screams entitlement which is why I can't stand so many Yankee fans.  As a fan of both the Indians and the Cubs, I know the true meaning of long suffering and lean years and even in the Yankees leanest years, it was minuscule when compared to longsuffering Cubs and Indians fans...

Ex- I'm not sure of your thinking here, unless it's wishful thinking.    Your O's had every chance to prove you right. The Yanks are playing the same vs the Tigers as vs the O's, and still won that series.  If the Yanks/O's was a one game playoff maybe I could see that, but not when it's a series.

Beer- I totally agree booing this team isn't cool, but not about the entitled part. I think it's more of an expectation, and higher standard to be held to, than feeling like they deserve for their team to win.  We've been very fortunate to have the playoff run we've had in the past 17 years. I, and most of my friends don't feel like the Yanks deserve to win anymore than another team. We just expect a better performance, and when it gets down to it, it's about winning. Yankee fans want rings. Spoiled or not, that's what it's about, and what all players play for. I'm not justifying the booing, but when the organization says  it's about the rings, the fans take on the same expectations. Anything less is a failure. I don't always agree with that thinking, but I understand the fans frustration when the team plays as bad as it is right now, and we're told the only goal is a ring. To me the booing is an acknowledgement that the way they're playing is not going to get them that championship they've been told is the only goal.  Big difference than feeling they deserve or are entitled to a championship,IMO.

To be clear though, I only said I  know what lean years are, and have lived through them. Far different than saying long-suffering.When I first fell in love with the game, started going, and playing, the Yanks were horrible for all my formidable years. I still  loved and rooted for them, and have never felt entitled to them winning. The exact opposite is true for my generation. We appreciate their wins even more, cause we know that wasn't always the case. Not a year has gone by in my son's life that I don't remind him of this. Thankfully he understands how fortunate he's been and appreciates it while not feeling entitled.

Having the highest payroll in MLB at a cool $197,962,289, it's nothing more than entitlement. Actually, it's about as close to entitlement as you can get in professional sports.

"Higher expectations"? "Standards"? Bullshit. That's just romanticized, elitist rhetoric.

You spend nearly $200,000,000 to win a title, you should win a title. PERIOD.