Kevin Marshall's America
Can I, an adult male, switch teams?
Sorry, gay guys of the Capital Region, but I’m talking about sports here.
I grew up a Yankees fan, due to my father’s fandom and the presence of the Albany/Colonie Yankees. I have fond memories of seeing games there, and remember vividly going to Heritage Park for – no joke – Kevin Maas day.
Nick Swisher, Melky Cabrera, and Robinson Cano: I hardly knew ye? (photo: Associated Press)
In recent years, however, I’ve found myself out of tune with baseball, a sport I used to love.
The assumption would be that it’s attributable to the PED scandal, but I’m not that naive. I was one of the few people I knew who suggested McGwire, Sosa, Canseco and others were on ‘roids well before the records were shattered. See, my baseball fandom came second only to my pro wrestling fandom, and we know a juicer when we see one. Besides, if you think that the NFL was and is clean, even comparatively speaking, then I have Twin Bridges to sell you.
What it comes down to, I think, is a completely dispassionate approach that comes with me being a Yankee fan.
The Yankees win. No, they don’t win the World Series every year, but they win it often enough to make it seem like not much of a struggle. I know they’re going to be in it, at least, and that really with what all their resources there’s an expectation – not a hope or desire – that they’ll win. Although they built up a good system in the 1990s, in the last decade the Yankees is a team that was signed, not built. Acquisitions like Randy Johnson and others were band-aids that worked to an extent, but not one that got me thrilled or excited for the future. Where’s the fun in that?
Then there are my fellow Yankee fans. Don’t even get me started.
So what do you think, readers? As an adult, am I allowed to switch teams and go from being a Yankees fan to, say….a Chicago Cubs fan?
The Cubs celebrate one of their own hitting a double.
Oh,those woeful Cubs! Those seemingly cursed, mismanaged, unfortunate Cubs.
Now there’s a team with personality and history; a team I can get emotionally invested in. I want a team that will invariably disappoint me, but that I can have fun carrying at least some modicum of hope for. Sure, Cubs fans think of themselves as long-suffering, but their love and devotion for their team is much stronger than anything I’ve encountered related to the Bronx Bombers.
Give me old Wrigley Field over the new and improved Yankee stadium any day.
So what you say, readers? Am I allowed to “switch teams” as an adult, or do I stay a Yankees fan and essentially walk away from my baseball fandom?
Vote below.
[poll id=”3″]
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See also: “An Exception to the ‘Adults Can’t Change Teams’ Rule?” on Mark McGuire’s blog
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46 Responses to Switching Teams
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STALK ME
Despite their perennial losses, being a Cubs fan is too easy, and you’ll be jumping on board in a time just before (I predict) the Cubs start winning again.
You should stay local and be a Mets fan. As much as I hate the Mets.
You really want to root for a laughingstock baseball team… I hear the Kansas City Royals are looking to increase their tens of fans.
You will be dead to me, Kevin Marshall.
A true fan would never switch their team.
And it’s a good thing you didn’t say you were thinking about switching to the Red Sox, that could have been very dangerous.
As expected, you lost me after “I’m talking about sports here.” Oh, and no apology necessary.
See Bill Simmons’ Rules for Being a True Fan. Specifically #19.
http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/020227
Be a Tampa Bay Rays fan. They actually win now and still have, roughly, 12 fans.
You could be lucky number 13 Kevin!!
Kevin – I agree with #1…switch to the Mets…we need more fans to commiserate with us when fail!
@HomeTownGirl– but isn’t he saying that he’s not a true Yankees fan?
I think it will be hard to switch to a non-local team, simply because the games aren’t on around here. Unless you have one of those sports packages.
People move cities and switch alliances. Go for it.
No, but you can switch to the Fightin’ Phils anytime.
As a New Yorker and “Yankee Hater”, I myself am a Mets fan. I almost can’t stand Yankee fans as much as I can’t stand that team. Everything about that has become so commericialized. Their players are celeberaties..not athletes. I say as long as you are switching from being a Yankee fan to something else (Cubs, Mets, Bad News Bears..) than it’s acceptable in my book.
It’s not always easy to be a Yankee fan. Everyone hates us, and our team…the Evil Empire and all. But I think fans are born, not made (although I was a late bloomer). So I don’t think you should switch.
That said, if you have to switch, I applaud your alternative. If I were to ever switch, I’d be a Phillies fan, myself. For now – I’m a Yankee Girl.
If you do your name WILL NOT go in the paper when I’m dead.
I bleed pinstripe so take this with a grain of salt. There is no freakin’ way I could turn my back on the bombers. I remember watching Guidry strike out 19 on WPIX with my brother. I still have the news clipping from Thurman’s plane crash in a footlocker. You can be disillusioned with the present incarnation, but to switch teams is to renounce all of the personal history you’ve had with a team. That, to me, is comparable to hacking off a limb.
I think you should embrace your Yankee fandom by getting a NY tattoo on your arm or leg, then sport an off color (like green or red) Yankees ball cap with a straight brim to the side. Then, get a few Yankee stickers to put on your car, but make sure one is the NY symbol, huge, in the middle of your rear window. Another should say something like,”#1 Yankee”. Also your license plate will need to get personalized into something like, “YNKFN883″, or whatever series of numbers that you think is lucky.
These suggestions have been put forth by a person who has never been a fan of baseball. Just putting forth different things I have observed from fans of pro-sports in the Northeast.
When you’ve been a fan through the thin times, it means so much more.
You can switch whenever you want. But, you run the risk of compromising any sort of emotional connection to it.
-gen
I grew up in Chicago and come from a long line of Cubs fans. Let me personally welcome you into the club. A few things you need to know. First, Cubs Home Opener is a holiday (it was actually senior ditch day at my high school). It’s April 1st this year. Second, you have to go into every season with blind optimism– learn the phrase “This will be their year!” Third, if anyone ever tries to change the name of Wrigley Field, prepare for war.
I am a Yankee fan and, to be honest, I don’t want/need you to root on my team. You are hereby BARRED from being a Yankee fan. Hey, loser, go root for the Expo’s !
….and I actually HAVE a Yankee tat on my arm !!
Remember that “fan” is short for fanatic. Do you really want to be one of those?
I went through a heartfelt midlife conversion, Kev. I grew up a hardcore NY Rangers fan, and stuck with them through the terrible mid-60s, to the almost-years of the Ratelle-Gilbert-Hadfield line and Eddie Giacomin in goal and into the early 1990s. Then, in ’92 they had a palace coup and ousted their coach. At the time, I lived outside Syracuse and got the CBC on my cable system. And the Maple Leafs were at that point a hard-working lunchbucket club…and I found myself becoming a Leafs fan. I knew my allegiance had irrevocably changed when the Rangers won the Cup in ’94 and I felt just a momentary twinge of regret…no urge to jump back on the wagon.
You’ll know if the feelings of fandom are true or not if and when you do switch. But don’t do it just to do it, or you’ll be a man without a country.
I’m kind of in the same boat as you Kevin. Grew up rooting for Don Mattingly and the average Yankee teams of the 80’s. Used to love the old Yankee Stadium.
Now it’s a 100 dollars to sit in the outfield seats and 9 dollars a beer. Not to mention they do go out and buy everyone and anyone they want. I’m kind of turned off by them. I agree with #7.. The Rays are a great team to root for. They have no fan base, they’re always competitive and exciting and they have a small payroll. If you’ve ever been to Tampa during the season. You can walk up the day of the game and buy an affordable seat wherever you want in the stadium.
If you want another team to root for that will always let you down in the end… try the JETS.. ;-)
Perhaps you could just embrace a pagan approach rather than feel pressure to be monotheistic. Love and follow the game itself.
P.S. – I’m confused by the suggestions to become a Met fan. I thought you were going to choose a new major league team to follow.
#15 JGR LOL. Perfect example of how over the top and obnoxious Yankee fans are. They are so dramatic! “I bleed pinstripes”. REALLY?! wow. (Sorry Randy).
Hey Chachi…….Fonzie called, and he needs you back home….
I don’t think anyone going by Bob-O should be taking swipes at other people’s names. Just sayin’. :)
i think you run the risk of being disowned by your family if you do this. lol. who are you? and what have you done to my brother?!
Go Local! Support the ValleyCats! That way you can say, “I’m still a fan of the Yankees, but right now, I just love the atmosphere of single-A baseball”. Plus tickets are a lot cheaper. And you don’t even have to pay that much attention.
My sister(s) – You should talk to our mother who’s a Red Sox fan.
Heritage “Park”…just saying.
lol, thanks Kevin. Bob-O, that was kinda funny.
#24, Chachi, my short missive could also be applied to New England Team Fanboys/girls as well.
30 – You’re absolutely right; fixed. I think in my head I was transposing it with Yankee Stadium.
Umm… I’m pretty sure it’s Kevin Maas and not Kevin Mass. I’m not even a Yankees fan (or a baseball fan) and I know that.
Any grown man that is a true fan of any team would never consider switching. This guy is obviously not a true fan… and probably not a real man either.
Umm… – I’m pretty sure a typo doesn’t constitute fandom or lack thereof (fixed).
Also, Bryan, please. I’m more man than you’ll ever be. Trust me on that one.
No adult male should be able to just switch teams on a whim. PED’s, Losing streaks, etc. There is no excuse to switch your allegiance as an adult.
Especially with the Yankees! Why would you go from rooting for a winning team to a THE definition of losing? The Yankees nearly always making the playoffs would only increase your passion for them, one would assume.
No you can’t just switch teams automatically (as an adult anyway). I can understand kids because at age 9 or 10 I went from Steelers to Giants – been with Big Blue ever since – my father was a ginats fan and most of my firends were as well. At the time that was the only game I could watch every week – yes I predate ESPN! Still like the Steelers to a certain extent i.e. until they play the GMen.
The only way you can do it is if there is an expansion team or if you move. In that case you have a five year window of opportunity to switch up but after that you’re stuck with your old team.
If you switch from the pinstripes as far as I’m concerned you might as well be a ‘sawks fan – Beantown scum!
I’m pretty sure no other team would want you as their fan.
Ron – You’re right. I called the Cubs and asked if they’d like my money, and they said “no! This is American professional sports, young man, and we’re all about intangible lines of faux integrity.” Then they all started crying because I suggested I would spend money on them instead of the Yankees.
You should be whatever make you happy. I kinda root for the Cubbys when they seem to have a chance just cause they’ve failed for so long.
Knock your socks off…
I’m a Yankee fan and root for the Mets as long as they’re not playing the Yankees. In the WS I root for just about whoever wins from the American League, unless the Mets make it. Yes, even Boston.
I’m a Giants fan but routinely root for the Jets and Buffalo if they’re not playing he Giants.
I like the Rangers in hockey but root for the Islanders and Devils too, even Bruins. Depending who each is playing.
Joe… that’s like saying you can’t switch calibre deer rifles.
jakester - Same. I almost always root for the AL team, and in the Super Bowl I’ve always leaned towards the AFC with the exception of last year – because it was hard-luck city New Orleans – and this year Roethlisberger’s going to make rooting for the Stellers a hard pill to swallow.
I’ve no idea why that is.
Hey, if you support the ValleyCats’ major league affiliate, you’ll be an Astros fan, like me. Which is like being a Cubs fan, except you don’t even have that early 20th Century World Series win to look back upon fondly.
Shame on you Kevin Marshall. You leave Ben Roethlisberger alone. Whatever other situations or facts may pertain, the truly important thing is that he is a winner. As long as he is a winner…everything else he does, says and stands for is mostly irrelevant. WINNING is what is important.
(Never mind that if Mewelde Moore or Rashard Mendenhall had gone to the same place at the same time and done the same thing, they’d still be swinging from a tree in the parking lot.) <– Was that too graphic? I'm not sure…
anyway, you lay off Big Ben. If he doesn't win the super bowl, then the terrorists win.
Good question, Kevein. I’d like to suggest you take yor pole (survey) at the “Water Works Pub” Hahahahahaha . But Stay where the odds are best (Yankees” and not go where the Best are Odd.
Sorry for the type-‘s. I should have stayed in bed.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/385191-the-best-hats-in-baseball-ranking-all-of-the-mlbs-caps#page/1
Kev, go here and pick the coolest hat and then beomce a fan of THAT team… if yo pick a cool city you’ll have a good excuse to vacation there for a ball game, hit… “San Diego”