How Big of A fan Are You?

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Posted By: Ken McMillan

Hello to all.

By writing on this forum, I can see that we are all Baseball fans. The question posed is how big of fans are we. By definition, fan is short for fanatic (alternative meaning is crazy). I classify myself as a diehard Cub fan and can prove myself by attending Cubs fantasy camp for 5 years and physically sporting a Cub bear logo tatooed on my left shoulder blade (remember I did say crazy). What other crazy things do forum members do to show that they are a fan for their team.

Ken

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Posted By: Steve M.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most rabid fan known to man I am probably a 2.I go to one Cubs game a year. never a Sox game, and probably can't name ten players in the major league other than the Cubs and Sox.

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Posted By: Not Henny Youngman

I used to be a Giant fan
now I'm just a big air conditioner

No, I'm not quitting my day job.

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Posted By: Jason Carota

I am a die-hard Red Sox fan. During the 2004 playoffs and World Series, the band Dropkick Murphy's released a song called "Tessie" as a sort of rally song for the Sox. I played that song (in my car) on repeat until the Sox won the series.

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Posted By: CN

I have been a Diehard Mets fan since 1971. I usually go to about 30 games a year and have shared full season tickets since 1997 with my brother. I also watch or listen to just about every game. I never got caught up in the fantasy camps but I probably know every player that played since the early 70,s. Tom Seaver was my favorite as well as Rusty Staub. CN

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Mets for me......

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Posted By: leon

Major League Baseball? I couldn't name more than a dozen or two players that are playing today. I go to minor league, local games, and they are great..I would go to a game, and have, but I don't make it a personal habit. I have enjoyed the few times I have gone in the last 5 yrs. I am just not a fan of todays athlete's attitudes, but I can certainly appreciate all that are and it's fine by me.... As for baseball in general I love the game and always love to play. (even if my arm IS ragged out).....best regards

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Posted By: Ken McMillan

CN,

You should try the fantasy camps, they're awesome. I have met many players from the cubs and Some players who were known for other teams. The three big names I have got to know from other teams would be Joe Pepitone, Ed Lynch, and Ron Coomber. And of course all the historic cubbies. The campers are fun also. Met another guy this year that had a cubs tatoo on his shoulder. Everyone asked us if they hurt to get. My response was no pain, no gain.

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Posted By: Ken McMillan

Leon has it right, it's all for the game. I love to play the game, collect the game, and watch the game. I wish baseball was 365 days a year. Ernie Banks said it best "Let's play 2 today". It is sad that the game has become big business, But it is America's pastime.

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Posted By: brock

I like this post alot.
I may only be 16 years old but im a die hard yankee fan. I try not to miss one game a year. Me and my dad go to about 10 games a year. And the other thing is i love to play baseball and also collect anything to do with baseball game used bats,balls anything. You could ask me any thing about the yankees and i should know it. I study baseball and the yankees 24/7. Just like one of you said i wish it went on for 365 days. Heres something that can go along with this post if you could live in another time period in stead of this one? What one would it be. Like i mean maybe you would want to go back in time to 1860's to watch early baseball or i know i would want to go back and watch the 1920's yankees.
Brock

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Posted By: peter chao

Guys,

You can hate Barry Bonds, and many do in the Bay Area. But you can still admire the great player that he is. I remember that after his father Bobby died a couple years ago and Barry took some time off.

When Barry got back in the lineup, the game was tied in the bottom of the Ninth and even before he got up to the plate, the fans were clapping and yelling. When Barry hit his homer, the people went into a frenzy. It was great.

Peter

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Posted By: Dave Williams

I'm a St. Louis Cardinal fan.

I'm a stat geek as well. I've generally got several stat books by the john for casual reading at home and at work.

I read the Baseball Register about 100 times cover to cover, looking for unusual stats, as in who has an OBP higher than their slugging percentage, or who hit more triples than doubles last year, or who had the worst winning percentage last year.

Having said that, I hardly ever watch baseball on TV, or listen to it on the radio. I go to 1 or 2 games a year maximum.

So I don't know what kind of fan I am.

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Posted By: john/z28jd

Im a diehard Pirates fan which should qualify to make me the craziest. I either listen to or watch all or parts of about 1000 games a year the last 2 years thanks to the MLB package and xmradio. I can name 100 minor leaguers for the Pirates too,i attend minor league and major league games,i read and breathe baseball 24/7...i just checked and on my aol favorites you have to go down 17 spots to find a site thats not baseball related. Ive been listening to xm's mlb station all day at work today,and checked baseball stories during work and have been basically talking baseball with anyone that will listen. Im pretty sure that makes me a fan

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Posted By: barrysloate

I've been a Giants fan my whole life and it's basically been an exercise in frustration. I'm still trying to figure out how they lost the Series in 2002. That may be the only chance I will ever get.

I like the Mets and Yanks- yep, I root for them both- but hardly ever go to a game. I watch on TV but am likely to fall asleep before they end. I was diehard when I was younger but the game has lost much of its lustre.

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Posted By: Neal

I am a die hard Red Sox fan since I was 5 so that is now 35yrs :0) You could bury me tomorrow and I would die a very happy man able to experience 1 World Series that I saw. It was the most miraculous year in 2004 coming from behind 3-0 games to the horrible Yanks and beating them 4 games to 3...then sweeping the Cards! I only wish my beloved Grandfather was alive to experience it! he followed the Sox for 75years!

It will be a Great year for my Boys this year! BIG PAPI's in Town!!!

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Posted By: jP

i used to go to alot of Dodger games, but since all the changes that have happened with that club in the past i just slowly lost interest in the present rosters etc. but im still a Dodger supporter for life.

my collection: http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/obaks/

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Posted By: JK

Big Yankees fan here - grew up in Maryland but cant stand the O's. Love the game, love to watch (we have a nice AAA club nearby) and love to play the game.

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Posted By: barrysloate

Neal- the father of a friend of mine was a diehard Red Sox fan since his boyhood in the 1920's. He died in August 2004 having not seen them win a World Series in some 80 years. Two months after he died they were champs!

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Posted By: Mike

I love the game itself. I love the strategy involved. I love the history. I love all aspects of the game. For the most part, I can't stand the modern player. With some exceptions. The arrogance, the greed, the "whats in it for me attitude". Bud selig. Commissioner, yet owns one of the teams. What's up with that? Player spitting in the face of an umpire? I maybe go to two games a year. I'd probably go to more if we had a real stadium in Minnesota. I am not a die hard fan of the modern game, and probably couldn't name 30 players out side of the local club. I guess what keeps me going is the child like fantasy that somehow,someday, the real game will return to us. I will not hold my breath however.

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Posted By: Al C.risafulli

I love baseball. Every single thing about it. I almost never miss a Yankee game, and it's been that way since I'm 7 years old. Every other sport is something to keep me busy inbetween baseball seasons.

I love today's major league players. I can watch minor league games, little league games, reruns of games, whatever. I like to coach it, play it, read about it, watch it on TV, listen to it on the radio, and talk about it with friends.

I love the fact that my team can get shut out by Kenny Rogers in the playoffs, and my reaction is "WOW, that guy brought his GAME!"

I get goose bumps when I think of some of the great moments in the game. I think Jackie Robinson was one of the greatest figures in American history. I think Rube Waddell was one of the most fun. I think watching Bernie Williams, circa 1996, catch up to a line drive in the gap is one of the most beautiful things in sports. I have looked forward to very few things more than I looked forward to Jimmy Key vs. Greg Maddux. I think the 6-4-3 double play is one of the most beautiful things there is, and I think the only thing more exciting than a triple is a suicide squeeze.

I love how little the game and the players have changed over the past 100 years, and at the same time, how much. I love how the game has evolved and stayed the same. I love how it's like one big novel with each season being a chapter.

I love arguing about baseball. I love trying to convince someone who dislikes baseball why they should love it. I love explaining to my sons how every player who steps on the field owes a debt to Jackie, Babe, Matty, and McGraw. I use baseball players and stories to make examples when I'm trying to teach kids.

And during the 1996 playoffs, I wore the same clothes every night from opening game of the ALDS until the Yankees won, and then I danced around my living room like an idiot in front of my mother in law.

It's a sickness with me, I know it. I'm cool with it.

-Al

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Posted By: Jason L

First off, Judd - very funny...loved it, made me laugh out loud.

Me: Fan of the Game, Cubs fan, History buff. Truly fanatic, no, but dedicated nonetheless.
I got into this game late (not until about 13 or so), and I spent two entire summers in suburban Chicago watching every televised Cubs game on WGN, listening to every word that Harry Caray, Steve Stone (in his first years with the Cubs, I believe), and Milo Hamilton uttered...learning the game.

My mom saw this and bought my first pack of cards when she came home from the grocery store one afternoon. 1984 Fleer. It couldn't have been a better gift. It got me interested in stats, and therefore math (which benefited me greatly later on, as I went to work on Wall Street), it got me interested in team rosters, and the idea of set collecting.

I am a tremendous fan of the game. Moreso than a fan of the Cubs. I am also a fan of any player that embodies what I perceive to be the spirit of the game. If a player has infectious energy, looks like he's having fun, then I am a fan. This is why my 3 biggest player concentrated collections are Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett and Walter Payton (I know, football, but the same idea...)...
Ken, as much as I would like to agree with your thoughts on the player incentives, I just don't think it's realistic for a player to play without regard for money. They jumped to other teams and leagues for money back in the deadball era just the same...I think all we can ask for is that they enjoy (or at least pretend) playing the game, and hope that they spark the excitement within the younger generation watching them play...Ozzie Smith made me want to play baseball - he got me excited about it...Kirby and his fireplug stature made me think I could have a shot at playing it well, too!!!

Hearing about my father talk about his favorite team and players introduced me to the history of the game, and its importance.

Then my mother's geneology and talks with her father revealed that I had cousins who played the game, and all of a sudden I was hooked on the 30s-40s era, and learned that there was a minor league system out west that many folks thought to be so advanced as to be almost a third major league...which reminded me about how geographically segmented the country was back then...placing baseball in context once again within American culture...amazing history lessons to be had everywhere I turned.

I'm hooked on all of it...I spend money on the stuff, I go to games when I can, I go to Cooperstown when I can, and I am hard pressed to find a better night than in front of the tv watching a game from beginning to end.

and I think it is the same game as it was during the deadball era...the players are the same, the fans are the same and the media are all the same, only moreso!

Well, that's about it.

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Posted By: Joe D.

I love the history of baseball and just 'like' the modern game.

Now, if the Giants ever move back to New York - I would be a season ticket holder - and a huge fan.

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Posted By: Brett

I use to be really into baseball when I was a kid, when the Blue Jays won back to back World Series. Since then all of this steroid **** has been a turn off. I can't tell who is legit or who isn't anymore. It seems like everyone is using them. The pitching is just terrible... the league is full of minor league pitching. Its sad when the greatest Major League record will be broken by a steroid user. He better be banned from baseball !!

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Posted By: Mike Ellis

I am a fan! I admit it. I have been a fan for most of my 64 years. I was born in Detroit and the Tigers remain my "default" team. However, I am a majority owner of a minor league team here in Missoula where I live. My family has been involved with minor league baseball since the early 1980s when my wife went to work cooking hamburgers for the Lodi Crushers (an old Chicago Cubs Affiliate) of the California League. I am very involved in the business, my son has been in the business for about 18 years and my daugter-in-law has worked in the business almost as long. My 12 year old grandson knows everything about running a minor league team from the business side. We are the rookie level affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Therefore I am a Diamondback fan. I have collected cards since I was a young child in the late 1940s. I love vintage cards and I have no cards other than my team's cards newer than 1975. 99% are pre-war. Most are pre-1920.

I view my progression as a fanatic something like this: Baseball cards with bubblegum, memorabilia, vintage cards and then a minor league team (actually used to be involved in three - now just two). I am not a card investor, hardly ever sell, and cherish my vintage cards and my vintage glove collection. Most of what I own is tied up in baseball. I retired two years ago from my day job in order to spend more time with my family and not miss the baseball season here in Montana. That is how I describe fanatic!

We (oops - sounds familiar- in this instance I am refering to my family) love being involved in Rookie level baseball where the game is still important, the players have just been drafted, and the egos are most often checked at the gate. The players realize that everyone in the league was once an all-star somewhere.

I have done business with many board members and do not post often. However, I respect your opinions and love to stay in touch with you all by lurking. Maybe I will post more often. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Mike

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Posted By: Tim James

Am I the only Reds fan here? My first game was 1975 at Riverfront Stadium. We all know how good those guys were, but I've stuck by the Reds through thick and thin (mostly thin).It was so sweet to see them sweep the A's in '90. It's hard to get up there now that I'm in Nashville, but I'm still crazy about them !!

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Posted By: MVSNYC

i am a huge baseball fan...for starters i played from age 5 thru H.S. varsity. my dad made the phillies farm team (didn't play however)...and my uncle played H.S. & college ball...i love the game and follow the season as much as i can...i am obviously a NY fan (more yankees, but do also follow the mets, believe it or not)...

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Posted By: Ken McMillan

Okay Brock,

Quick test of your yankee knowledge. Who was the first yankee to ever get a hit in a world series? Also, who was the first Yankee to ever scoer a run in a world series. we will see how hard od a diehard Yankee fan you are.

P. S. I know the real answer and I'm a Diehard Cubs fan.

Ken

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Posted By: DMcD

Here's a hint, Brock.
http://baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=192110050NY1
(Nope, it wasn't Babe Ruth).

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I'm not a team fanatic (have preferences), though still have a stuffed Bucky Badger (University of Wisconsin) I've had since I was about 3.

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Posted By: Richard Simon

Diehard fan of the 2007 Worlds Champions - New York Mets.
I have a Saturday ticket plan and have had it for about 10 years.
--

I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.
Unknown author
--
We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.
No retreat baby, no surrender.
The Boss

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Posted By: Dan

Well, it is the "TRIBE" for me. As many of you may not realize, the diehard Tribe fan sometimes feels as if we are a minor league team established to develope talent for the Yanks, Mets, etc. But as the story goes, we will find our feet again and hopefully get on top soon.

Either way, win-or-lose, I AM A FAN, I AM A CLEVELAND FAN, I AM A CLEVELAND INDIAN FAN... this is my therapy mantra! I just say it over and over.

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Posted By: brock

That was a good one. Is it Elmer Miller. I looked at your hint. Okay i got one for anybody its kinda easy. Who holds the major league record for most games won in a single season. Name the player and how many games he won. Its a simple one.

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Posted By: barrysloate

In the 19th century it is Hoss Radbourne with 59.

In the 20th century it is Jack Chesbro with 41.

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Posted By: Ken McMillan

Hi Brock,

Correct answer. He is my great great uncles. I have 10 different varieties of his card and an original photo shot in 1921. Good history

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Posted By: Steve f

Although I don't own a copy of the DVD set -I do own the book. IMO, those that watch or read Ken Burns Baseball are a true vintage fan. NOT a big fan of modern BB or any sports, except the Sox of '67, the Idiots of 2004.

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Posted By: John H.

While I do follow the current game closely and participate in an AL fantasy league, I consider myself much more a fan of the history of the game than I am of the present goings on in MLB. I rarely sit down and watch a game from start to finish until late in the season.

John

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Posted By: Bob

Lifelong Twins fan even though I have lived 3 states away for 45 years of their 46 years of existence. Not always easy to follow them but with the Star Trib on-line, games every night on the internet, etc., I manage.
2008 is our year.

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Posted By: Joann

I'm a fan of baseball, first and foremost. I like watching minors, college, little kids, whatever. I do like MLB games because of the buzz and the stadium and the experience. But in the end it's the game.

I am a big Tiger's fan, but maybe not a rabid fan. They sent out their season ticket mailers, and sure enough they wasted no time cashing in on last year's success. The seats I had for several years are now no longer available in a mini-package unless you buy 27+ games, half of which will be on weeknights . I live 2.5 hours away - that's a show stopper.

So although I really do cheer for the Tigers - going back to childhood - part of me will not be all that disappointed if they really suck again this year. Know what happens when they lose a lot? The stadium is half empty, I can get my 3rd-row-upper-deck seats right behind home plate for 20 games a year, park across from Comerica Park for $10 and still get to watch baseball ... there are some benefits to them losing.

And I love Ken Burns Baseball DVD. I've only seen anything past the 3rd inning once. First few installments I've seen repeatedly.

Joann

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Posted By: Scot Reader

I have suffered with the Angels since 1975 when their cleanup hitter was Leroy Stanton--who socked a team high 14 round-trippers that year (nobody else hit more than six). The rest of their lineup that year was a veritable wrecking crew that included sluggers such as Bruce Bochte, Jerry Remy, Dave Chalk and Joe Lahoud. Fortunately they had Ryan, Tanana and Figueroa to keep most games close. Now, living in Colorado, I make about half a dozen Rockies games a year with my son. They are a decent young squad that is fun to watch. But my heart is still with the Halos.

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Posted By: peter chao

Guys,

My father was a die-hard Giants fan and then one year they came in second in the NL to the hated Dodgers. My father was so disgusted because at that time Mays, McCovey, and Marichal were being paid the ungodly sum of over a $100,000 each.

Nowadays the MLB min. far exceeds a $100,000.

To this day I remain a die-hard Giants fan and fondly remember the games I went to with my dad.

Peter

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Posted By: Dave

No Tim, you are not alone. My first game was in 1969 at Crosley Field. I was six years old and my father said I slept from the third inning on. I don't get to too many games anymore since I have lived overseas for several years. Thankfully, the internet has allowed me to continue to follow the Reds and feed my collecting habbit! Based on my experiences on ebay, I would venture to guess that there are a lot more Reds fans out there.

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Posted By: Rhys

I am a HUGE Seattle Mariners fan. I was born there in the same year the team was announced and went to all sorts of games as a kid and even left a nice vomit stain on the Kingdome Floor back in 1987. With the exception of the time I spent in the Philippines, I have always seen the M's score before I go to bed. I had a fish in high school named Jay Buhner and I asked my wife if we could name our first son Ichiro in 2001 but she balked. If we have another son anytime soon I am saving the name "Yuniesky".

Rhys Yeakley

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Posted By: Cobby33

Season ticket holder.

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Posted By: Joe_G.

27 game plan (Saturdays), good seats in upper deck (behind Tiger dugout, 1st row). Looking forward to some good pitching and average offense.

Also flying down to Florida in a couple weeks, planning to attend March 10th game between Detroit & Boston, maybe others.

Best Regards,
Joe Gonsowski

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Posted By: warshawlaw

Been a Yankees fan since I was a child. Saw my first game in person though at Shea Stadium (Mets v. Cardinals in 1973; saw Mays and Brock in one game) but never cared for the Mets. I was at Yankees Stadium whem Bill Lee and Graig Nettles had their brawl, cried for joy when Chambliss hit it out against the Royals in '76, and mourned at game 3 that year (field box seats no less) as the Big Red Machine steam-rolled my Yankees. I read Dynasty until the spine fell off. My favorite players all time who I actually saw play are Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry and Paul O'Neil. Obviously, I don't get to see my team very often live but I watch quite a few games a year on tv and read the baseball news every day. I also follow the Dodgers; more of a hobby than a passion. I generally make it out to Chavez Ravine half a dozen times a year. It is a very pleasant way to spend an evening in SoCal.

Perhaps the best aspect of baseball is watching my daughter and nephews get into it. Last year I took my family to see a game at the stadium because it was probably the only chance I will ahve to take my daughter there before it is torn down. She really enjoys baseball too. We were over at the little league field today picking up uniforms, then off to the sporting goods store to buy more practice balls; my daughter lost six of them over the wall today (lefty with power).