Chicago fans take turn for the worse

Curt, Naperville, IL — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:05:52 GMT

Excellent commentary. I am a transplanted New Yorker living in suburban Chicagoland, and there is no question the press is as hard on the teams here as they were in New York. (And the players don't always react well, either: witness the 2004 Cubs' uprising when ex-broadcasters Steve Stone and Chip Carey dared to question their effort.) Sometimes there's nothing they can do: if the "gasbag" you refer to is the one who's been attacking Ozzie Guillen all week, he neither comes to White Sox games nor allows on-line commentary on his written pieces.

My four-year-old son and I went to Milwaukee to watch a game this weekend. As has been the case with almost every other game I've seen outside of New York and Chicago (in cities such as Baltimore, San Francisco, and Cincinnati), no fistfights broke out among fans, I didn't have to cover my son's ears so he didn't hear expletives, and the fans genuinely enjoyed themselves. I can only hope the malaise that affects the fans and media in NYC and the Second City stays there.

Chicago fans take turn for the worse

Don O'Connor, Monteagle, TN — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:24:07 GMT

Sorry to hear your description of today's Cub fan! I'm Brooklyn born & Dodger bred by Red Barber, etc. Arrived in Chicago after Marines in '64. Wrigley games were so inexpensive...park always 1/3 full, it seemed...even when Holtzman beat Kofax in Kofax's last regular season game! Fans would applaud opponents good plays...always polite...certainly through my departing year of 1977. (1969 season was tough to love the Mets) Moved to Minneapolis/St. Paul in 1985 and found the same type of fan. Witnessed good-natured razing of players wives & friends during '87 World Series. I was appaled in the '90's when I actually heard and witnessed Yankee fans at the "Shrine of Baseball" yelling "F..k You" at opposing players. Disgraceful! Now Chicago, too! I'm 72 yo and many times lately I am ashamed of my one-time wonderful Country!

Chicago fans take turn for the worse

Joel Halter, Melbourne, Iowa — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:46:36 GMT

Why should Chicago fans be held to a higher standard? I wonder how "mello" Yankee fans would be if they hadn't won for 100 years?

Chicago fans take turn for the worse

Chuck New Lenox, Illinois — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:34:02 GMT

"Mellow Ball" Nice term, but I can't tell if you are degrading Chicago for this approach in past years or yearning for its return. As for me, a turn from the life-and-death struggle that baseball in Chicago has become would be very welcome. As Harry said...."you can't beat fun at the ol' ballpark". I wonder if Harry would find baseball in Chicago these days to be "fun". Long live the spirit of Bill Veeck!

Chicago fans take turn for the worse

Randy Johnson, Dundee, Illinois — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:39:41 GMT

Why shouldn't we have a winner? You New York journalists are all alike-noses in the air for your teams and noses that droop for ours. Why shouldn't we boo for a winning percentage of under .500 and so called hitters who can't hit their weight. Trade 'em to New York! We won't put up with them in Chicago anymore.

Chicago fans take turn for the worse

Dave Monk, Chicago, Illinois — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:39:12 GMT

If your team hadn't won a World Series in 100 years, you might be a little negative, too.

Chicago fans take turn for the worse

Stan D., Chicago, IL — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:23:25 GMT

Ted...can I call you Ted...here's the lowdown:

New York in the 70's - lousy fans, World Series ring
Chicago in the 70's - good fans, empty seats, no postseason

We in this city have always had expectations, but after 1985's Shuffle and the Jordan era, we expect way more from our baseball teams. And we're willing to let our players and management know that.

Hey - we booed a lot thirty years ago, too!