Last Chance
After a really disappointing end to the 2011 Baseball season, I was close to saying “Screw you Boston”, throwing away all my Red Sox memorabilia and finding another team to follow. The problem was, I love baseball and would have to follow someone. But who?…what team would be so lucky to get me as their #1 fan?
Here was my criteria:
1. Had to be an AL team ( NL sucks..although the Brewers and Cubs were considered)
2. Can’t be on the West Coast- the games are on to late. But when we move to Seattle in 10 years, I will support the Mariners.
3. Has to be an American team – Sorry Toronto.
4. Yankee’s and Rays are automatically out- my hate burns too deep.
5. Preferably a team with a bit of history/tradition.
Surprisingly, the two team that I came up with were the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles. For some odd reason, I have a really old picture of myself and my dad wearing Tigers hats. I was maybe a year old? I think my Dad bought them was because he really liked Sparky Anderson..or maybe it was because there was a “D” for Dave on it? Who knows, I never asked. I do know It’s one of my favorite pictures.
As for my second choice, Baltimore. I really can’t pinpoint it- they seem like a nice team, their players stay out of trouble, Boog’s BBQ, Camden Yards and who didn’t like Cal Ripken. Plus, my Little League team was once the the Oriole’s. Silly reasons, I know..but they made the cut to the short list.
I want to follow a team that plays hard, has me on the edge of my seat on every pitch and hopefully win their fair share of games. That’s not too much to ask for is it?
Ultimately, I fought the urge to become what I loathed- a fickle sports fan. If my fandom can survive Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner and Aaron Boone- surely it can be resuscitated after a historical 2011 collapse. I guess we’ll have to see what this team is made of in 2012.
All this leads up to my question- if your favorite baseball team ceased to exist for what ever reason…who would you follow, and why?
February 4th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Unlike you, I may soon be face to face with not having a team. If the Rays cant get their stadium and attendence together, the Rays are going to leave Tampa Bay.
As much as I love football, baseball is my sport. I LOVE baseball. The long season, the summer nights, the pennant races. I like that baseball is the only sport without a clock. We play 9 innings, no matter how long it takes.
But to answer your question, if (when?) the Rays leave, baseball is dead to me. No more watching on TV, no more fantasy baseball, no more anything. I was born in St Petersburg, I live in St Petersburg, i’ll die in St Petersburg. My team plays in St Petersburg. If they leave, baseball is dead to me.
But baseball always seems better when the Twins are good. It didnt feel right in 2011 when Minnesota finished in last place.
February 4th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
You’re too much of a baseball fan to call it quits. Gun to your head.. Gotta pick a team. Is it the Twins? I know they play at a real stadium now… but a team that plays on artificial turf is another criteria for me not to follow them.
.
February 4th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Well I think i’ll start with my list of criteria.
-Has to have a payroll no higher than 85 million. I hate big market teams.
-Has to play in a stadium built before 1995. Tradition is great.
-Has to have a team without a juicer. I hate cheaters. (sorry brewers!)
-Young talent is a must. I dont want an aging team without exciting players.
So having thought about it, I think i’ll go with…. The Royals! I love the young talent and the tradition. Plus the All Star game in KC this year is always a plus. Kansas City Royals it is.
Side note: Life is always better when thefoulline.com has semi regular posts. Keep em coming Dave!
February 4th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
The Royals are a very interesting choice. My first baseball glove was a George Brett model, so I followed the Royals briefly when I was little. I remember taping the 1985 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, then waking up early the next morning before school to watch it. Brett, Saberhagen, Quisenberry, Frank White, Steve Balboni. They were a fun team to watch. I met George Brett years later at a celebrity golf tournament..total prick.
February 4th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Their gonna be an AL powerhouse within 2 years.. Their young talent is insane! They have like 5 of the top 50 prospects in baseball…
February 4th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
I’m not sold on KC ever being a contender. Their owner is a cheapskate, their attendance is always near the bottom of the league. and they have a history of dealing their up and coming players ( Beltran, Damon, Grienke, Melky) I cant really differentiate between them and the Oakland A’s. They both seem a little too content with mediocrity. And they are in a pretty touch division.
February 4th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Is their division tough? Im not sold. Detriot is overrated. Yes they made the big (literally) splash, but their infield defense will be a joke if they actually think they can play Miggy at 3rd. Max Scherezer will never figure it out, and Doug Fister wont even have close to as good as year as he did last year. And for that matter, neither will Justin Verlander… Even though they finished in last place in 2011, I could easily see the Twins winning the Central if their health returns.
February 4th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
The tigers defense may be porous at best, but their offense may put up 7 runs a game. I agree that Verlander will regress- he has to. I like Scherzer and Fister as solid SP options. The Twins are always solid, but I like the Tigers in that division.
February 4th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
What’s your opinion on the 2nd wild card? My hope is that they choose to add it for 2012. I think it will be great for baseball. Yea the 2011 Wild Card race was insane, but that doesnt happen every single season.
February 4th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I’m on the fence about another playoff team. Im not a huge fan of teams switching leagues, or changing names or any other adjustments MLB decides to do. I do think it’s good for baseball, so it has my support.
February 4th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
I think if they did it correctly, it would work. It will end up being a one game playoff, but that’s dumb. Shorten the season back to 154 games, and make it a best of 3 series. It would give winning the division a bigger advantage, which is the goal anyway. If baseball is going to continue to be the only major sport that grossly favors the big market teams, then they have to add more playoff teams.
February 4th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
I think you nailed it there. 154 game season, 3 game playoff. I am not a fan of the 1 and done Wild Card spot
February 5th, 2012 at 7:19 am
If the braves were gone I’d prolly go with the cardinals. Great city and great fans
February 5th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
I’d break the before mentioned rules of NL teams and go Braves. Former Boston Braves, Tom Glavine grew up in Billerica, and they play the Marlins every other day in Miami. Plus Smoltz is a scratch handicap golfer. Maybe I just want to cheer on the early 90’s Braves. That’s it, I’d give up on Baseball and watch the Braves and Pirates play in the NL championship in 1991 on ESPN classic.
February 5th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
I love how Dave says he’ll move to Seattle in 10 years and support the M’s, but when he moved here he instantly hated the Rays lol.
February 5th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Dylan my man! It’s great to see you comment. I am currently working on a time machine to help facilitate your desire to watch the 90’s Braves. If it helps, I’m pretty sure Steve Avery works at the Budget Inn you could probably go hang out with him?? As for the Rays, Dan- I can’t ever get behind a team in the same division as the Sox… and Devil Rays is a ridiculous name, with ridiculous uniforms. Sorry buddy
February 5th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Hey at least we have sting rays here. Who wears Red Socks? I dont know about you guys, but I wear either white or black socks. The only person i’ve ever seen wear red socks is ronald mcdonald.
February 5th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
I am going to dye ALL of my sox red , and wear them every day! So, why didn’t they call them the Stingrays? I totally would have supported them
February 5th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
A sting ray is one type of Ray. There are about 200 types of Devil Rays. But then again, the team was named after a Manta Ray, which is totally different from a Devil Ray. Im honestly not sure what they were thinking. But a Devil Ray is a real type of Ray.
February 5th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Does the Tampa area have a high amount of dudes named ray? Steve Avery served me a donut last week, sure of it.
February 5th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Ah Steve Avery, the Scott Kazmir of the early 90s.
February 6th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
leave my braves alone! lol
February 6th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Will you be rejoining the league this year Dylan?
February 8th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Well its offcial. Im in my first league of the new season. We draft tomorrow at 5:30. Is it too early? Of course… But I need a baseball fix.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
As a Cubs fan, either the Twins or the Padres. I live in San Diego right now, so Padres would be pretty easy to convert to. They suck and their fan base is fickle at best, but Petco has to be one of the most enjoyable places to watch a game. Fenway and Wrigley have history and tradition, but both places are shitholes, especially Wrigley. Petco has Stone Brewing Co. on tap, Fillipi’s pizza, and the seats are cheap. $100 to shit two rows behind the dugout. Add to the fact that there is no such thing as bad weather in San Diego, going to the park is always a lot of fun. And honestly, the park itself, and the view around the park, is pretty gorgeous.
The Twins, mostly because I already root for them in the AL because of family ties and what not.
Also, whatever team Lincecum plays for I will always like, because he is the fucking balls.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Uh yea, that was supposed to be $100 to sit two rows behind the dugout, not shit. Although, that would be pretty awesome as well.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Thanks for commenting Sean! I really enjoyed hearing about your experience at Petco. San Diego from what I hear is a great city, but can not really support a baseball team. Although, as a Sox fan I want to thank you for Adrian Gonzalez. I think he’s going to be huge in 2012.
February 8th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
lol…nice comeback dave
February 8th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
you stayed mature about the situation and slid the crack in nicely I must say lol
February 8th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
btw way sean try to cut down on the swearing on this site because dave kids visit the site as well. figured I’d throw that in for you dave…
February 9th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Your gonna need to give us a synopsis of how your draft goes Dan. It’s so early- but any draft is a good draft. Have fun.
Thanks for taking care of business Allan, it’s all good. A little swearing here and there is ok. My kids won’t be checking out the site. I do appreciate it though.
February 9th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
I think the problem with the San Diego fan base is that the weather is just so awesome. Honestly, it is hard to stay upset at anything sports related when the city itself is just so awesome.
February 9th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Well the weather here in Tampa Bay is outstanding too, and nobody goes to games. You may be on to something here Sean….
February 9th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
My team is this league I drafted today is so sick. I can already see the jealously written all over Dave’s face. “why oh why cant i draft as good as Dan”? That’s what he’s saying to himself right now.
February 9th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
A friend of mine just moved to San Diego and he echoes everything you say Sean. His only complaint is that it’s really expensive to live their?
February 9th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Couple of quick questions Danny boy.
1. How many people were actually participating in the draft?
2. What is the format? H2h, 5×5
3 what pick did you have?
4. How many teams?
5. Was this a reall draft or a mock?
6. Are you really delusional enough to think that I can’t draft as good as you? Lol!
7. Why does Joe Maddon wear those stupid glasses?
8. What’s the square root of 765?
9 . Are you going to show us your roster?
Thanks
February 9th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
1) 10 team league, Allan is in it as well.
2) H2H, 5×5
3) 10, the last pick
4) Again, 10 teams
5) This is a 100% real league
6) yes, of course. Im the draft master
7) Because it helps unlock his powers as the best manager in baseball
8)27.65, which rounds up to 27.66
9) I may show you bits and pieces, but a real master never reveals his sleepers. Lets just say I have Votto and Granderson, and already have a trade in place to aquire Matt Kemp.
February 9th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
yea dave it was a pretty good draft n there were a lot of ppl there. dans team is ok, but mine is nasty lol. only problem I had was too many pitchers in the 1st round. first 4 picks 3 pitchers… no way that happens in the foulline league…lol
February 9th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
My interest has been piqued. I really enjoy fantasy baseball!
February 9th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
To me these guys covet pitching a little too much and are willing to pass on great bats for an above average pitcher like daniel hudson or cj wilson
February 9th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Allan picked RIGHT in front of me, so this guy got alot of the players I wanted.
February 9th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
I like cc sabathia but anybody willing to deal kemp for sabathia at this moment is crazy to me lol
February 9th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Allan, we had a few pitchers go in the first round last year. They do score the most points in the league.
February 9th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Kemp for CC straight up?
February 9th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
I just think the 1st 3 out of 4 picks should be pitchers. halladay and felix went 10 and 11 last season in our league
February 9th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
yes.
February 9th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
cc’s a great player but he tends to go on his slumps
February 9th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
So heres the story. The draft started at 5:30, but my CPU was occupied at the moment. I had the 10th pick, so i got back to back. My picks would have been Joey Votto and Matt Kemp. But the DAMN autodraft picks Votto and Sabathia. The guy a few picks behind me loves pitching and said he would have taken Sabathia. So we say to each other, lets swap Kemp for Sabathia, and we both get what we want.
One of the easiest trades ever. Both of us are really happy with the deal and both got who we want. Its what trading is all about!
February 9th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
I could care less lol. I’m just saying its a little off to me
February 9th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
dan this guy offered me cole hamels for jose reyes and josh hamilton lmao
February 9th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Kemp for CC is ridiculous. You crushed this guy Dan. Am I allowed to object ?
February 9th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
I’m surprised Kemp didn’t go in the first round.
February 9th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Hey he offered it to me. He LOVES CC. I love Kemp. Am I crushing him? Yea. But if not for my damn CPU issue I woulda had Kemp anyway. They say god gives mulligins to great people! So welcome to Rays Those Cowbells Kemp lol
February 9th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
I thought joining a league THIS early would be ridiculous, but I was wrong. Its really got me warmed up for the season, and all this trade talk will make the wait for my real draft, thefoulline of course, alot easier.
Dave I strongly suggest you join a “February League”. It really scratches that baseball itch you just cant get rid of once the super bowl ends but before spring training starts.
February 9th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
I’ve tried it Dan. My problem is I can’t focus on two teams. I’m so invested in our league because the competition is so good, it would feel like I was cheating on thefoulline. This just gives me more draft prep time. Keep me in the loop on your trades. It’s always fun to discuss deals. Good luck!
February 9th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
I feel that way too, the trick that I do is once thefoulline league starts, I only check the other league on monday to check my lineup, and devote my full attention to thefoulline league. lol
February 9th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Allan are you getting more ridiculous offers from this guy? He now wants Votto and Cain for Hamels. I swear he thinks Hamels is Sandy Koufax or something.
February 9th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
It does double your chances at a championship.
February 9th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Not likely. This is my only chance to win a championship. Why even pretend anyone will beat “her” anymore.
February 9th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Yea Guy is crazy. Once the real league starts I’m out lol
February 10th, 2012 at 12:03 am
Like a ghost lol
February 10th, 2012 at 9:37 am
Definitely is expensive to live here in SD, just like any other big city. I live a little out in the burbs though, about a mile from Qualcomm.
February 10th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Ah Qualcomm Stadium…. Trivia, what NFL Franchise won their first, and only, Super Bowl in Qualcomm Stadium?
February 10th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
So i have come to the conclusion that this guy in our league is a trade junkie. Its like cocaine to him. The league has been active for 18 hours, and this guy has sent me, Dave im not making this number up, SEVENTEEN trade offers. I already accepted 2 deals from him, now he keeps wanting to give me Matt Holliday. This guy is insane.
February 10th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Is this trade junkie named Dan Mckewen by any chance?
February 10th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
No sir.
I’ve traded for Matt Kemp, Cole Hamels, Tim Hudson and Matt Holliday. All in 18 hours.
February 10th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Who’d you give up?
February 10th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Matt Cain and Martin Prado for Cole Hamels.
Sabathia for Kemp.
Francisco Liriano for Tim Hudson.
Jason Heyward and Ryan Dempster for Matt Holliday.
February 10th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
this won’t happen in the foulline league lmao
February 10th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Its not my fault im a master negotiator guys. Its just something your born with. Im sure Dave understands.
February 10th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
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