So what do you think of bandwagon jumpers?

[Mudcat]

I'm thinking of jumping on a couple of bandwagons and being a fan.

One is the Blue Jays. This is actually more of a re-wagon since I was a huge fan from 1980 up until the mid 90's. I've been watching bits of their games in the last few days and even trying my hand at some tentative root-root-rooting. They are doing great. I have very serious doubts that it will last but that's okay; if they come back to earth it is a very simple matter to un-wagon.

The other is the Vancouver Canucks. I'd like to see a Cup being celebrated in Canadian streets. Their goalie may be a very important cog for Team Canada in the upcoming Olympics - which will be HUGE in this household - so I am behind him 100%.


So that's what I'm thinking. What do you think about the bandwagon jump? Okay in today's socio-political climate? Bad form?




disclaimer - all bandwagon-related emotion may be temporarily revoked subject to extremely favorable lines being offered on the opposition. If bandwagon jumping causes hives or swelling of the feet, consult your doctor.

[Chi_archie]

anytime a canadian wants to start supporting baseball in any form I think that is quite alright....

[slacker00]

Bandwagon jumping is an art form. At the very least, a bandwagon jumper should familiarize themselves with the roster, team history & culture, etc. Then there's the commitment of time. It's bad taste to jump on and off bandwagons endlessly. Probably one bandwagon jump per season can be considered tasteful, even then you are a provisional fan during the initial probationary season. One misstep, such as mispronouncing a starting player's name, and it's on to poseur prison of being asked to STFU & sit at the end of the bar. If one can stick with a bandwagon team through an entire season without making a mistake, one becomes a bandwagon fan in good standing.

[element1286]

They are a necessary evil for every sports team.

[Willie Bee]

I would think gamblers would have a high percentage of bandwagoneers. Only bandwagon fans I really like to give a hard time to are those that wear their Texas Longhorns or Dallas Cowboys gear only when those teams are doing well. There are about a million of each here in Texas alone, and very fun to annoy.

[smarmy]

As a Tampa Bay DEVIL Ray fan and a Patriot fan from the Scott Zolak days I can honestly say that I HATE bandwagoners. They are bastards.

[fiveteamer]

I snuck in to the Sky Dome 140+ times to watch the Jays between 95 and 96 when Jacob Brumfield was playing CF.

[daggerkobe]

Despise wagoners..... Worse than terrorists.

[fiveteamer]

One of the better games I watched was a Seattle vs. Toronto game. I had a little mad crush on Griffey Jr. so I would make sure to always go to Seattle games and sit in CF and basically stare at him.

This game was Roger vs. Randy, and if I remember correctly, Jose Cruz Jr. and Griffey both hit grand slam, both pitchers got rouged up. A girl sitting 3 rows in front of us got hit with the Ken Griffey blast.

CAN ANYBODY FIND THIS BOX SCORE???

[smitch124]

There is a game where Clemens started against Seattle and Griffey hit 3 home runs, don't see any that were Clemens vs. Johnson though.

[fiveteamer]

Maybe that was it?

Did Jose Cruz Jr hit a grand slam?

[smitch124]

No, but Delgado did.

[Mudcat]

anytime a canadian wants to start supporting baseball in any form I think that is quite alright....

Things have changed a lot since the days the Blue Jays held the major league attendance record. I remember going to Expos games too where the place was jam-packed in the late season. But much has changed with baseball in Canada.

If the Jays - MY Jays - can have any kind of decent performance this year, it could take the city by storm. I wouldn't expect them to draw 4 million again, but there could be big strides. It is startling how crappy the sports situation is for Toronto fans right now and how little there is to cheer for. I have many friends who fall into the category and I feel bad for them.

I would put forward the case that, concerning the Blue Jays at least, not only should bandwagon jumpers be tolerated, our hideous bastard nature and appearance should be set aside and we should be welcomed with open arms.

[Mudcat]

Bandwagon jumping is an art form. At the very least, a bandwagon jumper should familiarize themselves with the roster, team history & culture, etc. Then there's the commitment of time. It's bad taste to jump on and off bandwagons endlessly. Probably one bandwagon jump per season can be considered tasteful, even then you are a provisional fan during the initial probationary season. One misstep, such as mispronouncing a starting player's name, and it's on to poseur prison of being asked to STFU & sit at the end of the bar. If one can stick with a bandwagon team through an entire season without making a mistake, one becomes a bandwagon fan in good standing.

Hmmm. A thoughtful intelligent post. It leads me to believe I am not a good bandwagon candidate. I just want everything my way even if it means jumping on and off the wagon 3 times a week. I really don't see myself lifting a finger towards learning the roster and whatnot. I just want to glom off the thrill of any victories.

Again we return to the concept of me being a hideous bastard.

[fiveteamer]

Toronto is a terrible sports town and full of bandwagoners. What else is new. It's not even a good hockey town.

[smitch124]

Here's the boxscore, maybe it will jog some memories:

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B04250TOR1997.htm

[fiveteamer]

That must have been the game because it was a Friday night, that I do remember.

unreal.

[Boner_18]

I've never really had a problem w/ bandwagon jumpers. Anyone that takes sports sooo seriously that they reject the involvement of some new faces simply because those people haven't been there as long as them or through the "tough times" has missed the meaning of sports and entertainment in general.

So hop on! We'll be glad to have you!

[Casperwaits]

I've never really had a problem w/ bandwagon jumpers. Anyone that takes sports sooo seriously that they reject the involvement of some new faces simply because those people haven't been there as long as them or through the "tough times" has missed the meaning of sports and entertainment in general.

So hop on! We'll be glad to have you!

Coming from a true Yankee fan

[Boner_18]

Coming from a true Yankee fan

LOL, this is true. And I grew up in MA (though closer to NYC than Boston). My parents were from LI, so I grew up cheering for the Yankees... But yes Yankees, and most recently the Sox, are used to the bandwagon jumpers.

[Mudcat]

No one wants to talk about my Canucks?

Actually there is a logistical problem there. I have recently re-arranged my sleeping times so instead of going to bed at 2-3 a.m., I am going to bed at about midnight (EST). I would not be up for the critical late action on their home games.

A real fan - even a sincere bandwagoner - would adjust, but I feel very comfortable with just checking the final score the next morning.

Maybe I am more of a half-assed well-wisher than a bandwagon jumper.

[fiveteamer]

How are you a Canucks fan?

What is WRONG with you??????

[Mudcat]

I tried to explain how they are a bandwagon candidate in post #1 of the thread man. Celebrating cup in Canadian streets, Luongo, Olympics, yada-yada . . . ??

[betplom]

No one wants to talk about my Canucks

Mudcat I will talk about the Canucks, other than their goalie there isn't much to like about them, I see them getting pushed around should they face Anaheim or if they face Detroit they will be totally outclassed, either way I don't think they make it to the finals this year.

You should remain firmly attached to the Canucks bandwagon until they face either Anaheim or Detroit, then you should safely disembark as that will be the last stop for the Canuck bandwagon.

[Mudcat]

I don't feel you are showing enough respect to my Canucks sir. I have been with them for a long time and I don't like to see them dismissed like that.

[slacker00]

A true handicapper shouldn't be a fan of any team for more than the length of a wager. A true handicapper should be jumping bandwagons play by play as wagers are being graded and final scores are flashed across a screen. As a handicapper, my favorite team or player is whoever I have money on and I'm only happy if they COVER. Teams winning & losing is irrelevant unless I happened to be playing the moneyline.

[Mudcat]

Well I agree with all that in principle and I made some reference to it in my disclaimer. But I am subversive by nature and if that's the way handicappers are going to be - then I am driven to be just a little different!

Go Jays! Go Canucks!