do expansion teams have harder time getting respect from the Fans and the Media?

Question

Teams created after 1960.

Answer 1

I think so. Just look at the Los Angeles Dodgers and "Los Angeles" Angels of Anaheim.

The Angels were founded in 1961, much after the Dodgers had established themselves as THE Los Angeles team. The constant name changes from Los Angeles Angels to California Angels to Anaheim Angels to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim didn't help much.

The only thing both the Dodgers and Angels really share is the Los Angeles media market. They are in two different counties, about 45 miles (and 2.5 hours with traffic) apart from each other, and there's a cultural divide between the fans too.

I have some friends who are longtime Dodger fans who didn't even know the Angels have the most wins in baseball right now. They figure the Angels are a flash in the pan. (even after the Angels won the 2002 World Series...) Both Dodger and Angels fans realize that the Angels are not a true Los Angeles team, nor do the Angels want to be, they just want the media market.

Answer 2

I dont think so, maybe in some cases.

If you look at the Mets, Twins, Angels, Mariners, all which I believe are expansion, post-1960 teams (correct me if im wrong) they've all built a pretty strong following and are respected in the media.

Maybe the dont some of the same respect as say the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Giants, etc...

On the other hand, teams like the Pirates and Reds who have been around longer than just about anyone dont get much respect either.

I think its tougher for the small market teams to get respect even if they win the world series (Marlins). And obviously its tough for struggling expansion teams like the Devil Rays and Rockies.

Answer 3

You really raise a good point. Your original 16 teams have great support while the newer franchise teams seem like they have to fight for fans. The original teams have fans everywhere that have followed them for years. I would be willing to bet that there are more Yankee fans in Florida than fans of the Marlins and Devil Rays combined. Of course, the media will follow the money and you will rarely see expansion teams on the game of the week. To answer your question, I believe expansion teams do have a harder time getting respect from both the fans and media.

Answer 4

Interesting question, and in some cases maybe so - especially long time baseball fans. But I see the teams like the Mets, Orioles, Twins, etc. having a strong following.

And there are "original 16" teams like the Pirates that sure have been mired in a long streak of anonymity.

But overall, I don't see an egregious pattern. But as a fan of baseball history, I do think the original 16 offer a much greater sense of tradition.

And I consider the original 16 the teams in effect basically at the turn of the 20th century, not the 1870s like Louisville and Rockford.

AL - A's, Red Sox, Yankess, Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Senators, Browns

NL - Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Pirates, Reds