Why I don't root for the players...

[Bone Chips]

My 1st post. I'm in Baltimore this weekend watching all 3 games with my 8 year old son. I spent a lot of money getting front row seats, thinking that this would be a once in a lifetime experience. I love the comraderie amongst the fans. This truly is a nation - no doubt about it. But guess what? The players are NOT part of the nation. They shag batting practice balls completely ignoring the fans. They absolutely can't be bothered. In the 4 hours of BP the last 2 games the only players to sign autographs were Paps, Ramirez, and Saito. I understand full well they have a job to do. But guess what? That job doesn't include being ambassadors to The Nation. They've become spoiled brats and quite frankly I could care less about them at this point. I root for the laundry. The Nation is all about the fans - not the players.

[Looch Ness Monster]

My 1st post. I'm in Baltimore this weekend watching all 3 games with my 8 year old son. I spent a lot of money getting front row seats' date=' thinking that this would be a once in a lifetime experience. I love the comraderie amongst the fans. This truly is a nation - no doubt about it. But guess what? The players are NOT part of the nation. They shag batting practice balls completely ignoring the fans. They absolutely can't be bothered. In the 4 hours of BP the last 2 games the only players to sign autographs were Paps, Ramirez, and Saito. I understand full well they have a job to do. But guess what? That job doesn't include being ambassadors to The Nation. They've become spoiled brats and quite frankly I could care less about them at this point. I root for the laundry. The Nation is all about the fans - not the players.[/quote']

 

The Nation is a fictitious marketing scheme created by the Red Sox to make money. And it isn't in their job description to sign autographs, all they have to do is play baseball. If I were a player I would be weary of signing autographs period because A) people just sell them on ebay and sometimes autograph seekers will come at you with like 10 things..

[TheKilo]

The players don't owe you s***, quit crying about it.

[Bone Chips]

"Not in the job description"... That's just classic. Why do we hold our athletes - who we pay millions of dollars to - to such a low standard? They would rather stand alone in the outfield doing nothing than interacting with the customers that pay their salaries.

[Dipre]

"Not in the job description"... That's just classic. Why do we hold our athletes - who we pay millions of dollars to - to such a low standard? They would rather stand alone in the outfield doing nothing than interacting with the customers that pay their salaries.

 

Because they sacrifice their personal life to play the game of baseball.

[TheKilo]

How much have you paid these guys personally?

[Looch Ness Monster]

"Not in the job description"... That's just classic. Why do we hold our athletes - who we pay millions of dollars to - to such a low standard? They would rather stand alone in the outfield doing nothing than interacting with the customers that pay their salaries.

 

We don't pay millions of dollars to anybody. I don't know about you but my family is struggling to pay the bills. Sure as hell am not paying millions to anybody.

 

If you're gonna play that card then you were technically paying the Baltimore Orioles players salaries since you bought tickets for a game at Camden Yards, so go over and get Nick Markakis' autograph or Adam Jones' autograph.

[TheKilo]

We don't pay millions of dollars to anybody. I don't know about you but my family is struggling to pay the bills. Sure as hell am not paying millions to anybody.

 

If you're gonna play that card then you were technically paying the Baltimore Orioles players salaries since you bought tickets for a game at Camden Yards, so go over and get Nick Markakis' autograph or Adam Jones' autograph.

 

Well done

[Bone Chips]

No - it's gotten bad, guys. There were 4 young kids in the front row of the left field bleachers during BP - just trying to get papelbon or Lester to turn around and waive to them. Clearly not selling autographs on ebay. Just cute kids trying to get their heroes to acknowledge them. These guys are completely disconnected from the public that pays their salaries. It's sad really.

[TheKilo]

Dude, they're trying to do their job.

[BoSox21]

No - it's gotten bad' date=' guys. There were 4 young kids in the front row of the left field bleachers during BP - just trying to get papelbon or Lester to turn around and waive to them. Clearly not selling autographs on ebay. Just cute kids trying to get their heroes to acknowledge them. These guys are completely disconnected from the public that pays their salaries. It's sad really.[/quote']

 

come to my office on Monday and yell my name at the top of your lungs while I'm working and you'll be lucky I don't chuck a stapler at you let alone turn around and wave

 

the only right you have as a paying customer is to watch the players play baseball

[Bone Chips]

come to my office on Monday and yell my name at the top of your lungs while I'm working and you'll be lucky I don't chuck a stapler at you let alone turn around and wave

 

the only right you have as a paying customer is to watch the players play baseball

 

difference #1 - you aren't making millions of dollars for playing a game.

 

Difference #2 - nobody is driving 400 miles to see you at work using your magic stapler...

 

And just to clear things up - yes, technically the fans do pay the players' salaries - indirectly of course but we do pay it. Better off watching the games on tv and saving yourself a lot of money.

[ORS]

Please do stay home and tune in. That way, I won't run into your whiney ass the next time I go to the ball park.

[Bone Chips]

Please do stay home and tune in. That way' date=' I won't run into your whiney ass the next time I go to the ball park.[/quote']

 

You got my seat, dude. No need to bring a pen. Just make sure you bring a jar of Vaseline. But you sound like the type who doesn't like using lube.

[Spudboy]

Ahhhhhh..... The fellowship among Talksox members brings tears to my eyes.

 

Vaseline?

[TedWilliams101]

I agree with bonechips in that the players should try to honor the fans. Now, there are definitely lines. Batting Practice isn't exactly the greatest time to ask players for autographs, but I can understand why people get upset. Athletes SHOULD try to thank the fans for their support, they don't have a job without their fans.

 

Please, don't give me the "Oh, they have to sacrifice their lives... blah blah". Most people would kill to have the lifestyle they live. Heck, most people would kill for FREE media spotlight, let alone getting paid handsomely. Go up to any good musician and they will tell you that the hardest part of their career (other than maybe actually writing) is gigging, not a lack of a personal life. All the travel and being away from home is stressful/tiring. Athletes often have it WAY easier for travel. Do you honestly think it's stressful to travel around the US in 1st class everything, on every "list" to any relevant party/etc, playing a game? Really? Come on.

[Looch Ness Monster]

I agree with bonechips in that the players should try to honor the fans. Now' date=' there are definitely lines. Batting Practice isn't exactly the greatest time to ask players for autographs, but I can understand why people get upset. Athletes SHOULD try to thank the fans for their support, they don't have a job without their fans.[/quote']

 

If you want an autograph that badly stay until the end of the game and badger the players as they're going home to see their family.

 

[TedWilliams101]

If you want an autograph that badly stay until the end of the game and badger the players as they're going home to see their family.

 

I know, because signing a few autographs would make them hours late... I'm not saying that players should sign everything from everyone all the time. A couple of autographs or even a "hi" every now and then is plenty. Most fans who wait for the players after the game realize they probably won't get an autograph, often they just want to see the players and say something.

[Dipre]

I agree with bonechips in that the players should try to honor the fans. Now, there are definitely lines. Batting Practice isn't exactly the greatest time to ask players for autographs, but I can understand why people get upset. Athletes SHOULD try to thank the fans for their support, they don't have a job without their fans.

 

Please, don't give me the "Oh, they have to sacrifice their lives... blah blah". Most people would kill to have the lifestyle they live. Heck, most people would kill for FREE media spotlight, let alone getting paid handsomely. Go up to any good musician and they will tell you that the hardest part of their career (other than maybe actually writing) is gigging, not a lack of a personal life. All the travel and being away from home is stressful/tiring. Athletes often have it WAY easier for travel. Do you honestly think it's stressful to travel around the US in 1st class everything, on every "list" to any relevant party/etc, playing a game? Really? Come on.

 

Yeah because they don't get tired of fans harassing them every single day, the lack of privacy, the constant travelling, not being able to do a bunch of stuf, etc etc etc.

 

You might kill for that lifestyle.

 

I sure as f*** wouldn't.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Hey, Mike Hampton's Elbow, I would respectfully suggest that you aren't doing much to make an ingratiating appearance on TalkSox.

 

Perhaps you should try to diffuse the admittedly rude responses instead of fueling them.

 

All of us understand where you're coming from, some of us just don't agree completely.

[Ellsy]

Ahhhhhh..... The fellowship among Talksox members brings tears to my eyes.

 

Seriously. Lovin' the respect around here...

 

It's one thing to disagree with the guy, it's another to jump on him and cut his throat.

[example1]

I think it is important that fans get some respect and, yes, some autographs from Red Sox players. Personally, I'd be shocked if Papelbon and Lester didn't sign hundreds, maybe thousands of balls every year.

 

Seeing a few kids not get what they dreamed for is unfortunate, but I don't think it represents the intention of Lester or Papelbon as people.

 

Hell, this was a big series for this team and a serious and stressful time for their season--on a tough roadtrip, after some hard losses, behind in the standings, trade deadline day, etc.,. As a sox fan I'm just glad the deadline has passed and they're back to within .5 games. That's how I would spin it to any kid who feels entitled to an autograph. Try going to spring training with some new baseballs or just trying at a lot more games, you'll get autographs.

 

Welcome to the site though.

[ORS]

You got my seat' date=' dude. No need to bring a pen. Just make sure you bring a jar of Vaseline. But you sound like the type who doesn't like using lube.[/quote']

Stop fantasizing.

 

Don't worry about the pen, I've never brought one. There are few things I could care less about than getting someone's signature, and those that care about it are foolish to me. Quit bothering the f***ing players about something so worthless, and maybe they'd be more inclined to turn around and wave at the kids.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Thread fails, OP is an idiot.

 

 

 

That is all.

[yeszir]

Well, this thread has run its course.

[Cocos Disciples]

Just one thing to add. I'm a pretty big autograph collector myself. I go 2 hours early to games, go to all the events and sometimes wait near the parking lot for players. But I never get offended or angry when players don't sign. They have a job to do and I'd rather they prepare sufficiently for games and then sign if they have time. It's silly to think players have an obligation to the fans, and it makes me sick when the same people who just asked a player for an autograph are hurling insults when the player says he can't.

 

By the way, the Sox are one of the hardest teams to get autographs from, so Paps, Saito and RR is a nice haul.