The Victory and The Apathy...

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  • Stumpage
    SBR MVP
    • 09-21-05
    • 2906

    #1
    The Victory and The Apathy...
    Wondering if anybody else had a similar experience with a sports team that they follow religiously.....On October 27th, 2004, after a nightmarish series of near misses and collapses, the Boston Red Sox finally won the World Series, setting off a celebration on a biblical scale for myself and those around me. Believe me, it had been a long time coming.

    Anyway, since that event, I have found that I don't follow the team even remotely as near as I once did. Their exit from the playoffs last year at the hands of the ChiSox was definitely disappointing, but it was disappointment that lasted but a few moments.

    Perhaps it was the near misses ('78 and Bucky Dent, the '86 meltdown, Pedro pitching into the 8th in '03) and other less well-known setbacks, or the fact that I didn't want to go to my grave without them having won in my lifetime, but after the championship it was like a huge burden was lifted and now apathy has set in.

    Regardless, is there a "die-hard" fan of any team out there who experienced a similar scenario after their team, perhaps long-suffering, won the big one? I live in Mapleleaf country, and I always wonder if the post-Stanley Cup fan base would feel the same way, seeing that they are insanely passionate about their hockey team and are going on a second generation of fans whove been in existence since the last Cup victory in '67.

    Anyway, that's all. Please chime in if this situation is a familiar one.
  • Willie Bee
    SBR Posting Legend
    • 02-14-06
    • 15726

    #2
    Sorry, Stumpage. I can't offer anything along those lines since I root for the Astros, Aggies and, years ago, the Oilers. None of them have won 'the big one' aside from the AFL Titles the Oilers won way back when I was knee high to a grasshopper.

    But I can see how some Red Sox fans would have a let-down after 2004 following so many years of frustration, disappointment and heartache. Probably best to get some input from White Sox fans since they were in somewhat similar shape before last season.
    Comment
    • Stumpage
      SBR MVP
      • 09-21-05
      • 2906

      #3
      Good point Bee...Ranger fans as well, I imagine, as they went some 50+ years between Stanley Cups before 1994. Just not sure if there were many near-misses along the way.
      Comment
      • Mudcat
        Restricted User
        • 07-21-05
        • 9287

        #4
        It doesn't come close to matching he scale of what happened with the Sox, and there are undoubtedly a few different factors in the mix, but the Blue Jays experienced a similar effect.

        They started getting competetive in the early 80's, and the fans started coming out to the ballpark. They finally made the playoffs for the first time in '85, managed to lose after being up 3-1 in the ALCS, had a spectacular late season collapse to miss the playoffs in '87, had a few more regular season and playoff disappointments.

        They were getting a reputation as either or choke team or snake-bitten team depending whom you asked.

        All the while they were setting MLB attendance records and drawing 4 million plus per season.

        Then they won it all in '92 (and again in '93).

        The interest has never been the same. That goes for me personally and my friends and, judging by the attendance, a lot of other people. They used to be like the Yankees in the way they would just go buy whatever player they needed. Now, mainly because of the reduced interest, the're a middle-market team.
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        • crackerjack
          SBR MVP
          • 08-01-06
          • 3366

          #5
          My problem, while related, is a distant cousin. I haven't been able to become a "devoted" fan of any one team since I started sports betting (and to a smaller degree playing fantasy football). I have no loyalties and could take either side of any game. It has somewhat diminished my enjoyment as a "fan". I love football but if there is nothing on the line, even if my "favorite" teams are playing, I have little interest in watching. I'd rather spend time with family, read a book, lift weights, shoot hoops, go to dinner, play board games, etc.
          Comment
          • Bulldog
            SBR Wise Guy
            • 06-22-06
            • 839

            #6
            Interesting subject.
            I dont know if it relates totally to what you mention Stump but for me it happened after the (correct me if Im wrong) 94 NBA playoffs. I loved the show the Denver Nuggets put on, being the first # 8 seed to beat a #1 (Seattle). They lost to Utah after that in 7 which was another hell of a series. I loved that team with Mutombo, Abdul Rauf, Laphonso Ellis, etc.
            I just never cared much about basketball after that. Still consider myself a "nuggets" fan but I just dont give a damn to be honest.
            Comment
            • bigboydan
              SBR Aristocracy
              • 08-10-05
              • 55420

              #7
              i don't see the die hard fan of any team really, but what about the cubs fans.

              even though they won in 1908 there bad luck is unheard of really. the leon durham botch job in 1984, and of course how can anyone ever forget the bartman mess of 2003.

              on a side note though....

              there bad luck started long before they ever won a championship really. starting in 1906 when they lost the world series because "wildfire" shultz dropped a ball in those so called stands thanks a fan interference. some call it "the original bartman blunder"
              Comment
              • Willie Bee
                SBR Posting Legend
                • 02-14-06
                • 15726

                #8
                Interesting comment, crackerjack, about how fantasy sports might dull or temper a fan's rooting interest. So far, that hasn't affected me much at all. I can watch an Astros game knowing that a good performance by so-&-so is going to set me back on the fantasy front, and never give a damn. I have been at games where my team was up by a lot or down by a lot, and started to root for one of my fantasy players to go deep or something along those lines.

                But reality takes precedence over unreality in my mind and heart while a game is in progress. And whether I had a winning or losing bet, that also doesn't affect me much other than wanting to learn where I went wrong or went right in making the wager.
                Comment
                • Bulldog
                  SBR Wise Guy
                  • 06-22-06
                  • 839

                  #9
                  Originally posted by crackerjack
                  My problem, while related, is a distant cousin. I haven't been able to become a "devoted" fan of any one team since I started sports betting (and to a smaller degree playing fantasy football). I have no loyalties and could take either side of any game. It has somewhat diminished my enjoyment as a "fan". I love football but if there is nothing on the line, even if my "favorite" teams are playing, I have little interest in watching. I'd rather spend time with family, read a book, lift weights, shoot hoops, go to dinner, play board games, etc.

                  I know what you mean. Like you root for individual players (fantasy) and teams that you have $$ on. (different teams every night)
                  I have a friend who told me the exact same thing. I dont see a problem but you are probably missing out on some awesome feelings..
                  their's nothing like seeing your team score a goal or hit a walkoff homerun. Moments in which money and fantasy dont even cross your mind.
                  Being a fan is what makes sports worthwhile imo...
                  Comment
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