What Would It Take To Question Your Own Fandom?

[LimestoneBaggy]

After pleasantly perusing the site since its inception, I've noticed a severe souring of the community's collective outlook. I noticed this myself as I watched the latest foray into pitching hell. It's made me wonder; how bad would it have to be for me to stop watching/listening/gamedaying (made up words are fun)? With our diverse group, what say ye?

 

For me, I'm too much of a homer. All the "fire this guy"/"drop that guy" talk is completely opposite of my thoughts (perhaps valid commentary, but not my perpective). I'm watching every game I can, right down to where we call up BJ or Tim for a spot start.....it could happen, or maybe we get this thing turned around. The worse we are, the cheaper the tickets, the better the draft picks, right?

 

and go.....

[twinsnorth49]

Couldn't question my fandom, I love the Twins....Win or Lose.

 

Although I don't agree with the negative Nellie/Chicken Little crowd, I don't question their fanhood, they comment because they care, just like everybody who belongs to sites like these.

[TwinVike61]

For me, as last year's Titanic season scraped past the iceberg and started to list, I would make less of an effort to check the gameday updates during my busy evenings with family and during the inevitable conclusion of Tolbert-Tosoni-Butera-Repko-Hohum I would just check the box scores in the morning paper.

 

I'm definately not there this year as the offense has shown at times that they may be able to overcome the starting pitching ineptitudeness (is that a made up word?)

[Thrylos]

I love the Twins win and lose. Period. I watch every single game ableit 10% canned.

 

However, I would like them to win and I cannot stand it when they lose. When there are specific reasons why the lose (IMHO) I open my mouth about it. So when I think that this team needs severe change on the top, I say it because I love them and I want them to win, not because there is a "bandwagon" and I am off it. Nope. I don't get the fans who accept loss after loss after loss and are happy with the people who are ruining their team. I suspect that they are the same funs who go to the ballgames and sit by the concession stands and talk about food and beer instead of watching the game.

[Bark's Lounge]

With every off season hope is renewed and it is a fresh start. Unlike the 2001-2010 off seasons, there did not seem to be a fathomable reason to believe we would have much more than a 70-80 win season coming into this year. One could hope that our offense would improve because of health even with the loss of Cuddyer and Kubel, but the pitching was an open wound that you just had this feeling would fester for a while. By not claiming the Ultimate Baseball Trophy, I can understand the bitterness of an opportunity lost by most passionate Twin's Fans in those 11 seasons, but it is not easy and most times takes a bit of luck. The 2006 season is my lost opportunity season. It is going to take awhile for the Twin's to revamp their pitching and we probably won't see .500 for a bit of time. You have to then disassociate yourself form W's & L's and focus on other achievements like Good Offense, individual successes, and the development of younger prospects turning into very good Major leaguers to bide your time between playoff contending seasons. Hopefully the last 2 and following 2 years can bring some good pitching prospects through the draft who can make a difference sooner than later. Me myself, am a baseball fan first and a Twins fan 2nd and I think I can say, for me at least, that you have to enjoy a bad losing season before you can truly enjoy a winning one.

[twinsnorth49]

I. I don't get the fans who accept loss after loss after loss and are happy with the people who are ruining their team. I suspect that they are the same funs who go to the ballgames and sit by the concession stands and talk about food and beer instead of watching the game.

So essentially you don't understand fans who don't agree with you?

 

Fans enjoy the Twins and baseball in a variety of ways, your way doesn't make you more of a fan or a better one. That's how you come across.......just saying.

[Top Gun]

I have listen to just about every game the Twins have played since 1961 so guess I will listen to a few more.

[Bark's Lounge]

I have listen to just about every game the Twins have played since 1961 so guess I will listen to a few more.

Awesome! I am sure you have a wealth of knowledge on the subject of Twins History and that could be to the benefit of most of us. I am sure that everyone who has posted to this thread will watch or listen to the game also.

[KNine]

So essentially you don't understand fans who don't agree with you?

 

Fans enjoy the Twins and baseball in a variety of ways, your way doesn't make you more of a fan or a better one. That's how you come across.......just saying.

What he (^) said.

 

Here's hoping for a combination of really good individual performances, a handful of good games and/or a few weeks of success to happen for the good guys to turn it around!!! I would hope the contributors here who are "just calling it like I see it" are as quick to turn (and post) for the Twins, both individually and collectively, as they have been to turn against them... though that's usually not the case.

[Steve Lein]

There are definitely different types of fans, but that is what makes a site like this great, getting them all together to voice their opinions and have discussions. Like twinsnorth49 says, if you weren't a fan who cares, why would you post here?

 

I'm behind this team 100%, 100% of the time. But because of that, I'm certainly going to voice any frustrations I have with them and my displeasure with their losses, but in the same way that I'm going to celebrate their successes and victories.

 

Personally, I came into this season with little expectations. I thought the Twins could be decent, maybe even contend in the AL Central if everything went right, but realistically, that just isn't possible. I'd prefer to just enjoy watching the games, and hope they score some runs and make it entertaining, but my fandom doesn't necessarily allow that to happen either. Letting Luke Hughes go irritated me. The ineptitude of the pitching staff irritates me. Not getting a runner in from 3rd with nobody out and your 3-4-5 hitters due up irritates me. But I wouldn't consider myself a "fan" if those things didn't.

[Riverbrian]

I watch the games and if I can't watch the games... I'm thinking about what is going on in the game. Each individual player is a story in itself. Different skill sets and different results but each player paid dues in the minors at near slave wages to get here and each player faces competition at the highest level competing against them to produce failure on the field and talent challenging them from below to take their jobs. Tack on to that fans like us who are ready to say that Blackburn Sucks even though Blackburn has accomplished more just to get to the majors then anyone of the people saying Blackburn sucks could dream of accomplishing. For some of these guys... The baseball window is small and closing. I dont begrudge the salary and business side of baseball because of what they go thru in the minors... Baseball is flat out drama.

 

 

Baseball is Reality TV at its best... Forget Survivor, Ice Road Truckers or the real housewives of Wherever. Baseball is reality TV. Unscripted and Beautiful. The Twins are my team and each player plays for me. I was sad to see Hughes DFA'd. Revere sent down to AAA broke my heart. I want this team to perform at the highest level. The only players that bother me are the players who I think don't try as hard as they can. Delmon Young was the only Twin I've given up on. I haven't given up on Velencia yet.

 

This is my team. I win with them... I lose with them.

[TwinsTakes-RD]

I can't imagine anything stopping me from being a Twins fan! I try to watch every game, at the game, live on TV or a recording of it. At one of my Fantasy Football drafts, I recorded the Twins game and someone checked their phone and said what the score was and I said I had recorded the game. They asked why I would record the Twins game since they were having a horrible season. Why not?

 

There's always a reason to watch in my opinion. I say "any pitch, any player" because any player can make a great play on any pitch and anything can happen in a given baseball game. You could see a no-hitter, a triple-play, someone hit for the cycle or hit 4 home runs, Ben Revere execute a somersault between 2nd & 3rd base, a great defensive play or Mike Redmond hit a triple! Why wouldn't you watch? The last game of last season was one of the best games I've ever seen! A 1-0 game with a Trevor Plouffe walk-off hit to end the season!

 

I think the only thing that could make me think hard about being a Twins fan is if the players weren't out there playing hard every game. I can't stand when fans say they are done with this team because they are losing. Why are you a fan if you can't even last through the first 20 games of a 162-game season? They can do whatever they want but to me, if they players haven't given up than why should I?

[TwinsFanLV]

I'm voting with my wallet. Off this weekend to see another 2 Class "A" California League games and spend my money there. Won't be travelling to Target Field this year. Won't return until the owners remove the culture of losing that permeates the franchise. I'll drive 4 hours each way, won't pay to park and my ticket will cost $8-$12.

 

Won't be buying my 15 year old Twin sons replica Twins jerseys for their BDay this year, even though last years jerseys are too small. You wouldn't believe me if I told you their names, but they rhyme.

[Guest USAFChief]

I question my fandom after every loss..."why do I put myself through this?" And then I'm back watching, or listening, or checking the box score for the next days game.

 

I've done that since 1963, when my dad took me to my first game at the Met. I can honestly say I don't think there's been a Twins game since then that I didn't watch, listen to, or check on as soon as possible afterwards (because there was something that prevented me from watching or listening.) I followed religiously through some pretty lean times. Rejoiced over 2 world series wins, literally cried after one world series loss. I found a way to follow them through 11+ years overseas, including in the early 80's when my mother in law (bless her heart) would tape games on cassettes and mail them to me so I could listen to a few. I've sat on my rooftop trying to get better "skip" from an AM station in Lexington Nebraska because the Twins were playing the Royals and those were the days before the internet and cable TV. I've seen the Twins play in over a dozen different stadiums, and will add to that total in Seattle a little over a week from now...meeting my son (who I infected with Twins fanaticsm...sorry son) who will be TDY there (can't wait!).

 

The bottom line is, I love baseball, but I particularly love the Twins. I enjoy watching them win more than I enjoy watching them lose, but I'll end up watching tomorrow no matter what happens today. So I reserve the right to batch a little if I think they could be doing things that make winning more likely. To each his own.

 

I also want to say that I am grateful to Seth, Nick, John and Parker for putting a site like this together where I can share my fandom with all of you'se guys. and gals.

[twinsnorth49]

I'm voting with my wallet. Off this weekend to see another 2 Class "A" California League games and spend my money there. Won't be travelling to Target Field this year. Won't return until the owners remove the culture of losing that permeates the franchise. I'll drive 4 hours each way, won't pay to park and my ticket will cost $8-$12.

 

Won't be buying my 15 year old Twin sons replica Twins jerseys for their BDay this year, even though last years jerseys are too small. You wouldn't believe me if I told you their names, but they rhyme.

 

I applaud your full and utter commitment to non-fandom. To not only disavow the team yourself but to also force your kids to disown them as well, that my friend is full on Chicken and the Pig stuff.

 

Just to be clear, Twins Win= good, will cheer or at least politely clap, Twins lose= completely lose the ability to have rational thoughts and descend into bitter, jaded, cynical abyss because Joe Mauer hasn't hit the ball at the right time often enough in the last 19 games and Jim Pohlad refuses to have a public execution outside Target Field involving Terry Ryan, Ron Gardenhire and anyone else who doesn't actually play in the game but is somehow responsible for pitchers who don't know what a strike zone is despite miraculously reaching the major league level.

 

But hey, it takes all kinds, who am I to judge (and I'm not), I just like drinking beer while watching grown men play a child's game.......isn't that really what it's about?

[Riverbrian]

I question my fandom after every loss..."why do I put myself through this?" And then I'm back watching, or listening, or checking the box score for the next days game.

 

I've done that since 1963, when my dad took me to my first game at the Met. I can honestly say I don't think there's been a Twins game since then that I didn't watch, listen to, or check on as soon as possible afterwards (because there was something that prevented me from watching or listening.) I followed religiously through some pretty lean times. Rejoiced over 2 world series wins, literally cried after one world series loss. I found a way to follow them through 11+ years overseas, including in the early 80's when my mother in law (bless her heart) would tape games on cassettes and mail them to me so I could listen to a few. I've sat on my rooftop trying to get better "skip" from an AM station in Lexington Nebraska because the Twins were playing the Royals and those were the days before the internet and cable TV. I've seen the Twins play in over a dozen different stadiums, and will add to that total in Seattle a little over a week from now...meeting my son (who I infected with Twins fanaticsm...sorry son) who will be TDY there (can't wait!).

 

The bottom line is, I love baseball, but I particularly love the Twins. I enjoy watching them win more than I enjoy watching them lose, but I'll end up watching tomorrow no matter what happens today. So I reserve the right to batch a little if I think they could be doing things that make winning more likely. To each his own.

 

I also want to say that I am grateful to Seth, Nick, John and Parker for putting a site like this together where I can share my fandom with all of you'se guys. and gals.

Guys like us shouldn't ever be accused of jumping off the bandwagon... We are the bandwagon... Enjoy Seattle... Check out Pike Place before the game. Forget the fish tossing... Just enjoy the food... It's a better value then the Safeco Sushi.

[Bark's Lounge]

Damn, Gee whiz. There has been a lot of heartbreaking posts put on this thread. I am authentically compassionate to all of your plights. Someday the Twins will be good again. Not today, not tomorrow, not even next year... but maybe the next... maybe the one after that. At least our hometown team has won the big one - 2 times!!! Baseball has its ebbs and flows, Baseball can hurt like a lost love interest, Baseball can hurt like a never ending headache, baseball can damn well suck the life out of you. The Twins have been competitive for 11 years. That is awesome right? Right now it is our time to not be very good. We will have our day again. This I promise,

[Guest USAFChief]

Guys like us shouldn't ever be accused of jumping off the bandwagon... We are the bandwagon... Enjoy Seattle... Check out Pike Place before the game. Forget the fish tossing... Just enjoy the food... It's a better value then the Safeco Sushi.

I've actually been to Safeco, just didn't see the Twins there.

 

Wasn't all that impressed with the place.

[rogrulz30]

I am a fan no matter what, there will always be players, managers, owners, GM's that I really like and don't like. I have an option to write about whatever I want hear and listen to Twins fans takes. It is fun, I love the Twins good or bad, if bad I can try and figure what went wrong and complain about something.

[Ultima Ratio]

What would question my fandom????

 

A: A wildly attractive woman wearing a White Sox jersey, rubbing on my leg. I'd question my allegiances for some moments... then snap out of it.

[twinsnorth49]

What would question my fandom????

 

A: A wildly attractive woman wearing a White Sox jersey, rubbing on my leg. I'd question my allegiances for some moments... then snap out of it.

Ok, time to snap out of it now, the rubbing your leg part is creeping us out!.............oh and the Chi-Sox jersey is too.

[Bark's Lounge]

What would question my fandom????

 

A: A wildly attractive woman wearing a White Sox jersey, rubbing on my leg. I'd question my allegiances for some moments... then snap out of it.

Wait! Don't judge too fast. She might have a Vienna Hot beef sandwich waiting for you or better... a Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.... yummmmm!

[Riverbrian]

What would question my fandom????

 

A: A wildly attractive woman wearing a White Sox jersey, rubbing on my leg. I'd question my allegiances for some moments... then snap out of it.

lol... Yeah that would make me say "put it on the board... Yes".

 

I would also snap out of it by thinking "touch em all".

[Cody Christie]

I think being really bad last year has helped me to take a more calm approach to the entire situation this year. I am going to go to games and watch as many games as I can on TV. If I am in my car, I listen to them on the radio. Baseball is a wonderful game and the Twins are the team I have picked to love. I am dedicated to the team through thick and thin, for better or worse, until death do us part.

[Nick Nelson]

This is a pretty great thread. Love seeing all the perspectives.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

When the Twins won in 87 and 91 I was old enough that I still remember watching the games, but I have more vivd memories of the really lean years in the mid 90's after Puckett and Hrbek retired and we were left cheering for some pretty terrible teams - last year and this year have almost (Almost!) felt nostalgic for me.

I went to a lot of those games at the Dome where the Twins looked more like the Minnesota Gophers than an MLB team, but I still had a lot of fun. It makes the last year and a half easier to take for me - it feels familiar in some ways.

I would only question my allegiance to the Twins if they decided to become openly racist or replace the 7th inning stetch with a ceremonial release of wasps in the outfield.

[CDog]

Seinfeld has a bit about why we cheer for the home team. The players are always changing, they typically don't have any real connection to the area or the team other than circumstance. His punchline is that "essentially we're just cheering for laundry." That is, the guy in the home-town clothes versus the "same" guy in the visiting clothes. I really try not to fall into that trap. Along those lines, somewhere I stopped being invested in the Vikings as they paraded criminals, jerks, and punks through the roster. The Timberwolves have twice gone through phases that basically made me unable to cheer for them. Neither of those had anything to do with wins and losses. So I suppose a similar situation could happen with the Twins that would turn me off to some extent. But I don't think there's an amount of losing that will bring the fandom into question.

[wblmayo24]

I would never stop following them, I would keep my fandom to myself if they were 0-161 going into the last game. I also dislike (read: f-ing hate) reading about all the negative comments and complaints about our favorite 9, so when I visit this amazing site, I read the articles but don't read the comments because my face gets Gardy-like. I will never leave the bandwagon and as we go through our down years in the cycle I will continue gamedaying and screaming at the screen/yelling at the radio, etc.

[Boom Boom]

Since July of last year I haven't bought tickets to any Twins games. I have gone to a couple, when the tickets were free. When watching from home I've been tending to flip the channel after the 3rd inning (usually because the Twins are down by several runs). I still consider myself a fan, but I've got no reason to dedicate time and money to a product that I don't feel is worth it. I'd say I'm a bandwagon fan, and I don't think anybody should be sorry for jumping off recently.

[gil4]

A wildly attractive woman wearing a White Sox jersey, rubbing on my leg. I'd question my allegiances for some moments... then snap out of it.

I think I'd suggest we slip into something more comfortable...and hand her a Twins jersey