Adam and I like to try to go to games together when our teams play each other. We went to two games just last week when the Tigers were here in Cleveland, and the experience was.... less than enjoyable.
 |
| Detroit Tigers at Cleveland, summer 2012 |
I've been to my fair share of Indians games in Detroit, and never once have I been disrespected based on the logo that is sewn onto my baseball cap. Who knows if it's because I'm a female, or because I wasn't being that raucous, but I can say that at this point, Detroit's got more class than Cleveland when it comes to having opposing fans in their home stadium. I'm not proud of that, and frankly, I'm embarrassed. When I have to turn around and give you the death glare because you just viciously yelled "Go back to F***ING MICHIGAN," amongst other things, at my boyfriend who has not said one damn word to you, we've got a problem. No, you've got a problem. You're an ignorant asshole who doesn't have the decency to accept other peoples' understandable love of their own sports teams. And based on that, I can only assume that you're probably a racist as well. Honestly, you're doing a disservice to the team by claiming to represent them. I could go on and on about these lame excuses for fans, but I don't want to get any more riled up than I am. It just makes me so mad, and is probably one of my biggest pet peeves.
Contrary to the assholes that we endured, there were also a good handful of fans that would jokingly poke at Adam, then start up conversations about lineups and players. It's a nice change of pace, and that's what I like to see; Good sportsmanship and camaraderie. We're all there for the same reason. We love baseball, it's America's past time and we all grew up on it. We love our teams, and we come out to support them no matter their wins or losses.
So next time that you're at your local sports game, accept the fans from the opposing teams and make them feel welcomed. Show them how great our city can be, and how inviting and CLASSY Cleveland (usually) is.
Unless it's a guy wearing a Lebron James Heat jersey. Get him the hell out of there.
This has to be the most naive post ever. Sports games aren't for the classy...and they never have been. It has nothing to do with when Cleveland won a championship or not, especially since we've made it to the playoffs several times and even made it to the World Series in 1995, so get your facts straight.
ReplyDeleteIf I went to an Indians game with Adam...actually, I just wouldn't. And I wouldn't expect him to tolerate me in Detroit either. I don't know why you expect fans to be tolerant of someone sitting in their seats, supporting the opposing team. (Especially since that team is in a state that already has a fierce rivalry with our state.)
Sports games are EXACTLY the places to be total assholes and to heckle the players and yell obscenities. Furthermore, Cleveland is home to one of the most infamous riots in sports history : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Cent_Beer_Night
I mean, if you want to go to a classy joint, don't go to a sports stadium, because no one has ever called Cleveland fans classy, ever.
"Baseball was the sport with the most such incidents. Though it may have less built-in body contact than some other sports, it nevertheless has its inevitable moments - those accompanying bean balls, broken-up double plays or what might politely be called disagreements with the umpires, for example."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/13/science/brutal-sports-and-brutal-fans.html?pagewanted=all
@Fenn I don't know, I just don't see why it's appropriate to heckle the fans. It's the players playing the game, the fans are just watching. They don't do anything to affect the outcome of the game. A little bit of heckling and poking is fine, but when you get absolutely violent with you words, that's another story. People have been violently beaten up because of the jersey they're wearing. They die and lose their abilities to live independently because someone didn't like their opposing team apparel. I find that absolutely ridiculous and inappropriate. Something on my bucket list is to watch a baseball game in every MLB stadium. How am I supposed to do that if I have the slight fear that I might get beaten up because I'm wearing Indians gear?
DeleteAt least for me, going to a game is about enjoying the atmosphere and watching a game that I love. It's not about being an asshole to someone who might not be from here. I think it makes it more fun to have a opposing fan there, because you can have civil rivalry, which is just as much fun as heckling the PLAYERS.
But you know me, I'm all about kindness. I guess some people just can't stoop to that level.
I edited it to say "haven't won a world series since 1948." I was paraphrasing my own memory.
Obviously, I agree that people should not be killed for whatever clothes their wearing, I just think your level of surprise was...surprising. I would've expected nothing less, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable going to a pro sports game with someone wearing opposing team's gear. You shouldn't have to fear for your life, though. That's not ok.
ReplyDelete