Baseball

[ckd]

When I started typing this entry, I had the Giants-Padres game on in the other room.

I'm not a Giants fan.

I'm not a Padres fan.

I don't live in San Francisco, or San Diego, or even in California.

I'm watching it just because it's baseball.

This provides an excuse for explaining how I decide which team to root for in any particular MLB game.

1. Seattle Mariners (my old hometown team)
   
2. Cleveland Indians (hr_macgirl's old hometown team)
   
3. Boston Red Sox (the local gang; remember, I moved here in 1986)
   
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (for Lou Piniella; besides, they could use the help)
   
5. team that isn't the Yankees, if the Yankees are involved
   
6. whichever team has more of my favorite players who used to be on one of the top 3
   
7. whichever team will help one of the top 3 in the standings by winning
   
8. team with the best player names (you gotta root for anyone stuck with the name "Milton Bradley", for example)

In this case, the presence of Omar Vizquel and Jeff Fassero meant I was rooting for the Giants, who sadly lost.

Comments

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Not-the-Braves and Not-the-Yankees are two of my favorite teams, although #6 and #7 also come into play a fair amount.

[ckd]

I also forgot to mention not-the-Brewers, both for the Bud Selig angle and the fact that they used to be the Seattle Pilots (even if that was before I lived in Seattle, or for that matter anywhere....

Not-the-Braves was never a big deal for me, since I generally didn't care who was doing what in the NL. If they were the only out-of-market team I could see, I would probably get sick of them sooner or later.

Of course, that's why I have the Extra Innings package....

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I cheer for Not-the-Brewers, too, entirely on the Bud Selig angle. My in-laws are not at all baseball people, and they really can't see why my folks and I wouldn't want to come to a game there in Milwaukee.

The Tomahawk Chop was the last straw for me. After that, the Braves could go to hell with the Yankees for all I cared.

[veejane.livejournal.com]

> I'm watching it just because it's baseball.

I am coming to know this sensation. I was transfixed Monday night by the Astros/Braves pitchers' duel -- Clemens v. Hudson. Although I am told I am supposed to hate the Braves, I couldn't help rooting for Hudson. (a) He is amusingly skinny and small, for a pitcher; (b) he is not Roger Clemens; (c) 9 shutout innings, which is a complete game, except when your offense sucks. There was a heartstopper of a 10th inning, Astros with men on 2nd and 3rd no outs, and somehow the Braves got out of it (including a double play at the plate).

It's pretty hard to root for Tampa, though. They're pretty bad. Minnesota I can root for, but not Tampa.

[ckd]

he is not Roger Clemens

That's almost a special case of "not-the-Yankees".

It's pretty hard to root for Tampa, though. They're pretty bad.

In the 80s and early 90s, the Mariners were pretty bad themselves. There were plenty of games where the between-innings hydrofoil races on the Jumbotron were more exciting than the game. The Indians were a joke for years as well.

I'm used to bad baseball. Probably more used to it than I'd like to be.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I've been known to watch baseball-for-baseball's-sake, even knowing nothing about who's playing or anything. I've spent a lot of time over various summers with whatever Braves game happens to be on TBS on in the background while I proofread/edit/whatever. I like the game regardless of who's playing.

I do the same with football, too -- while I root for my home-town team, I'm more than happy to watch a game between two teams to which I have no connection. I just like watching a well-played matchup.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Dodgers

Whoever is playing the Yankees

Whoever is playing the Giants (unless the Giants are playing the front runner in the Division, in which case I will be grateful for the frontrunner losing. If this means the Yankees should be playing the Giants, and the Giants are leading the Dodgers I will have to be grateful for a Pinstripe victory, but I won't be happy).

BoSox.

Cubs.

I ought to be more than passingly fond of the Indians. They were my hometown team, but that was before I knew baseball. They are sentimental favorites, because my grandmother loved them so (she saw the unassisted triple-play, back in what, 1921?).

After that, I'll watch anyone, for the love of the game.

TK

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Milton Bradley is great.

I mean it. He is amazing to watch, has a wonderful attitude and is just great. The name is just icing on the cake.

TK