Can we all agree to just "enjoy the ride"?
by Zeke on Apr 21, 2009 7:29 AM CDT
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PrintI've enjoyed lurking on and posting to BCB for several years. Many, many posters here are thoughtful, knowledgeable baseball fans and ardent supporters of the Chicago Cubs. I enjoy reading your thoughts, thinking about your observations and perspectives, and your sharing a little about your lives as we all follow the flow of the seasons.
But I have to say, there seems to be a rise in negativity and fervor that transcends fandom. So much so at times, that I don't enjoy visiting the game threads. I sense from other comments from BCBers that I'm not alone in my concern.
The Cubs management and the players themselves are trying their best to play well, win a pennant and get into the World Series. The season is a LONG one. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
There will be good days. There will be bad days. There will be some REALLY bad days, but that's part of "the ride".
This is a good team- perhaps the best in the league, but we won't know that for sure until October.
I've followed the Cubs and Tigers when they were REALLY bad. It would be a shame to diminish or waste enjoying this Cubs season by constantly looking at the glass as half full, filled the kerosine and on fire.
No, I'm not saying we should all be Pollyanna. "Kevetching" (sp?) is human nature. But let's keep things in perspective and ENJOY the ride. If memory serves, Al has said this in previous seasons. He's right.
Savor the season. It's just begun! Baseball is a joy to follow and I can't think of any luckier fans, than Cubs fans.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Rec'd
This is exactly what we should do. Even the best teams lose 1/3 of their games, and sometimes they look really bad doing it. This Cub team has its flaws, even so it seems to know how to find ways to win. That’s the mark of a good team — last year’s team has it, and so far this year’s team seems to have it, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
It's been quoted before and worth repeating
“Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it’s what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season.”
Split on the road, win the series at home, and you’re off to a 100+ win season.
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
So far in 2009..
… the Cubs have played four series. They have won three of them and split the other. Keep that up and this year will turn out just fine.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Yeah and had the Colorado series gone 3 games...
…we woulda won that too.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
but we still need a....
I keed, I keed
Since Lou came on board, I’ve loved the makeup of the teams. Balanced. Every player has his role. It may not be glamorous, but it works.
Now, Lou has to figure out post-season. As we all know, the team with the best record, most superstars, or highest payroll doesn’t equate to post-season wins.
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
what?
no calling to DFA someone for striking out with runners on?
or insisting lou change his lineup for my whim?
okay (grumble, grumble, grumble) :)
i dont know about y'all...
but im 100% thrilled the baseball season has begun. Now if we can just get a little warmer weather all will be well with the world.
im gonna root against your ballclub for the next three games but i’ll be back in the blue corner this weekend. The Cubs have a lot to embrace as they have assembled a talented ballclub. Keep an eye on the rearviewmirror!
(and puh-puh-puh-lease let me know if there is any way to trade Dusty for Sweet Lou)
"I've actually never had a drink before, tonight I might try it out. We'll see."
—Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, on turning 21
sure....
throw in cueto, votto, and volquez
we’ll present you vizcaino and dlee.
then we’ll have dusty bench coach for trammell
Tram wouldn't have him.
He’d go get Kirk Gibson and Lance Parrish…
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
I will agree with your assessment............
but honestly and objectively discussing our beloved Cub’s trials and tribulations, even if that includes negativity, is not unhealthy.
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Get worked up about a loss can be unhealthy
Getting worked up 60 times a year can be hazardous to your health.
True fact is that losing 60 games a year is going to happen. No sense getting stressed over something that’s going to happen anyway. Like the sun will rise tomorrow, the Cubs will lose at minimum 60 games this year. And that’s being positive. 102-60 is pretty darn good.
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
Nobody is stressing over the 60+ plus gamnes the Cubs will lose..............
it’s the HEALTHY debate, both pros and cons, that make us the great Cub fans that we are.
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
oops....games
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Clutche
a whole lotta that debate isn’t “healthy”.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
but what if they win 112 and only lose 50
then we have to get worked up about the fact you were wrong
(sarcasm)
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Agreed.
It’s easier to complain or worry about the Cubs to the guy (metaphorically) sitting next you wearing the same shade of blue than it is to someone who doesn’t follow baseball, or who roots for another team. And a big part of human nature is complaing about the down side of something, even if that down side is a tiny part of the whole. It gives us a vent so when somehing good happens, we can just focus on the good for a little while before going back to the ledge.
How long should we give sig lines at the bottom of the comments?
Bradley watch -- out 3 games of 11
clearly you haven't been in the game threads
when it goes beyond mere grousing into personal attacks and mob mentality. Clutche underplays the phenomenon.
I've been mobbed and personally attacked myself............
but I clearly understand it’s just part of lively discussion and debate. I suggest if you’re thin skinned and can’t take the heat then get out of the kitchen.
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
It's not a matter of being "thin skinned"
It’s a matter of civility so that everyone can participate, not just those with one point of view
by Emelie on Apr 21, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Agreed
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
I haven't encountered anyone with....
just ONE point of view. Sometimes they agree and sometimes they disagree, but isn’t that they way it should be, or should we all become mamby-pambies?
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
"Namby"
Denny Crane.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 21, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
That's why I stay out of game threads
My temper and those fans… it would be bad.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
the worst one so far this year
was the second game to the Cards. The third game to the Cards was relatively light.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
It's just best if I'm not there
Besides, my office set-up isn’t the most conducive to watching and typing at the same time.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
I usually stay away when they are losing
It just gets too ugly
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 21, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I say away in general this year
I don’t have as much time. Plus listening to people suggest Geo on ‘roids or personal insults or how DLee sucks. Trust me I am NOT thin skinned or namby pamby, but if I’m listening/ watching the game I don’t want to have my experience ruined by someone doing nothing but bitching about the game. Not my idea of fun. Baseball for me takes me away from the stresses in my life. If i’m gonna bitch…. my grandpa being sick again, me or one of my best friends deployed is a topic I’d pick, as opposed to getting worked up about where DLee should be in the lineup.
"So chicks dig guys who TAKE AWAY the long ball, too? " by dat cubfan daver
by Madison Cub Fan on Apr 21, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry your grandfather is sick again
Wait, you’re being deployed?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 21, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
OMG! Thanks for catching that typo.......
suppose to say my grandpa being sick again, or me dealing w/ one of my best friends deployed is a topic I’d pick, as opposed to getting worked up about where DLee should be in the lineup.
Yep, not sure how serious yet. He has an appt this afternoon.
"So chicks dig guys who TAKE AWAY the long ball, too? " by dat cubfan daver
by Madison Cub Fan on Apr 21, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
hope it is nothing major
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
+1 rec'd
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
That does seem to be a problem sometimes, particularly recently.
Maybe Al should require all the incoming freshmen to take Netiquette 101.
(On second thought, I hated some of those requisite courses in college. Maybe not.)
How long should we give sig lines at the bottom of the comments?
Bradley watch -- out 3 games of 11
recd
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I agree it's not unhealthy when done in a civil discourse, but then the positive and negative comments should be about 50/50.
Without going back and counting each post, it hasn’t seemed that way recently- at least in the game threads. And the Cubs are in first place. I shudder to imagine the tone if they were 4-7 (or worse) instead of 7-4. WIn 3 out of every five and it’s playoff time come October. ;)
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
Its not saying to not be honest a
its saying that there is a difference between living and dying with each pitch or move, instead of looking at this as a game that is meant to entertain us first and foremost.
we are all here because we love baseball and love the Cubs, so going from one extreme to another with each pitch is a bit over the edge, and I do agree.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I agree with you Zeke
but there are far too many nervous nellies around here.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
and nervous Neds
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
I'm pretty sure there's a post like this each season.
The people that freak out and overreact during game threads are going to continue to do so. Those of us that agree with you are going to continue to enjoy just watching the Cubs. Everyone’s going to get frustrated at times – it’s simply natural for fans that really care – but there are some people that post on this site that simply can’t look at the bigger picture. I appreciate what you’re saying here, but I can’t help but think that the people you’re talking to for the most part are going to keep on ledge jumping at the first sign of trouble tonight. You’re best off ignoring them, which I know can be difficult at times.
And this just serves as more reason to get an ‘ignore’ function on here. On the main Badger forum I visit, you can ignore specific users (usually the trolls and overly negative people), and it makes it 10x more tolerable and enjoyable.
Ron Santo should sing TMOTTBG everyday. Period.
I'd never use it
but I understand why people would want to.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
I like the ignore feature idea
I like it a lot
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
What Badger forum is that?
Linky?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 21, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Scout.com boards:
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=193
Some very knowledgeable posters there, but just like Cubs fans there some people who are convinced the world is ending, Bo is the worst coach ever, and the football team will win 3 games every year from now until eternity. But the ignore function saves the day.
Ron Santo should sing TMOTTBG everyday. Period.
Thanks!
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 21, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I can understand the appeal of such a feature.
You’d like to think we could all agree to be civil to each other, but I guess it’s like life. Even in my neighborhood, there are still people who I’d just rather “ignore” due to the manner they conduct themselves and their business. It’s unfortunate.
So I see your point. Could be worth trying on a limited basis I guess…
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
You can send this to...
… support (at) sbnation (dot) com as a feature request.
But I have a feeling they’ll decline. Why? Well, let’s say you ignore someone. Then the responses to that person, which you might NOT ignore, wouldn’t make any sense in the thread.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
i second that...
because there are far too many here who just can’t be civil for whatever reason… and it’s usually the people who don’t want to hear that you might have a minor complaint about the performance of a certain player or how a player is being used… we’re all fans… we all have a right to expect the most from our team whether we exercise it or not.
And i don’t think it would be that big of a disruption to the threads… a person’s post who you would like to ignore could just show up with a notation instead of the person’s post, such as “ignored post”. And then you could even have an option to reveal the post… I’m not saying it would be that worthwhile to put the work in on coding it, or even be technologically feasible, but it would improve the sbnation experience.
There are far too many people who just want to snipe at people who don’t share their viewpoints or post some silly graphic that adds nothing to the discussion. They could just move on to another thread or have some reasonable refutation to what you have to say… but they don’t. I don’t usually bother with these forums because of it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Apr 21, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Makes sense
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
I can live with that
WoW has an ignore feature and yes, often conversations appear disjointed but it readily becomes apparent that the ignored individual is up to his or her usual nonsense.
Very well said.
But I don’t think they’re simply trying to “get into the World Series.” That’s simply not enough.
remember
Sammy Jankis
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 21, 2009 10:51 AM CDT reply actions
Agreed, but most of Cubs Nation would be thrilled to win a playoff series.
Gotta start somewhere. Three wins in the postseason, followed by 4 more followed by four more…
But it all starts with one win ;)
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
Oh most definitely.
But making it to the World Series, even after all this time, wouldn’t be enough. See Super Bowl XLI.
remember
Sammy Jankis
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 21, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Super Bowl? What's that? All we get in Michigan is the Lions.
So it COULD be worse, eh? ;)
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
This is how fans get spoiled
we finally have a consistently winning baseball team and each year that we do not capture the ultimate prize, it gets more painful and stressful. Back in the day when the Cubs were losing 100 games a year, we would quit watching them altogether by Aug 1. Now we are watching every game, critiquing every pitch, player change, batting order, etc., and we are more emotionally invested because we can taste a WS Championship.
We have been to the playoffs at a decent clip these last 10 years and we all want the Cubs to finally get the WS monkey of their back. I would guess that Boston fans are pretty brutal at times when it comes to watching the Red Sox lose now. Everyone’s expectations are higher than ever, especially these last two years when all the pieces (or at least 98% of them) are seemingly in place.
This is not a rant against anyone, just an observation. Don’t get me wrong, I bitch about the Cubs as much, if not more than anyone. Ask my wife! lol I do try not to post any over the top negativity, but I will let my feelings be known on this blog.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Zeke
…you are now my favorite BCBer. Thank you for this needed thread.
Hey, I'm not above lobbing a grouse or two now and again
but it’s such a LONG season that it’s just unhealthy for me personally to get SOOOOOO involved in a negative way for days on end that I lose perspective on what really matters…like my wife (who is even more rabid a Cubs fan that I am!) and my family.
Anyway, thanks for the kind words and GO CUBS!
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
Enjoy the foreplay
Most of the fun of getting to the playoffs is the 162 games of foreplay. I thoroughly enjoyed last year. Yes, the final result was not the big bang we wanted, but that can happen to the best of teams.
Naysayers, if your idea of foreplay is, “Brace yourself, here I come!” and don’t want to enjoy the season, find a hobby and join us in October.
Word of advise: during foreplay, don’t tell your partner that they’re terrible at what they’re doing.
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
by flachimesa on Apr 21, 2009 11:17 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
LOL. +162!
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
rofl
I’m going to view the gamethreads in a COMPLETELY different light now. I hope Emelie, Sue and HBCG, among others, read this comment.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
So, you're saying fake IT rather than tell your partner what turns you on so to speak?
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Not quite a valid comparison, unless you have an audience with Piniella or Hendry
and please, no one go “there”.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 21, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
rec'd
and I canot agree more.
I am not sure if its the new faces (mine included), but I believe that it may have more to do with expectations than anything. this team has been built to win for the past three seasons (07-08-09).
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
The only problem is
some people enjoy the ride through negativity. They enjoy being miserable and, even more so, enjoy making others miserable around them. Most of these posters are not people who are around when the Cubs do good but rather only when the Cubs do bad, its the saying, “Misery loves company.”
Though I completely agree with your post, the simple fact of the matter is, the people most in need of this kind of mentality are simply going to ignore it because that’s not how they ‘enjoy’ games. Or they are just trolls.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
Maybe there should be two threads
One for anyone who just wants to piss and moan about the Cubs and another for people want to have reasonable discussions
"So chicks dig guys who TAKE AWAY the long ball, too? " by dat cubfan daver
by Madison Cub Fan on Apr 21, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
we've tried that
the naysayers follow. Of course, this year’s crop isn’t as smart…
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
lol
Like DannySatan, or whatever the name, who sat in the original thread the entire game. That was good.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
maybe the waiting period to post should be longer
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
so basically they want to rain on others parade.... not just misery enjoys company
"So chicks dig guys who TAKE AWAY the long ball, too? " by dat cubfan daver
by Madison Cub Fan on Apr 21, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
quite.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Correct
They also like drawing attention to themselves. They’re like shock jocks.
If you had to list 50 posters on BCB, I bet the naysayers would be remembered before some of the others. For all the wrong reasons. They are the Lindsay Lohan’s of BCB.
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
Naw, they were never cute when they were younger.
The posters that fire for impact get the most response and some seem to thrive on that attention.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
negativity!
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
dood.
you’re not impressing anyone.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
That's not my intent....dude
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
I wonder which would have the most posts
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
I'd rather have a game thread of 200 comments of smart baseball talk
than one of 500 comments of WTFs.
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
That's unfortunate
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Oh please no
One thread. Everyone there. Just ignore the cronic naysayers.
This thing about “only positive” is just as childish as those who say “game over” when they blow a lead in the 4th inning.
Life is cruel sometimes. Some negative posts may have some intelligence to them. Others likely not so much. Pick ones you’d want to respond to and do so. Just ignore the others.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
rec'd
thank you….thank you….thank you.
"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck
Very well done!
Personally, I’ve paid less attention to the club compared to other years at this point in time because it is such a long season. Over analysis at this early stage is really a complete waste of time, and those who apply excessive meaning to every single game will be on the proverbial rollar coaster of emotion.
It’s going to be a while before this club rounds into complete form (40-50 games), and by that time, hopefully the Blackhawks will be in the finals.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Personally, I get tired of this debate but, for the record...
personal attacks and mob mentality are never right and, in fact, are beneath all of us as people who share the common ground of being Cub fans.
As long as people do it in a civil way though, I don’t see what’s so wrong about pointing out problems with the team. I mean, isn’t that part of being a fan too or is it just about cheerleading at all times because, to some, that’s “healthy”?
And, for the record, the mob mentality and personal attacks part goes both ways-I’ve certainly seen many instances of the “cheerleaders” ganging up on the “ledgejumpers” and being abusive too.
Part of the problem, of course, is with the forum itself; people tend to be a lot more confrontational when they’re hiding behind the anonymity of a keyboard than they would be in real world situations.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 21, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
My coupla pennies
I have no problem with criticism in moderation. It’s the people who feel the need to point out every little flaw, and see no upside to the team that get on my nerves. The ones with their personal hobgoblins who can never say anything good even when something good just happened. The ones who mutter “just wait” when the Cubs are threatening to, heaven forfend!, win a game.
I’ve succumbed to sarcasm on occasion (waits for it), and I can see that this team has some issues, just like the 29 others out there. But I am a fan, and when the team does well, I celebrate. I don’t say “That’s great, but…” I just revel in it, and look forward to the next good moment – not the next bad one which justifies my pessimism.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
It.
Now you can stop waiting.
How long should we give sig lines at the bottom of the comments?
Bradley watch -- out 3 games of 11
I agree with you Clutch
and, for what it’s worth, I can understand how excessive negativity, especially when things are going well, can be annoying.
Part of the problem too is that for some of us, a lifetime of cheering for the Cubs, has tended to, sadly, bring out the more pessimistic side of our nature.
There’s a line from a mid-80’s documentary on the Cubs (delivered by Mike Royko) that an optimist looks at a glass and says it’s “half full”, a pessimist looks at the same glass and says it’s “half empty”. A Cub fan looks at the same glass and says, “when is it going to spill?”.
That being said though, I’d much rather be cheering for them and hoping for the best. I’ve personally just learned to keep my enthusiasm semi-in check.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 21, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
For a Cubs fan, guarded optimism is certainly a survival trait
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
It's always best to be reasonable.
I agree with koolaide that this thing swings both ways.
Last year during NLDS Game 2, the pollyannas formed their own thread where they could talk about lollypops and rainbows* and ignore the 10-spot that had just been dropped on Zambrano.
*Assumed topics – this poster didn’t partake.
What is the point of a forum to discuss the everyday workings and performance of the Chicago National League Ballclub if we all have to act like Carrie Muskat and scream that “ALL IS WELL” even as the Dodgers are circling the bases?
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
there is a big difference between
coming on the board and screaming “cubs suck, Zambrano is a giant f@g” and actually discussing the everyday workings and performance of the Cubs.
I was in that gamethread during NDLS Game 2. It was NOT a rational discussion of what was going on. It was the freakin’ apocalypse.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 21, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm all tingly, now.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Just ignore
those who annoy you. I agree that the threads can get ridiculous at times. I like to vent once in awhile but I don’t call for Lee to be DFA’d every time he rolls into a double play. Everyone is different and if you find someone to be an insufferable DB, ignore them. I don’t post that often, but usually check the threads. I do agree with one point; the “positive” camp can be just as prone to attack people as the “negative” folks. Just don’t respond to the guys who post outrageous, ridiculous comments that annoy you. When the baiters stop getting any attention, they will go away. I personally think this is going to be one hell of a year for the Cub nation. I’ll be there screaming myself hoarse on Thursday; first trip up since 2006.
by qccub on Apr 21, 2009 1:31 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Very well said
and words that I think we ALL could benefit from. The problem is that sometimes our pesky human nature gets the best of us and we take the bait. That’s one of the main reasons why I stay away from the game threads as much as I can.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 21, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
sounds good
until you see 3240310406464 follow up posts to someone comment about the game, topic, etc.
too often you see someone post something like this
Hoff should start over Lee because of blah blah blah
and instead of a converstaion about it, you get hit with a bunch of
OMG how stuipid are you, were you born last night, you should be shot for being such an ignorant fool, I am gonna have to go bang my head against the wall to get your stupid idea out of my head
and then Worf jumps in and kicks you in the nads (sarcasm)
and that is not easy to ignore, and that will lead to a long argument that could have been avoided by some decent debate or agreeing to disagree. It can get too personal sometimes as well. I think before hitting post sometimes, all of us need to take a minute and read the reply once more and make sure we truly want to say what we are about to say, and ask ourselves how would it look if it were quoted during the news as something that the poster said.
just my two cents
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Good idea
I find myself doing that very thing (reading over a post before replying) because it is so easy to get pulled into an argument that’s usually a complete waste of time and energy for all involved. I mean, for all of he huffing and puffing we do, how often is the other side really converted?
by bluekoolaide on Apr 21, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
sometimes the one who starts the problem
is long gone while we all keep kicking it around
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
To debate is not to convert
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
well said
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Good point
I guess the problem is that to often these things quickly degenerate from “debate” to “argument”.
I’m personally all debating anything. the trick is to keep emotions out of it.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 21, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I certainly don't remember much "Hoff should start".
(With the exception of one FanPost, that is, which led to a discussion in which no one proposed that Hoff should start.)
I was, however, one of the primary proponents of the “Hendry should try to trade Lee and sign Teixera”, and “Hoff should spell Lee more often in 2009”, and “Hoff should get a chance to perform Daryl Ward’s job in 2009” memes. I still think that those ideas are/were correct.
That doesn’t mean that I hate Derrek Lee, or that I think he should be benched immediately in favor of a TWENTY NINE YEAR OLD ROOKIE (!!!!). But the arguments certainly get phrased that way in the retelling….
It simply means that, if it were at all possible to accommodate Derrek with a trade, I would have liked to have seen it happen, so that his $13M could have gone toward the $20M+ it may have taken to get Tex, if that were even possible to begin with. In retrospect, it appears that Hendry did, in fact, approach other teams about Lee and couldn’t find a taker, and that Lee wouldn’t have waived his no-trade in any case, and that Tex was probably NY bound regardless, considering how he spurned his beloved O’s to go to the Bronx.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
i was using it as an example
not using exact statements
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Wait, wait -- I got it. We've all missed the point to the entire post. Look at the title again.
TWSS
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 21, 2009 2:49 PM CDT reply actions
Well played sir
I can believe it took this long…
Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.
Well done
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
And that's NOT debatable
BRAVO!!
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Wow. It never even occurred to me I was setting that one up this morning!
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
So we can't debate about debating over debating?
Some folks just can’t handle meta, I guess.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Reminds me of a Dilbert
Pointy-haired states, “This is a pre-planning meeting before the project kick-off meeting…”
“…to decide on a project name.”
Dogbert responds, “How about death-spiral?”
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
THATS DEBATABLE
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
The Principal Principle
Mine and many others have always said “It only takes one to ruin it for everyone else”. It’s unfortunate, but a minority’s out-of-line behavior has lead to a group privilege being taken away.
So maybe the best solution for the Game Threads is to just get rid of them permanently.
So punish everyone for the sins of a few?
Seems a bit extreme.
I’ve stayed away from them this year for the most part, but it’s been because I’ve been doing other things. Although, even with nothing going on, I stay away when the Cubs are losing because of the negativity — but that doesn’t mean that I think they should be eliminated.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 24, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
The idea is to change the offenders' behavior by shaming them
Remember when you used to screw around on the bus to the field trip, and then the next one got cancelled? The other kids would get on you so bad that you never messed around again.
We would do well to take a lesson from our Japanese brethren and practice a culture of humiliation and ostracism to insure civility.
I disagree
This isn’t grade school. If a few people like to interact with each other during games, they should be able to.
Just wondering – have you ever been to Japan?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 26, 2009 7:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I think most posters here aren't that far removed from grade school...........
thus the childish attitude towards debate
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
That's a pretty broad brush you paint with
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 28, 2009 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess the original answer
to the OP’s question now can be given.
It’s “no.”
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 10:56 PM CDT reply actions
I said there would be good days and bad days...
The last four games have been the “bad” part, but the good it yet to come. Have faith brother. They’ll get it worked out and the ship straightened…
(…unless this year’s version of the Cubs are like the 2007 version of the Detroit Tigers. Lordy, I hope not…)
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
HUGE fan since '69, so we're clear--
don’t post here much, but I gotta say—if you’re watching a baseball game and feel a need to be posting at the same time, you’re a little out there in your fandom.
Really.
I post at a football site, and I’m a big fan-but I didn’t spend the last month analyzing draft scenarios, and didn’t go all crazy yesterday!
So, my point is, not that it’s a bad thing to do-But that by it’s very nature, you are opening yourself up to a certain kind of crazed Fan who will be there, tortured over every pitch.
So, just ignore it! You eventually learn who those posters are, I assume, so just don’t read their posts……
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