Do you have a favorite baseball team?

[snakespeare]

Before we start the thread, I understand that it only pertains to Americans, Japanese, Koreans, Cubans, Caribbean Islanders, Mexicans, and a few people in Holland and Italy. I apologize to all the rest, especially to those who "hate baseball". I work with French people. I can only ask that you forgive. Thanks.

Now, I was really surprised to see that there is no baseball thread here. RojoHen started one last year on opening day but there were no replies. But I see avatars with baseball logos like that Braves / USA flag avatar, or the Yankee logo with the sombrero. So let's give it a go. This is the off season. Cabin fever is in full swing. Most of the deals are done. My guys got the best FA pitcher, as well as the sport's biggest head case.

Let's talk ball.

Who is your favorite team?
Did they get anybody good in the off-season?
Did you lose anyone you want to keep?
How do you feel about the year coming up?
Are you going to any games? Taking anyone with you?
How many games do you go to each year?
Do you follow Spring Training?
How many games do you watch on a weekly basis?
Do you watch MLB channel?
Do you like minor league ball?
Will you have a jones so bad you will actually watch the Caribbean World Series?
Have you ever played baseball in little league, high school, college, or city leagues?
What do you think of softball?
Do you yell from the stands? If so, what's your favorite thing to yell?
And finally, if you are a baseball fan, are you also a niner?

 

[snakespeare]

Oh darn! Newbie error. Please forgive, and move me to sports. Sorry!

Or better yet, please delete!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Who is your favorite team?

New York Yankees

Did they get anybody good in the off-season?

Curtis Granderson, Javier Vazquez, Nick Johnson.

Did you lose anyone you want to keep?

Was sad to see Hideki Matsui go, but he's only useful as a DH because of his bad knees. Am hoping they re-sign Johnny Damon.

How do you feel about the year coming up?

Good. Optimistic.

Are you going to any games? Taking anyone with you?

Yes on the former, not sure about the latter.

How many games do you go to each year?

A couple dozen. (I live in Nebraska so I only have a few weeks to see games when I get vacation time)

Do you follow Spring Training?

Yep.

How many games do you watch on a weekly basis?

At least one a day.

Do you watch MLB channel?

Absolutely! MLB Network HD is the channel I watch most often.

Do you like minor league ball?

Well, we got the Omaha Royals here (AAA affiliate of the KC Royals) but I don't follow them that close. I probably will when they get their new park though.

Will you have a jones so bad you will actually watch the Caribbean World Series?

Possibly.

Have you ever played baseball in little league, high school, college, or city leagues?

No.

What do you think of softball?

Not much. I don't even know the difference between it and baseball.

Do you yell from the stands? If so, what's your favorite thing to yell?

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLnY3tPigPE[/yt]

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvOTBo85y08[/yt]

And finally, if you are a baseball fan, are you also a niner?

You mean DS9? Yeah.

 

[RoJoHen]

I love a good baseball game at Wrigley Field, but I am not particularly attached to the Cubs. I'll definitely cheer for them, but I'm not gonna be upset if they lose.

I just enjoy the baseball experience, and Wrigley has some of the best energy of any ballpark I've visited.

 

[Jetfire]

I like the Cleveland Indians & Washington Nationals...I have seen the Orioles play twice, thought that ballpark was ok...would love to follow it more...haven't in the past few years.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

This may seem strange for me to say, but I'm also a big Mets fan. Mets and Yankees are my two favorite teams. I don't see why this is such a big deal - it's not like they play each other all the time (interleague play is relatively rare). IMHO, a rivalry should only exist when the teams regularly play each other. Yankees/Red Sox, for example. Now THERE's a rivalry...

Of course, I am someone who has a touristy obsession with New York - so I like whatever baseball teams are from there. (If I was into football I'd be a Giants *and* Jets fan.) So I didn't have the chance to develop a lifelong attachment to a team, 'cuz I didn't grow up in New York.

Although if I had to make a choice, like on the off chance they *do* play each other (like in the 2000 World Series) I'd pick the Yankees.

 

[Sky]

Hanshin Tigers.

 

[Jetfire]

This may seem strange for me to say, but I'm also a big Mets fan. Mets and Yankees are my two favorite teams. I don't see why this is such a big deal - it's not like they play each other all the time (interleague play is relatively rare). IMHO, a rivalry should only exist when the teams regularly play each other. Yankees/Red Sox, for example. Now THERE's a rivalry...

Of course, I am someone who has a touristy obsession with New York - so I like whatever baseball teams are from there. (If I was into football I'd be a Giants *and* Jets fan.) So I didn't have the chance to develop a lifelong attachment to a team, 'cuz I didn't grow up in New York.

Although if I had to make a choice, like on the off chance they *do* play each other (like in the 2000 World Series) I'd pick the Yankees.

As an Indians fan...I am not fond of the Yankees or The Red Sox.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ You guys gave us CC Sabathia, I'm grateful for that.

 

[1001001]

 

[Kirby]

Who is your favorite team?
Colorado Rockies

Did they get anybody good in the off-season?
No. Free agents don't usually do well with the Rockies.

Did you lose anyone you want to keep?
Nope. Suck it Garret Atkins.

How do you feel about the year coming up?
Cautiously optimistic.

Are you going to any games?
Yes.

Taking anyone with you?
My wife and kids.

How many games do you go to each year?
five to ten.

Do you follow Spring Training?
Yes.

How many games do you watch on a weekly basis?
Regular season? Usually 5 or so.

Do you watch MLB channel?
MLB channel is awesome!

Do you like minor league ball?
Yes, I grew up going to Denver Bears games. Now we go down to Colorado Springs to watch the Sky Sox a few times a year.

Will you have a jones so bad you will actually watch the Caribbean World Series?
No.

Have you ever played baseball in little league, high school, college, or city leagues?
Yes.

What do you think of softball?
I think it's baseball with a bigger ball and underhand pitching. It's fine.

Do you yell from the stands?
Sometimes.

If so, what's your favorite thing to yell?
"GO *insert name of person/group of people that I want to 'go'*"
This is a strange question.

And finally, if you are a baseball fan, are you also a niner?
Yes.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

If I wasn't so obsessed with New York, I would probably be a Royals fan. Kansas City is a 3 hour drive away, but that's not too bad. And I like the K (Kauffman Stadium), it just went through a massive remodeling and is a really cool ballpark. I was there for a couple of games last year and, well, of course the Royals got their asses handed to them, but it was a good time.

I remember when I was a kid I thought it was awesome that they built a baseball park (the K) and a football stadium (Arrowhead) right next to each other. KC was really lucky they didn't get stuck with a 'cookie cutter' multipurpose piece of crap like a lot of other teams had at that time...

 

[Starbreaker]

Who is your favorite team?

Atlanta Braves, but I do like to watch Cubs games if they're on TV. I grew up watching WGN and Cubs games as well.

Did they get anybody good in the off-season?

Melky Cabrera, Troy Glaus, Eric Hinske, Billy Wagner, and Takashi Saito

Did you lose anyone you want to keep?

Javier Vazquez, but he's up for free agency next year so he could come back

How do you feel about the year coming up?

I think we're going to score lots more runs than last year, and the bullpen ought to be phenomenal.

Are you going to any games? Taking anyone with you?

I'm going to opening day for sure, then probably to see them play the Rays, Phillies, and maybe another game or two.

How many games do you go to each year?

3-4

Do you follow Spring Training?

not really

How many games do you watch on a weekly basis?

I try to watch them all, but I also like to go out and have fun. I'll usually have it on in the background while I'm doing other things

Do you watch MLB channel?

Don't have it, sadly

Do you like minor league ball?

not really

Will you have a jones so bad you will actually watch the Caribbean World Series?

Didn't know there was one.

Have you ever played baseball in little league, high school, college, or city leagues?

I played when I was 4, 5, and 6

What do you think of softball?

not a fan

Do you yell from the stands? If so, what's your favorite thing to yell?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And finally, if you are a baseball fan, are you also a niner?

Affirmative

[/QUOTE]

 

[Jetfire]

^ You guys gave us CC Sabathia, I'm grateful for that.

I know.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Javier Vazquez, but he's up for free agency next year so he could come back

I don't think so. He seemed like he was looking forward to being a Yankee.

 

[SmoothieX]

Actually, there is a 2009-10 Hot Stove League thread somewhere. But this is a good poll of who likes who.

I work with French people. I can only ask that you forgive.

I forgive you, it's not your fault. In fact I'm terribly sory for you.

Let's talk ball.

Who is your favorite team?
New York Mets (I wish they weren't)

Did they get anybody good in the off-season?
Jason Bay. Nice bat, but there are questions about his defense in the cavernous left field at Citi. Also 4 third string catchers and washed up pitchers you never heard of.

Did you lose anyone you want to keep?
Wouldn't have minded a healthy J.J. Putz in the 8th inning.

How do you feel about the year coming up?
Like sticking my head through a wood chipper while someone rubs my balls with sandpaper.

Are you going to any games? Taking anyone with you?
I live near Boston, so it's not around the corner. I'd like to try to get to 1.

How many games do you go to each year?
2 or 3 between a combination of major and minor leagues.

Do you follow Spring Training?
Only to see a key player come back from injury or a position battle for a starting spot.

How many games do you watch on a weekly basis?
Part of one most days during the season.

Do you watch MLB channel?
I really like them. They were great right from the start. Good coverage, decent insights, not too many loudmouths. NFL Network could learn from them.

Do you like minor league ball?
Yeah! It's cheaper and much less of a production than going to a big league game.

Will you have a jones so bad you will actually watch the Caribbean World Series?
No.

Have you ever played baseball in little league, high school, college, or city leagues?
Little league, I could never catch up to the 40 mph fastball.

What do you think of softball?
Fun, I'd love to join an after work league.

Do you yell from the stands? If so, what's your favorite thing to yell?
Does go to hell Omar Minaya count?

And finally, if you are a baseball fan, are you also a niner?
More of a TNG guy.

 

[Tom Servo]

Who is your favorite team?
Boston Red Sox

Did they get anybody good in the off-season?
John Lackey, Mike Cameron, Marco Scutaro, Adrian Beltre, Jeremy Hermida.

Did you lose anyone you want to keep?
Jason Bay. Well I really didn't want to keep him, not for the money he was asking, but I would have not been adverse to resigning him.

How do you feel about the year coming up?
I feel that they will have the best pitching and defense in the majors, and the offense will be good enough to allow them to win games. I think they will be one of the elite teams in the majors.

Are you going to any games? Taking anyone with you?
Yes. Ill go with my family, and some friends.

How many games do you go to each year?
Four or five.

Do you follow Spring Training?
Yes, usually to see rehabs and other player related incidents.

How many games do you watch on a weekly basis?
I try to watch all the ones I can.

Do you watch MLB channel?
Yes.

Do you like minor league ball?
Yes. I find the prospects, especially in a good farm like the Red Sox, very interesting, and its fun to see the top ones finally get to the majors.

Will you have a jones so bad you will actually watch the Caribbean World Series?
I hope not.

Have you ever played baseball in little league, high school, college, or city leagues?
Little league. I would loved to have played in high school, however I lost interest in the sport for a while, and when I finally regained it, I was already doing a bunch of other stuff, and the team was pretty much set.

What do you think of softball?
Its a legit sport, and can be fun to watch.

Do you yell from the stands? If so, what's your favorite thing to yell?
Yes I do. And it's usually an obscenity at a Yankee player.

And finally, if you are a baseball fan, are you also a niner?
Not really. I like all the shows pretty equally.

 

[Starbreaker]

Javier Vazquez, but he's up for free agency next year so he could come back

I don't think so. He seemed like he was looking forward to being a Yankee.

All players say they're looking forward to going to the team they're traded to.

 

[Scout101]

Who is your favorite team?

Boston Red Sox

Did they get anybody good in the off-season?

John Lackey, Mike Cameron, Marco Scutaro, Adrian Beltre, Jeremy Hermida.

Did you lose anyone you want to keep?

Jason Bay would have been fine, but no real harm in losing him for the money/years he wanted.

How do you feel about the year coming up?

Should be good, playoffs at least, if nothing really serious injury-wise happens. Going to be fantastic pitching and defense, and decent offense. Should be interesting!

Are you going to any games? Taking anyone with you?

Yeah, I get to at least 5-6, maybe a couple more. I get a bunch of tickets, use what I want, and sell off the others to pay for the ones I want. works out pretty good...

How many games do you go to each year?

5-6, maybe 10 at most.

Do you follow Spring Training?

Not really. Will watch part of the first game, and then maybe parts when a new aquisition is making his first appearance or something, but don't really care much.

How many games do you watch on a weekly basis?

All of them, more or less. Might miss an inning here or there, but pretty much catch every game. Only ones that are tough are the West coast games, which start at 10pm here. I watch those for an hour or so, and then check the score in the morning, unless it's an important or compelling game.

Do you watch MLB channel?

No, not really.

Do you like minor league ball?

Not really. Only insofar as checking on a prospect on occasion. I go to Fenway enough that I don't have to go to minor league games to get a baseball fix.

Will you have a jones so bad you will actually watch the Caribbean World Series?

Nope

Have you ever played baseball in little league, high school, college, or city leagues?

Little league and middle school, didn't play past then

What do you think of softball?

At a college level (or higher)? Don't care for it. I play it at an intermural, beer-league level through work, though, and that's fun enough, and good exercise. Pretty sure that was how I blew my rotator cuff last summer, though...

Do you yell from the stands? If so, what's your favorite thing to yell?

Sure, on occasion. Cheering for players, big plays, occasional boos or obscenities if something shitty happened...

And finally, if you are a baseball fan, are you also a niner?
Don't really care about one over the other, not enough to identify myself in a clique. I'd side with the TOS crew if i had to pick one, though. The rest were just grasping to try and recapture something that was already great [/QUOTE]

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Javier Vazquez, but he's up for free agency next year so he could come back

I don't think so. He seemed like he was looking forward to being a Yankee.

All players say they're looking forward to going to the team they're traded to.

Cliff Lee didn't...