when you root for a major league team aren't you just rooting for a rich corporation?

Question

There is no loyalty between fans and players, and the owners just care about making lots of money, the players make the same money if they win or lose. It's a real money machine and there is no drama, the outcomes are always so very much the same. The teams with the biggest markets have the best teams. I am interested in hearing what you think. To me it is like rooting for ATT or IBM, really what is the difference, a game I would rather play than watch. Thats my rant.

Answer 1

There is no drama? That's about the most moronic thing I have ever heard. Let's start by looking at the last three World Series winners. In 2006, the Chicago White Sox won their first world series since 1917. In 2005, the Boston Red Sox won their first world series since 1918. In 2004, the Florida Marlins became the third wild card team to ever win the world series (they also did it in 1997. And if I recall correctly, they had the smallest payroll of any world series champions in history. During the 2005 playoffs, the Red Sox became the first MLB team to EVER OVERCOME a three game deficit to defeat the Yankees 4 games to 3. This season alone, David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox (aka Big Papi) has nine, yes nine, walk off hits. Three of which have been homeruns which ties a MLB record. I rest my case for the MLB "not having any drama".

As for rooting for MLB teams vs. IBM or ATT, who the hell grew up watching IBM or ATT on TV? Any kid who grew up playing the game of baseball, or any sport for that matter, idolized at least one professinal athlete. Maybe they tried to model their swing after their favorite hitter. Maybe they tried to pitch like their favorite pitcher. In my case, growing up and watching the Chicago Cubs fail year after year has never detered me from the game of baseball. If it's not for you then it's not for you. But don't knock a sport simply because you cannot see the obvious difference between it and ATT or IBM.

One last thing...you mention that the teams with the biggest markets have the best teams. When was the last time the Yankees won the world series? That would be the year 2000. And since then, they have had the highest payroll and market of any MLB team. Who holds the best record in baseball this season? That would be the Detroit Tigers. And yes, they have a rather small payroll.

Answer 2

Most people root as a form of civic pride, or a regional equivilant. YOU may see the uniforms as representative of the corporation, but most of the fans do not.

After all, what else makes peope spend large amounts of money for tickets, or invest huge chunks of time watching the games?

There are also those that do this for the love of the sport. There IS a major difference in the skill levels of amature players and those in the big leagues.

There are lots of justifications that don't even consider the corporations that run the leagues. I'll tell you what, underlying all the fan support, runs a disguided appreciation of the corporation's that finance and put on the big show. Baseball strikes, hokey lockouts, replacement NFL players. The fans came back, and are greatful.

All the politics and finances behind the scenes are grist for the sports page mills, and a few discussions around the water cooler, but fans don't need to even think about questions, such as yours.

Answer 3

I try not to look at sports that way although I'm aware that it exists as it just takes away the joy of it all being a true fan loyal to my teams because they represent my city and I want them to do well. I just love the game and root for my team and keep it simple.

Answer 4

For some reason baseball is the in hardship-free words recreation the position I shop on with my father, in incontrovertible reality it is authentic for all of us i comprehend. perhaps it is because baseball is an outstanding bond between father and son extra effective than different events. one among my targets is that the Mets win the international sequence sometime previously my father passes away so that you'll be able to celebrate jointly. a number of my astounding memories with my dad are baseball moments. i'm dependable to the Mets specifically because of my father and his astonishing memories of the polo grounds and how he used to get loose tickets off the back of milk cartons. it is what baseball is all about. the wealthy heritage previous down from father to son.

Answer 5

that is not true the Green Bay Packers are in one of the smallest markets in professional sports yet have a comnpetitive team each year. oh by the way shareholders own the team

Answer 6

first of all, the players want to win. one reason being the more they win and succeed the more money they get. 2nd reason being that everybody wants to win, nobody likes to lose. i guess when you really think about it, it is similiar to rooting for IBM or another company, but the difference is that i like to watch these sports, and millions of others do as well. we are entertained by these amazing athletes doing things that we wish we could do. most ppl arent as amazed at watching IBM making new software or something.

its similiar to those who dance and enjoy watching dancing. they like to dance and watch it too. i for one like to play tennis and also enjoy watching it on tv as well. i cant speak for everyone, but many ppl like to watch what they like to do.

Answer 7

Actually The Tigers are owned by mike ilitch (who is a local businessman).

So when I root for my hometown Tigers, I am actually rooting for my hometown team.

unlike the braves who are owned by aol/ timewarner (one of the biggest money grabbing conglomerates of all time).

Answer 8

no you are rooting for a team because they are good and they have really hot players