I hate Boston sports fans

[Big Ticket]

I don't dispute that... and I should've been more clear.  The perception is that they certainly know their Boston sports, but know very little about other teams around the country.

i.e. if you asked the typical Boston fan about Eric Gordon or Joe Mauer or Marion Barber III, they probably can't offer much insight.  (Again, not saying it's a perception I agree with, just that it is the perception in my experience)

Why is that so shocking to you? Of course as a Boston fan I know more about the third-string QB of the Patriots than I do about Marion Barber III. Of course I know more about Bill Walker than I do about Eric Gordon. I read Sports Illustrated and ESPN regularly, but I'm not going to read every newspaper in every city in every league. I stick to the Globe because I like their columnists, and -- big shock -- they write pages and pages about every player in Boston's system and don't cover more than the basics about players in other cities. But it really bothers me that other cities' fans think that this is somehow unique to Boston. I live in Wisconsin at the moment, and I can assure you that NOBODY here could have told you what Jason Bay batted upon joining the Sox, whereas they could easily tell me who was winning the backup QB battle for the Packers.

But what bothers me even more than the above is the people who turn it around and assume I know nothing about BOSTON sports just because they have a different opinion than I do. Case in point: when the Sox made the three-team deal in which they gave up Manny and got Bay, a number of my friends (2 Tigers fans, 3 Cubs fans, and 4 or 5 Brewers fans) told me the Sox got fleeced by having to give up Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss in the deal. I commented that Moss was no better than a fourth OF on a contending team, Hansen couldn't get batters out, and that I preferred to have Jason Bay (who was cheaper, a better fielder and base-runner, and actually gave a [dang]) than Manny (who clearly proved to us that he wasn't going to do anything but pout if we kept him.) I was then soundly ridiculed, being told I knew nothing about the sport. Of course, when Hansen proceeded to go 1-4 with a 7.47 ERA and Moss went .222-6-23 in Pittsburgh, I was proven right, though they chalked it up to "bad luck" for the two prospects.

So, yeah. I don't pretend I know more about other people's teams than I do about my own, but I certainly wish people gave Boston fans some credit about knowing about ours.

It's not shocking to me... I never said it was my stance, just that it is the typical stance of people outside Boston.  Sheesh... I said at least 2 or 3 times that I think the same applies to any team, not just Boston.

[shiggins]

We're united, passionate, and very, very knowledgeable. 

I can tell you, that as an outsider, the "very, very knowledgeable" part is far off of the perception of "Boston fans".  The general connotation that goes with Boston fans is that they are fair weather and don't know jack about what goes on outside of their own Boston sports universe.  Not my opinion, just the sentiment I know from most people... I think the same things can be said of almost any team's fans. 

Again, the people here are an exception... most regulars on this board are 1. Boston fans and 1a. Basketball fans. 

I understand where you're coming from, and I'm probably biased.  However, how many fans follow spring training enough to be up to date on the battle for Mark Kotsay's spot as a backup outfield and utility man.  We're talking about the 25th guy on the roster here, but many Sox fans know the names Wilkerson, Bailey, Carter, and McAnulty. 

How many basketball fans would know to give a good ovation to a Leon Powe when he's being subbed after only scoring a few points.  Most fans don't notice the 6 or 7 rebounds, and the extra hustle that he puts out on the floor. 

I think the national perception comes from the pink hats, bandwagoners, and new fans.  People over the age of 25 and who followed the teams when they were struggling through the 90's are the real fans.  They know their sports, and the rosters that they are putting out to compete.

I don't dispute that... and I should've been more clear.  The perception is that they certainly know their Boston sports, but know very little about other teams around the country.

i.e. if you asked the typical Boston fan about Eric Gordon or Joe Mauer or Marion Barber III, they probably can't offer much insight.  (Again, not saying it's a perception I agree with, just that it is the perception in my experience)

Arent you from Minnesota?  I dont think thats fair for you to be judging Boston fans from a far like that, especially when your using Joe Mauer (a twin) as comparison. 

That seems to be most of the attitude of fans of other teams across the nation.  They are looking for reasons to try and make Boston less relevant or try to prop themselves up a bit.  I am pretty sure even before the redsox won their 2004 championship, boston fans have been routinely either recieved as the #1 fans or #2 to the st louis cardinals. 

Sure i go to celtics games and hear people drop off stupid comments about how Leon Powe was great at UCLA or something.  But overall, I would say Boston fans on a whole are fairly knowledgeable about their teams and about their sports. 

With success comes bandwagoners of course, but overall its probably better than it would be in another city, just by judging what was going on prior to Boston being a power. 

By the way, I cant see why people sweat Joe Mauer so hard...as of right now, Varitek is old and pretty much should be out of the league, but if the girl was talking about careers between the 2, i dont think Mauer has had that great a career so far.  He only hits for average, is injured all the time, and hasnt developed any power.  Sounds kind of like Jason Kendall to me.


Also forgot...is the reason your so up on Marion Barber is because hes from Minnesota himself?  Seems a little hypocritical your dissing Boston fans for their knowledge outside their area when your examples are homegrown kids...

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't dispute that... and I should've been more clear.  The perception is that they certainly know their Boston sports, but know very little about other teams around the country.

i.e. if you asked the typical Boston fan about Eric Gordon or Joe Mauer or Marion Barber III, they probably can't offer much insight.  (Again, not saying it's a perception I agree with, just that it is the perception in my experience)

Why is that so shocking to you? Of course as a Boston fan I know more about the third-string QB of the Patriots than I do about Marion Barber III. Of course I know more about Bill Walker than I do about Eric Gordon. I read Sports Illustrated and ESPN regularly, but I'm not going to read every newspaper in every city in every league. I stick to the Globe because I like their columnists, and -- big shock -- they write pages and pages about every player in Boston's system and don't cover more than the basics about players in other cities. But it really bothers me that other cities' fans think that this is somehow unique to Boston. I live in Wisconsin at the moment, and I can assure you that NOBODY here could have told you what Jason Bay batted upon joining the Sox, whereas they could easily tell me who was winning the backup QB battle for the Packers.

But what bothers me even more than the above is the people who turn it around and assume I know nothing about BOSTON sports just because they have a different opinion than I do. Case in point: when the Sox made the three-team deal in which they gave up Manny and got Bay, a number of my friends (2 Tigers fans, 3 Cubs fans, and 4 or 5 Brewers fans) told me the Sox got fleeced by having to give up Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss in the deal. I commented that Moss was no better than a fourth OF on a contending team, Hansen couldn't get batters out, and that I preferred to have Jason Bay (who was cheaper, a better fielder and base-runner, and actually gave a [dang]) than Manny (who clearly proved to us that he wasn't going to do anything but pout if we kept him.) I was then soundly ridiculed, being told I knew nothing about the sport. Of course, when Hansen proceeded to go 1-4 with a 7.47 ERA and Moss went .222-6-23 in Pittsburgh, I was proven right, though they chalked it up to "bad luck" for the two prospects.

So, yeah. I don't pretend I know more about other people's teams than I do about my own, but I certainly wish people gave Boston fans some credit about knowing about ours.

It's not shocking to me... I never said it was my stance, just that it is the typical stance of people outside Boston.  Sheesh... I said at least 2 or 3 times that I think the same applies to any team, not just Boston.

Reading comprehension is not a strength in most places.

[BUTerrier]

I don't dispute that... and I should've been more clear.  The perception is that they certainly know their Boston sports, but know very little about other teams around the country.

i.e. if you asked the typical Boston fan about Eric Gordon or Joe Mauer or Marion Barber III, they probably can't offer much insight.  (Again, not saying it's a perception I agree with, just that it is the perception in my experience)

Why is that so shocking to you? Of course as a Boston fan I know more about the third-string QB of the Patriots than I do about Marion Barber III. Of course I know more about Bill Walker than I do about Eric Gordon. I read Sports Illustrated and ESPN regularly, but I'm not going to read every newspaper in every city in every league. I stick to the Globe because I like their columnists, and -- big shock -- they write pages and pages about every player in Boston's system and don't cover more than the basics about players in other cities. But it really bothers me that other cities' fans think that this is somehow unique to Boston. I live in Wisconsin at the moment, and I can assure you that NOBODY here could have told you what Jason Bay batted upon joining the Sox, whereas they could easily tell me who was winning the backup QB battle for the Packers.

But what bothers me even more than the above is the people who turn it around and assume I know nothing about BOSTON sports just because they have a different opinion than I do. Case in point: when the Sox made the three-team deal in which they gave up Manny and got Bay, a number of my friends (2 Tigers fans, 3 Cubs fans, and 4 or 5 Brewers fans) told me the Sox got fleeced by having to give up Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss in the deal. I commented that Moss was no better than a fourth OF on a contending team, Hansen couldn't get batters out, and that I preferred to have Jason Bay (who was cheaper, a better fielder and base-runner, and actually gave a [dang]) than Manny (who clearly proved to us that he wasn't going to do anything but pout if we kept him.) I was then soundly ridiculed, being told I knew nothing about the sport. Of course, when Hansen proceeded to go 1-4 with a 7.47 ERA and Moss went .222-6-23 in Pittsburgh, I was proven right, though they chalked it up to "bad luck" for the two prospects.

So, yeah. I don't pretend I know more about other people's teams than I do about my own, but I certainly wish people gave Boston fans some credit about knowing about ours.

It's not shocking to me... I never said it was my stance, just that it is the typical stance of people outside Boston.  Sheesh... I said at least 2 or 3 times that I think the same applies to any team, not just Boston.

Sorry. I should have been a little clear. I wasn't saying "you" meaning you specifically. I assumed you were saying, "If I were one of these people, this is what I'd be arguing", and I was just going along with it and directing the argument at that persona.

[wdleehi]

Every major sports town on the East coast (NY, Bos, Phil, DC and even Balt) were all the same in terms of fans. 

I am sure this is the same in other cities around the country (I don't know because these are the Cities that I have lived near)


So don't complain about a certain slice of Boston fans as if they are special only to Boston.  You will find the same type of fans elsewhere, but to a worse level (Mets fans)

[davemonsterband]

As an outsider and just a C's fan, Boston sports fans are never content with anything and it's nauseating to listen to. It seems to me that the only people that are able to sit back and appreciate the C's, verbally, are us people from out of town. Whatever, it's their culture and I'm far removed from it, just an observation. It's a nice problem (if one could call it that) to have. Take it from a Blue Jays/Lions fan.

[ma11l]

As an outsider and just a C's fan, Boston sports fans are never content with anything and it's nauseating to listen to. It seems to me that the only people that are able to sit back and appreciate the C's, verbally, are us people from out of town. Whatever, it's their culture and I'm far removed from it, just an observation. It's a nice problem (if one could call it that) to have. Take it from a Blue Jays/Lions fan.

C's, Blue Jays, and Lions.  How'd you ever come up with that combo?

[Truck Lewis]

As a diehard fan of the celts, sox, pats, BC,,,,and pretty big bruins fan....i can understand why people may hate on boston fans, but i've always believed that the "fans" that actually generate the hate are not the true fans.  

It is usually guys that get tickets to a few Sox or celts games a year and think they are supposed to get as drunk as possible (not that i dont get drunk at games) and act as obnoxious as possible,,,and scream obscenities and yankees suck for no reason at the most unnecessary times.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with getting excited and yelling at games b/c i do too, but to swear years brains out in front of kids is obnoxious.  On the other hand, the passion of boston sports fans makes them so impressive.  3 first hand experiences of my own highlight this.

1. I was reminded of this from Joe Torre's book, but it had a much greater impact in person. In 1998 when Torre came back for his first game back from prostate cancer and the fenway faithful gave him a standing ovation as he handed in his lineup card to the ump.

2. Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS...and not just b/c the fans stayed in the freezing cold until Papi hit the amazing walkoff hours after Dave Roberts amazing steal....but the more impressive moment was when Derek Lowe walked out to the bullpen an hour before the game and the 10000 or so fans at the game gave him an extremely rousing standing ovation despite his horrendoue august and september in 04.

3. All of us fans that hung in and stayed during game 3 of the 2002 eastern conference finals...that comeback was made because A. Pierce's superhuman performance and B. the crowd playing the role of 6th man

[Redz]

I am not starting a thread just to vent or be negative. There is a method to my madness. My main goal is to help prevent the Celtics from becoming the Red Sox or Patriots. Unfortunately, I may be hopeless here.

Boston used to be the city of lovable losers. It was mostly the suffering and torture that the Red Sox and Patriots put their fans through that helped define the town. Then the Pats and Sox started winning consistently. Every year that we didn't win a championship, there was whining, ****ing and moaning. Every loss was a tragedy. Forget the fact that we may have won last season or the year before. That was the past and we now demand that the present is filled with parades and champagne. Throw in the Red Sox payroll and Belichick and the teams became the new Evil Empires. 

Now it's happening with the Celtics. We couldn't just be happy with the 17th banner. Every loss comes with the same ****ing that accompanies losses to the Yankees or Colts. We are following every single game played by the Lakers and Cavs, obsessing over home court advantage. Every day there are threads hating on Kobe and LeBron. We complain about not getting Joe Smith or resigning Posey like selfish brats.

One thing I love about Celtics fans is their passion. I really believe that the fans' intensity and knowledge of the game make this town great. But I really hope that we resist becoming like the Sox or Pats in their conceited and arrogant manners.

I'm not sure how we can prevent this. For me, I always think back to winning last year. After every win and loss this season, I think back to KG's primal scream or PP's tears of joy and remember that we already won. Another banner is icing on the cake.     

I'm sorry, but one of the greatest things about being a Celtic fan growing up was the fact that they won a lot of championships.  Red Auerbach was the very picture of conceit.  We were better than everyone else and that was just the way it was, and should be.  We had to learn change that attitude for about 20 years or so, and while I'm definitely not back to that feeling of utter supremacy that went to the marrow in the extended glory years, there's at least some sense of connection to it again.

I'd love to see them build on that and recreate a sense of greatness for this franchise.  The Celts are basketball royalty.

The Pats and Red Sox winning has been great, but they both have a long way to go to before they ever reach the level of swagger that this franchise had for a 30 year period.

[Chris]

Every major sports town on the East coast (NY, Bos, Phil, DC and even Balt) were all the same in terms of fans. 

I am sure this is the same in other cities around the country (I don't know because these are the Cities that I have lived near)


So don't complain about a certain slice of Boston fans as if they are special only to Boston.  You will find the same type of fans elsewhere, but to a worse level (Mets Philly fans)

Fixed it for ya.

[Chris]

Not one Boston sports team leads their respected league in salary, and they are all filled with young players that they drafted and developed. its not like we have the obnoxious players like the Yankees, we don't go out and sign the big name players every year. I want the Celtics to be JUST like the Red Sox and The Patriots.

and Boston sports fans ARE very knowledgeable. There are 8 year old girls that know more about baseball then some season ticket holders in other cities.

Well, I had a 20+ year old girl decked out in Red Sox gear at Fenway tell me that Jason Varitek was infinitely better than Joe Mauer.  I believe their respective batting averages at the time were .217 and .370 or so (and late in the season)...

My point?  There are extreme outliers on either side, with any team. 

Yeah, and I am sure if you went to a football game in Denver, there would be crazy girls in Bronco's shirts trying to explain to you how much better Jay Cutler is than Tom Brady (in fact there is one of them sitting across the office from me).

There are dumb fans everywhere.

[wdleehi]

Every major sports town on the East coast (NY, Bos, Phil, DC and even Balt) were all the same in terms of fans. 

I am sure this is the same in other cities around the country (I don't know because these are the Cities that I have lived near)


So don't complain about a certain slice of Boston fans as if they are special only to Boston.  You will find the same type of fans elsewhere, but to a worse level (Mets Philly fans)

Fixed it for ya.

They won so they are happy now.


Still can't touch the Met/Jet combo fan. 

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

Nice thread actually... I like the discussion.

To be honest, I think most of the perceived "Boston fan mentality" is not really based on the actual fans, as mentioned many times on this thread already. Most of the malcontent yellers and screamers, if you listen long enough to their arguments, will show how stupid they really are at some point with little to no prompting. Examples include the guy in khakis and a button down shirt with sunglasses on top of his head at Fenway who's loudly on his cell talking to a buddy about a combination of work and how the Sox need a bat to replace Manny. It's the people who listen to about 10-15 minutes of WEEI and decide their opinions based on what's said, even though they don't have a clue how logically the host got there, so they can't back it up with reasons. ANY successful team has these bandwagon jumpers, but Boston's massive successes lately have really brought them out of the woodwork.

The one fan base in particular that is interesting to me in this argument though, is the Patriots. A funny thing happens when a team is nationally villified and universally hated by the rest of the league. The bunker mentality of the fan base (yes Simmons had this orginially, and I think he's right) is fascinating, in that while the rest of the league piles crap on the Pats franchise in their coverage and attitudes (rightly or wrongly), the fans will tend to unite strongly and take an "us against the world" mentality. So when a team/fan base like that experiences success, they are definitely going to let you know about it. The pre-ARod Yankees are another good example of this. It's basically a season full of "Well screw you then" from an entire region.

[CDawg834]

While I have a lot of problems with some of the Boston sports fans, I don't completely agree with this. 

I actually think the majority of Boston sports fans are pretty good.  The problem is, there is a very loud group who are insufferable, conceited, bandwagon jumpers.  These aren't the core fans, and they aren't even the "pink hats".  They are the guys who only care about the teams when they are winning, at which point they are their biggest fans.  They also tend to be the guys who call into talk radio, and go to the games with the goal of making an impression, whether it is by starting the wave by themselves, or proving to everyone around them that they know the most about Boston sports.  They are the guys who are at a random concert, and feel the need to start a "Yankees Suck" chant.  They don't really care about the team, they just want some attention for being the biggest fan.

I think the majority of Boston Sports fans are relatively level-headed, knowledgeable, and loyal.  Unfortunately, these are not the fans that often end up representing us.

One of my all time favorite moments at a Sox game was when 3 friends and I ruined some fool's attempt to start the wave.  it was game 5 of the ALCS, and Sox were down 7-0 (they came back to win, but that was irrelevant at the time).  So the Sox are down big about to get knocked out of the playoffs, and some meathead decides to draw attention to himself by starting the wave.  As soon as he gets going, we start heckling and booing him like crazy (I mean, come on, Sox are down 7 in a potential elimination game and this meathead starts the wave?!?!?!).  He counts "1-2-3!", and literally 2 other people in the whole park did the wave. We let him have it again, and he stared us down for the next 2 innings.  Combine that with the Sox comeback, and it was a great game.

[Chris]

While I have a lot of problems with some of the Boston sports fans, I don't completely agree with this. 

I actually think the majority of Boston sports fans are pretty good.  The problem is, there is a very loud group who are insufferable, conceited, bandwagon jumpers.  These aren't the core fans, and they aren't even the "pink hats".  They are the guys who only care about the teams when they are winning, at which point they are their biggest fans.  They also tend to be the guys who call into talk radio, and go to the games with the goal of making an impression, whether it is by starting the wave by themselves, or proving to everyone around them that they know the most about Boston sports.  They are the guys who are at a random concert, and feel the need to start a "Yankees Suck" chant.  They don't really care about the team, they just want some attention for being the biggest fan.

I think the majority of Boston Sports fans are relatively level-headed, knowledgeable, and loyal.  Unfortunately, these are not the fans that often end up representing us.

One of my all time favorite moments at a Sox game was when 3 friends and I ruined some fool's attempt to start the wave.  it was game 5 of the ALCS, and Sox were down 7-0 (they came back to win, but that was irrelevant at the time).  So the Sox are down big about to get knocked out of the playoffs, and some meathead decides to draw attention to himself by starting the wave.  As soon as he gets going, we start heckling and booing him like crazy (I mean, come on, Sox are down 7 in a potential elimination game and this meathead starts the wave?!?!?!).  He counts "1-2-3!", and literally 2 other people in the whole park did the wave. We let him have it again, and he stared us down for the next 2 innings.  Combine that with the Sox comeback, and it was a great game.

I HATE the wave with a fiery passion.  A couple times people have tried to start it in my section, and have litterally spent 10 minutes, completely ignoring the game, but berating the rest of the fans trying to watch the game, since they didn't want to participate. 

In baseball, at least I can understand it, since it goes so slow, sometimes you need to do things like that to stay entertained between pitches...but it has no place at basketball games.