Comments on: Mets fans deserve the cold shoulder http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/ In-your-face baseball commentary Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:48:13 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Take What You Can Get From Omir Santos | umpbump.com http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-59191 Take What You Can Get From Omir Santos | umpbump.com Mon, 11 May 2009 23:09:32 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-59191 [...] fans have found someone they want to root for. God knows that’s been a difficult thing over the past couple years. But I’d suggest that we don’t get our hopes up with Omir because I don’t think [...] [...] fans have found someone they want to root for. God knows that’s been a difficult thing over the past couple years. But I’d suggest that we don’t get our hopes up with Omir because I don’t think [...]

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]]> By: Ben http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55536 Ben Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:38:25 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55536 Paul, I have to admit, I like your style. If I'm lucky enough to score tickets to Fenway, I'm there when the gates open for batting practice and don't leave until the final out. I remember a game in 2006, end of the season versus the D-Rays and I had excellent seats on the first base line. Sox were getting hammered and the mascot was nearby so all the parents were coming by with their kids, blocking my view... jerks, there was still a game going on. Though the only time I booed a player was in Damon's return as a yankee. I think the issue with the Mets is expectation. Since Minaya signed on Pedro in 2005, EVERYONE has expected this team to win. The 2006 unexpected loss to the Cards and the sudden collapse in 2007 just heightened a sense of restlessness. So yeah, Mets fans have been jerks lately because you guys have gone from a franchise that was just hoping to squeek by the Braves to a powerhouse franchise. It won't really end until the Mets win a world series and the fanbase calms down. Paul, I have to admit, I like your style. If I’m lucky enough to score tickets to Fenway, I’m there when the gates open for batting practice and don’t leave until the final out. I remember a game in 2006, end of the season versus the D-Rays and I had excellent seats on the first base line. Sox were getting hammered and the mascot was nearby so all the parents were coming by with their kids, blocking my view… jerks, there was still a game going on. Though the only time I booed a player was in Damon’s return as a yankee.

I think the issue with the Mets is expectation. Since Minaya signed on Pedro in 2005, EVERYONE has expected this team to win. The 2006 unexpected loss to the Cards and the sudden collapse in 2007 just heightened a sense of restlessness. So yeah, Mets fans have been jerks lately because you guys have gone from a franchise that was just hoping to squeek by the Braves to a powerhouse franchise. It won’t really end until the Mets win a world series and the fanbase calms down.

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]]> By: JE http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55535 JE Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:18:17 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55535 Pedro, SOME players may enjoy playing in St. Louis. SOME may even prefer the public schools of Denver and its suburbs. However, I do not believe that there is empirical evidence readily available demonstrating that your average ballplayer chooses St. Louis or Denver over New York. If anything, I would imagine more players care about the absence of state taxes in Florida and Texas than whether or not fans will try to hurt their feelings. Pedro, SOME players may enjoy playing in St. Louis. SOME may even prefer the public schools of Denver and its suburbs. However, I do not believe that there is empirical evidence readily available demonstrating that your average ballplayer chooses St. Louis or Denver over New York.

If anything, I would imagine more players care about the absence of state taxes in Florida and Texas than whether or not fans will try to hurt their feelings.

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]]> By: Paul Moro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55534 Paul Moro Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:07:50 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55534 There's a place in this world for bandwagon jumpers (at least in Shea). It's called the Outer Field Box Seats. These terrible sections of Shea make it seem like you're close to the action because you're technically only a few rows away from the field. But you get to see nothing but the outfield because your line of vision to home plate is blocked by the constant hordes of people close to the dugouts who insist on getting up and walking around. Those who have been to Shea more than a few times know to avoid this area like the plague. These bandwagon fans help fill these seats and make the team that much more profitable. So bless them. There’s a place in this world for bandwagon jumpers (at least in Shea). It’s called the Outer Field Box Seats. These terrible sections of Shea make it seem like you’re close to the action because you’re technically only a few rows away from the field. But you get to see nothing but the outfield because your line of vision to home plate is blocked by the constant hordes of people close to the dugouts who insist on getting up and walking around. Those who have been to Shea more than a few times know to avoid this area like the plague. These bandwagon fans help fill these seats and make the team that much more profitable.

So bless them.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55533 Sarah Green Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:56:00 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55533 In a pretty unrelated tangent, I was reading some message board or other recently (why can't I remember which one? maybe not enough coffee??) and some guy who identified himself as a Red Sox season-ticket holder made two points. 1) The "Yankees suck" chant is lame and has got to go (I agree) and 2) at a recent game with the Sox down by a few runs, the fans started cheering to try and get the team going and gosh golly darn, it was so heartwarming, and he can't remember ever having that sort of reaction from the fans in the Fens ever before....to which I can only say, what are you SMOKING. I don't have season tix, but I've been to a boatload of games over the years and I have seen this sort of groundswell of support from the Faithful numerous times. Too many to count, in fact. I can only assume this is some bandwagon-jumping season ticket holder who only got his seats this season and who also just moved here from Omaha (where, of course, there is no MLB team). Normally, I'm fine with bandwagoners---or converts, as I like to think of them---but when they're holding on to season tickets, my patience runs short. (My fam is on the list for season tickets...they recently estimated that we only have nine more years to wait---huzzah!) That's just by way of saying that even though we boo douchebags, we still know how to cheer when it counts. Or something. In a pretty unrelated tangent, I was reading some message board or other recently (why can’t I remember which one? maybe not enough coffee??) and some guy who identified himself as a Red Sox season-ticket holder made two points. 1) The “Yankees suck” chant is lame and has got to go (I agree) and 2) at a recent game with the Sox down by a few runs, the fans started cheering to try and get the team going and gosh golly darn, it was so heartwarming, and he can’t remember ever having that sort of reaction from the fans in the Fens ever before….to which I can only say, what are you SMOKING. I don’t have season tix, but I’ve been to a boatload of games over the years and I have seen this sort of groundswell of support from the Faithful numerous times. Too many to count, in fact.

I can only assume this is some bandwagon-jumping season ticket holder who only got his seats this season and who also just moved here from Omaha (where, of course, there is no MLB team). Normally, I’m fine with bandwagoners—or converts, as I like to think of them—but when they’re holding on to season tickets, my patience runs short. (My fam is on the list for season tickets…they recently estimated that we only have nine more years to wait—huzzah!)

That’s just by way of saying that even though we boo douchebags, we still know how to cheer when it counts. Or something.

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]]> By: Paul Moro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55532 Paul Moro Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:39:41 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55532 Thanks, Pedro. And that's the rub. People confuse criticism with knowledge. "If I boo, that shows that I understand baseball!" No. If you boo indiscriminately, you look like a total moron. Pick and choose your spots people. Or else it'll be meaningless when it's most deserved. Thanks, Pedro. And that’s the rub. People confuse criticism with knowledge. “If I boo, that shows that I understand baseball!” No. If you boo indiscriminately, you look like a total moron.

Pick and choose your spots people. Or else it’ll be meaningless when it’s most deserved.

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]]> By: Pedro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55531 Pedro Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:27:29 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55531 Outstanding article Paul. Well said. I agree on all points. Since 2006 Met fans all of a sudden seem to have this sense of entitlement that's very disturbing. It's amazing to me that some NYers seem to think that since this is a tough town that they have a right to act stupid, rude, obnoxious, nasty and annoying. I'm a season ticket holder and the behavior of some ruin it for many. Players love to play in St. Louis because the fans are nice. Larry Walker strikes out in his first AB after a trade and he gets a standing ovation before and after the AB. Oh by the way St. Louis has 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, and 22 Playoff Appearances. Get a clue Met fans. You can be passionate without being stupid, rude, obnoxious, nasty and annoying. Outstanding article Paul. Well said. I agree on all points. Since 2006 Met fans all of a sudden seem to have this sense of entitlement that’s very disturbing. It’s amazing to me that some NYers seem to think that since this is a tough town that they have a right to act stupid, rude, obnoxious, nasty and annoying.

I’m a season ticket holder and the behavior of some ruin it for many. Players love to play in St. Louis because the fans are nice. Larry Walker strikes out in his first AB after a trade and he gets a standing ovation before and after the AB. Oh by the way St. Louis has 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, and 22 Playoff Appearances. Get a clue Met fans. You can be passionate without being stupid, rude, obnoxious, nasty and annoying.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55529 Sarah Green Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:20:22 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55529 Paul, I hope you would at least consider joining the booing under the following circs: 1) Player being booed is a known wife-beater, a la Brett Myers. 2) Player being booed has shown consistent and remarkable lack of hustle, a la Izzy Alcantara (who later confirmed what we already knew---that he is a giant douchebag---by karate-kicking a catcher in the neck. 3) Player is a known taker of steroids. (Countless examples.) 4) Player defects from team and goes IMMEDIATELY to arch rival. (Johnny Damon, etc.) 5) Player in question has made disparaging comments about fans of own team. In this case, booing is surely justifiably retributive, no? Paul, I hope you would at least consider joining the booing under the following circs:

1) Player being booed is a known wife-beater, a la Brett Myers.

2) Player being booed has shown consistent and remarkable lack of hustle, a la Izzy Alcantara (who later confirmed what we already knew—that he is a giant douchebag—by karate-kicking a catcher in the neck.

3) Player is a known taker of steroids. (Countless examples.)

4) Player defects from team and goes IMMEDIATELY to arch rival. (Johnny Damon, etc.)

5) Player in question has made disparaging comments about fans of own team. In this case, booing is surely justifiably retributive, no?

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]]> By: Paul Moro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55528 Paul Moro Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:01:21 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55528 JE, I just don't see the point in booing. I don't understand what purpose it serves. It bothers the hell out of me when I see Reyes swinging at the first pitch and popping out the 3rd. But even if I did boo, is he going to listen to me? Who does he think knows more about the game? He's not going to listen to the average fan who has no idea how to keep his front shoulder in. He's going to listen to his coaches or himself. As far as Willie is concerned, his management of the pitching staff is pretty bad. But not all of it is his fault, really. I don't like the fact that our bullpen is so reliant on match-ups. Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoeneweis have pretty bad splits. I can't blame that on Willie so much. And if we're going to criticize him for using Brian Lawrence last year, why are we not praising him for using Figueroa this year? There's definitely some things that drive me nuts as far as Randolph is concerned. But I do think that Mets fans blame him for everything bad and don't give him much credit for doing something right. And just because something has been done for decades doesn't mean it's the correct thing to do. JE, I just don’t see the point in booing. I don’t understand what purpose it serves. It bothers the hell out of me when I see Reyes swinging at the first pitch and popping out the 3rd. But even if I did boo, is he going to listen to me? Who does he think knows more about the game? He’s not going to listen to the average fan who has no idea how to keep his front shoulder in. He’s going to listen to his coaches or himself.

As far as Willie is concerned, his management of the pitching staff is pretty bad. But not all of it is his fault, really. I don’t like the fact that our bullpen is so reliant on match-ups. Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoeneweis have pretty bad splits. I can’t blame that on Willie so much. And if we’re going to criticize him for using Brian Lawrence last year, why are we not praising him for using Figueroa this year? There’s definitely some things that drive me nuts as far as Randolph is concerned. But I do think that Mets fans blame him for everything bad and don’t give him much credit for doing something right.

And just because something has been done for decades doesn’t mean it’s the correct thing to do.

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]]> By: JE http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/28/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/comment-page-1/#comment-55530 JE Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:30:59 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/mets-fans-deserve-the-cold-shoulder/#comment-55530 Paul, I respect your decision not to boo, but keep in mind that our revered ancestors who frequented Ebbets Field constantly booed members of the home team. (Clem Labine said that Gil Hodges was the exception.) By the way, do you have any concerns with fans booing Willie for his decision-making? Or was I wrong to object to the lousy Brian Lawrence starts? We pay good money to see a game. Curse-free booing is simply a way that we express dissatisfaction with how elements of the game are played. I just don't see the outrage. Paul, I respect your decision not to boo, but keep in mind that our revered ancestors who frequented Ebbets Field constantly booed members of the home team. (Clem Labine said that Gil Hodges was the exception.)

By the way, do you have any concerns with fans booing Willie for his decision-making? Or was I wrong to object to the lousy Brian Lawrence starts?

We pay good money to see a game. Curse-free booing is simply a way that we express dissatisfaction with how elements of the game are played. I just don’t see the outrage.

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