"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
I think it's easy to get swallowed up in this kind of statistical breakdown of a team. I think it's also sad to see it happen to fans. The team's been in a trough, no doubt, and that wearies the faint of heart, too.If the Reds do well they will win 81 games -if they do poorly they'll win 70...and almost all the difference is related to no real change -just a blip on the pythag. scale (over or under performing it), but no real difference.
We're finding out who the diehards are. Punch-drunk, maybe, but still here.
You've been saying you're out for awhile now. But you're still here. And I like that about you.What you seem to be missing is quite a few people who have fit into that category for decades no longer do. I'm out after 37 years.
Be happy.What's surprised me about this offseason is the number of dedicated Reds fans who've taken that same attitude. Anecdotally speaking, just from what I read (or don't read) on this board, there's a completely unorganized movement afoot.
Or maybe we're finding out who the masochists are. Faint of heart? I've got plenty of heart, thank you very much ... and so do plenty of the people who've posted during this winter about their ambivalence toward the team.
Don't see where it's got anything to do with statistical breakdowns unless you're arguing the only way to remain a Reds fans is to avoid putting thought into whether the club actually is any good. You don't need to understand much of anything about stats to recognize the Reds weren't very good last year and haven't added anything likely to have a lot of positive impact during the offseason.
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
I'm here because I like talking baseball with the people on this board, not because of the Reds. It is so not about the team for me.
I am. Plenty in fact. Great family. Good job. Love where I live. Get to pursue a wide variety of interests.
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
I didn't think there was much ambivalence at all. So there's still hope?Or maybe we're finding out who the masochists are. Faint of heart? I've got plenty of heart, thank you very much ... and so do plenty of the people who've posted during this winter about their ambivalence toward the team.
I haven't made any claims about what is required to be a fan. People are making their own declarations about whether they're still a fan or not. All I'm remarking is the passing of those who say they've lost interest, and the fact that I have not lost interest. There have been times in my life when I have not followed the team closely -- out of the country, raising young kids -- and I certainly understand that there are many more important things in life than following a pro sports team. And there are times when people need change. Life is governed by change, after all. Yet, for some of us, baseball, and Reds baseball, is one of the very few constants.Don't see where it's got anything to do with statistical breakdowns unless you're arguing the only way to remain a Reds fans is to avoid putting thought into whether the club actually is any good. You don't need to understand much of anything about stats to recognize the Reds weren't very good last year and haven't added anything likely to have a lot of positive impact during the offseason.
What annoys me is prolonged negativity in this message board arena. So I push back against it. I think that's what we're about here, at least I hope so, in the larger sense. I hope that if there's one thing folks can unite about here, it's about pulling for the Reds, even through all the debate -- and all the losing.
Last edited by lollipopcurve; 03-13-2009 at 01:29 PM.
That's cool.I'm here because I like talking baseball with the people on this board, not because of the Reds. It is so not about the team for me.
Ditto, for the most part. Ever been out here to western Mass? We should meet sometime, really.I am. Plenty in fact. Great family. Good job. Love where I live. Get to pursue a wide variety of interests.
I'm not sure you can it negativity when the club's been a consistent loser for eight seasons. That's just the reality of it.
Calling shenanigans on shenanigans isn't negativity. It's wearisome to do. I mean, the Reds could cut the shenanigans, but it's not indicative of a predisposition toward anything other than a distaste for nonsense.
If you asked fans to draw up a list of what the Reds really needed this offseason in order to field a contender I doubt what the team actually did measures up. In fact, I'm reasonably sure that if you could go back in time to Nov. 1 and suggest the Reds do what they actually did this winter, the almost uniform response would be, "No thanks, that's an awful idea."
I get the whole lemons and lemonade part of it, but some people don't want lemonade.
My in-laws are out there (my wife hails from South Hadley). We don't tend to have a lot of free time when we're out there, but if I'll let you know if I'm out heading out there with some time to spare.Originally Posted by lollipopcurve
Last edited by M2; 03-13-2009 at 02:13 PM.
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David
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