Booing Former Players

[Sammys Boombox]

I didn't see this thread anywhere. If there is already one, sorry.

 

What is up with booing every former Cub who was an average player and played average for the Cubs? (Rusch, Marquis, Hairston) This actually bothers me a lot. I understand booing of Dusty, and maybe even Latroy Hawkins, but why boo somebody just because he used to be on your team and now he isn't. I think the type of fans the Cubs attract has changed drastically since the 2003 run, and for the worse.

[Banedon]

I didn't see this thread anywhere. If there is already one, sorry.

 

What is up with booing every former Cub who was an average player and played average for the Cubs? (Rusch, Marquis, Hairston) This actually bothers me a lot. I understand booing of Dusty, and maybe even Latroy Hawkins, but why boo somebody just because he used to be on your team and now he isn't. I think the type of fans the Cubs attract has changed drastically since the 2003 run, and for the worse.

 

I think you're way off. The fanbase, if anything, has changed for the better. They expect more from the Cubs, and aren't just happy to sit there, and enjoy the beer and sunshine, regardless of the on field income. If someone is booing Latroy Hawkins, that means they paid enough attention over the past few years to actually know that Latroy played for (and sucked) with the Cubs. What you're saying is that you liked the stupid fans that weren't even watching the game.

 

Booing is part of the game. It has been for a long time. Don't suck, and you won't get booed.

[XZero771679666304]

I didn't see this thread anywhere. If there is already one, sorry.

 

What is up with booing every former Cub who was an average player and played average for the Cubs? (Rusch, Marquis, Hairston) This actually bothers me a lot. I understand booing of Dusty, and maybe even Latroy Hawkins, but why boo somebody just because he used to be on your team and now he isn't. I think the type of fans the Cubs attract has changed drastically since the 2003 run, and for the worse.

 

I think you're way off. The fanbase, if anything, has changed for the better. They expect more from the Cubs, and aren't just happy to sit there, and enjoy the beer and sunshine, regardless of the on field income. If someone is booing Latroy Hawkins, that means they paid enough attention over the past few years to actually know that Latroy played for (and sucked) with the Cubs. What you're saying is that you liked the stupid fans that weren't even watching the game.

 

Booing is part of the game. It has been for a long time. Don't suck, and you won't get booed.

 

What did Rusch and Hairston do to deserve it? Hawkins, sure, but not those two. Just mediocre players being exactly what you would expect them to be, I don't see the cause for angst. I think some fans are doing it just to do it.

[Rob]

Hawkins didn't pitch badly (or suck) for the Cubs... it's just that when he did fail, it was always at very inopportune times.

[Banedon]

I didn't see this thread anywhere. If there is already one, sorry.

 

What is up with booing every former Cub who was an average player and played average for the Cubs? (Rusch, Marquis, Hairston) This actually bothers me a lot. I understand booing of Dusty, and maybe even Latroy Hawkins, but why boo somebody just because he used to be on your team and now he isn't. I think the type of fans the Cubs attract has changed drastically since the 2003 run, and for the worse.

 

I think you're way off. The fanbase, if anything, has changed for the better. They expect more from the Cubs, and aren't just happy to sit there, and enjoy the beer and sunshine, regardless of the on field income. If someone is booing Latroy Hawkins, that means they paid enough attention over the past few years to actually know that Latroy played for (and sucked) with the Cubs. What you're saying is that you liked the stupid fans that weren't even watching the game.

 

Booing is part of the game. It has been for a long time. Don't suck, and you won't get booed.

 

What did Rusch and Hairston do to deserve it? Hawkins, sure, but not those two. Just mediocre players being exactly what you would expect them to be, I don't see the cause for angst. I think some fans are doing it just to do it.

 

My point wasn't to say that the fans booing them are intelligent. Just that they're more attentive than the fanbase was pre-2003. If you dislike booing, fine. But to say that the fanbase has changed for the worse? I think that's just not true.

 

But personally, I think booing is just part of being a professional athlete.

[Sammys Boombox]

I didn't see this thread anywhere. If there is already one, sorry.

 

What is up with booing every former Cub who was an average player and played average for the Cubs? (Rusch, Marquis, Hairston) This actually bothers me a lot. I understand booing of Dusty, and maybe even Latroy Hawkins, but why boo somebody just because he used to be on your team and now he isn't. I think the type of fans the Cubs attract has changed drastically since the 2003 run, and for the worse.

 

I think you're way off. The fanbase, if anything, has changed for the better. They expect more from the Cubs, and aren't just happy to sit there, and enjoy the beer and sunshine, regardless of the on field income. If someone is booing Latroy Hawkins, that means they paid enough attention over the past few years to actually know that Latroy played for (and sucked) with the Cubs. What you're saying is that you liked the stupid fans that weren't even watching the game.

 

Booing is part of the game. It has been for a long time. Don't suck, and you won't get booed.

 

I said that I can understand the booing of Latroy. I did so in person, TWICE. Aug 4, 2008, and the night Maddux got his 3000 K and Barrett went yard off Latroy.

 

I think there are plusses and minuses to the changes in the fan base. I have no problem with booing players when they are underperforming. All I'm saying is, why are we booing Jerry Hairston, Jason Marquis, Glendon Rusch, etc.? They were average players that were expected to perform at an average level and that's what they did.

 

Also, this idea that all Cubs fans were happy to just sit back and halfway pay attention to a losing Cubs team is not really all that accurate. No, I hated those fans. I like the fans who aren't childish enough to say, "Oh, he used to play on the Cubs (as a bench player, bullpen pitcher, spot starter, whatever) and he wasn't a star. BOOOOOO!"

Edited April 22, 2009 by Sammy's Boombox

[Banedon]

Hawkins didn't pitch badly (or suck) for the Cubs... it's just that when he did fail, it was always at very inopportune times.

 

Fair enough. His failures are more memorable than his successes.

[manbearcub]

how about we dont boo freakin RICH HARDEN for giving up one homerun last night. then maybe we can move on to not booing former cubs

[Sammys Boombox]

how about we dont boo freakin RICH HARDEN for giving up one homerun last night. then maybe we can move on to not booing former cubs

 

They even booed Harden when Bruce got the single to drive in the second run.

[manbearcub]

how about we dont boo freakin RICH HARDEN for giving up one homerun last night. then maybe we can move on to not booing former cubs

 

They even booed Harden when Bruce got the single to drive in the second run.

:banghead: :flame:

[XZero771679666304]

I didn't see this thread anywhere. If there is already one, sorry.

 

What is up with booing every former Cub who was an average player and played average for the Cubs? (Rusch, Marquis, Hairston) This actually bothers me a lot. I understand booing of Dusty, and maybe even Latroy Hawkins, but why boo somebody just because he used to be on your team and now he isn't. I think the type of fans the Cubs attract has changed drastically since the 2003 run, and for the worse.

 

I think you're way off. The fanbase, if anything, has changed for the better. They expect more from the Cubs, and aren't just happy to sit there, and enjoy the beer and sunshine, regardless of the on field income. If someone is booing Latroy Hawkins, that means they paid enough attention over the past few years to actually know that Latroy played for (and sucked) with the Cubs. What you're saying is that you liked the stupid fans that weren't even watching the game.

 

Booing is part of the game. It has been for a long time. Don't suck, and you won't get booed.

 

What did Rusch and Hairston do to deserve it? Hawkins, sure, but not those two. Just mediocre players being exactly what you would expect them to be, I don't see the cause for angst. I think some fans are doing it just to do it.

 

My point wasn't to say that the fans booing them are intelligent. Just that they're more attentive than the fanbase was pre-2003. If you dislike booing, fine. But to say that the fanbase has changed for the worse? I think that's just not true.

 

But personally, I think booing is just part of being a professional athlete.

 

Booing people who deserve it is one thing, but they're booing everyone. It just makes us look ignorant, not attentive.

[Banedon]

I think there are plusses and minuses to the changes in the fan base. I have no problem with booing players when they are underperforming. All I'm saying is, why are we booing Jerry Hairston, Jason Marquis, Glendon Rusch, etc.? They were average players that were expected to perform at an average level and that's what they did.

 

Also, this idea that all Cubs fans were happy to just sit back and halfway pay attention to a losing Cubs team is not really all that accurate. No, I hated those fans. I like the fans who aren't childish enough to say, "Oh, he used to play on the Cubs (as a bench player, bullpen pitcher, spot starter, whatever) and he wasn't a star. BOOOOOO!"

 

I don't know about Hairston, but Rusch and Marquis both got paid more than "average player" salary. I know Marquis was...and I think Rusch got too much too if I remember right.

 

Anyway, I think the average fan probably doesn't do the expectations vs performance comparison. They just remember key games. And those guys had more spectacular failures than they did successes.

 

The Harden one is unfair, I agree. But he's not lived up to the "star" expectations he came in with so far.

[Sammys Boombox]

 

Booing people who deserve it is one thing, but they're booing everyone. It just makes us look ignorant, not attentive.

 

Agreed.

[XZero771679666304]

how about we dont boo freakin RICH HARDEN for giving up one homerun last night. then maybe we can move on to not booing former cubs

 

They even booed Harden when Bruce got the single to drive in the second run.

:banghead: :flame:

 

 

I remember when Theriot got booed after his first ML AB, which was a PH AB at that.

[manbearcub]

The Harden one is unfair, I agree. But he's not lived up to the "star" expectations he came in with so far.

What? Come on now.

[Sammys Boombox]

I think there are plusses and minuses to the changes in the fan base. I have no problem with booing players when they are underperforming. All I'm saying is, why are we booing Jerry Hairston, Jason Marquis, Glendon Rusch, etc.? They were average players that were expected to perform at an average level and that's what they did.

 

Also, this idea that all Cubs fans were happy to just sit back and halfway pay attention to a losing Cubs team is not really all that accurate. No, I hated those fans. I like the fans who aren't childish enough to say, "Oh, he used to play on the Cubs (as a bench player, bullpen pitcher, spot starter, whatever) and he wasn't a star. BOOOOOO!"

 

I don't know about Hairston, but Rusch and Marquis both got paid more than "average player" salary. I know Marquis was...and I think Rusch got too much too if I remember right.

 

Anyway, I think the average fan probably doesn't do the expectations vs performance comparison. They just remember key games. And those guys had more spectacular failures than they did successes.

 

The Harden one is unfair, I agree. But he's not lived up to the "star" expectations he came in with so far.

 

I don't see the booing of Rusch, Marquis, Hairston, sorry.

 

Harden's Cubs ERA: 2.20. 12 K/9 innings.

[jersey cubs fan]

Glendon Rusch sucked.

[XZero771679666304]

Glendon Rusch sucked.

 

But who expected him not to, really? If we're going to waste time booing every sucky ex-Cub who sucked, we're gonna be really hoarse. Booing underachievers in one thing, but booing all the dregs that Hendry ever brought in is just stupid.

[Rob]

I just need to point this out... Look at LaTroy's numbers as a Cub if you haven't recently. His numbers in year two are inflated by an aberration of a HR/FB rate that didn't get a chance to settle because of the small sample size. But still, he was damn good as a Cub. The one and only number you can actually be upset with him for is blown saves... and he signed on here with the expectation of being the setup man.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hawkila01-pitch.shtml

 

Booing LaTroy Hawkins is stupid.

[jersey cubs fan]

Glendon Rusch sucked.

 

But who expected him not to, really? If we're going to waste time booing every sucky ex-Cub who sucked, we're gonna be really hoarse. Booing underachievers in one thing, but booing all the dregs that Hendry ever brought in is just stupid.

 

I think booing in general is stupid, but saying it's okay to boo certain guys but not okay to boo glendon Rusch seems pretty stupid to me. People get booed when they tie up a considerable portion of payroll and a roster spot and aren't good.

[Banedon]

I think there are plusses and minuses to the changes in the fan base. I have no problem with booing players when they are underperforming. All I'm saying is, why are we booing Jerry Hairston, Jason Marquis, Glendon Rusch, etc.? They were average players that were expected to perform at an average level and that's what they did.

 

Also, this idea that all Cubs fans were happy to just sit back and halfway pay attention to a losing Cubs team is not really all that accurate. No, I hated those fans. I like the fans who aren't childish enough to say, "Oh, he used to play on the Cubs (as a bench player, bullpen pitcher, spot starter, whatever) and he wasn't a star. BOOOOOO!"

 

I don't know about Hairston, but Rusch and Marquis both got paid more than "average player" salary. I know Marquis was...and I think Rusch got too much too if I remember right.

 

Anyway, I think the average fan probably doesn't do the expectations vs performance comparison. They just remember key games. And those guys had more spectacular failures than they did successes.

 

The Harden one is unfair, I agree. But he's not lived up to the "star" expectations he came in with so far.

 

I don't see the booing of Rusch, Marquis, Hairston, sorry.

 

Harden's Cubs ERA: 2.20. 12 K/9 innings.

 

4.20 ERA so far this season. I know, only 2 games pitched and all, but he didn't have a great spring...fans were a bit jumpy. Booing Harden was unfair...and I'm not defending that. Just explaining it some.

[jersey cubs fan]

4.20 ERA so far this season. I know, only 2 games pitched and all, but he didn't have a great spring...fans were a bit jumpy. Booing Harden was unfair...and I'm not defending that. Just explaining it some.

 

There is no explanation for booing Harden. He's been a fantastic Cubs pitcher. He's done exactly what people hoped he'd do.

[XZero771679666304]

I just need to point this out... Look at LaTroy's numbers as a Cub if you haven't recently. His numbers in year two are inflated by an aberration of a HR/FB rate that didn't get a chance to settle because of the small sample size. But still, he was damn good as a Cub. The one and only number you can actually be upset with him for is blown saves... and he signed on here with the expectation of being the setup man.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hawkila01-pitch.shtml

 

Booing LaTroy Hawkins is stupid.

 

 

I agree, but I can understand the average fan doing it. I blame Dusty for LaTroy's issues. He was proven setup guy who had been historically terrible at closing. He was brought in to be a setup guy.

 

Dusty put him in a position that he had repeatedly proven he couldn't handle. And yes, his numbers were good even in spite of this. I was furious when watching Hawkins blow all those saves, but my vitriol was directed more at Baker.

[MWV]

how about we dont boo freakin RICH HARDEN for giving up one homerun last night. then maybe we can move on to not booing former cubs

 

They even booed Harden when Bruce got the single to drive in the second run.

 

Are you certain they were not shouting "Bruce!"? This sort of confusion pops up at Springsteen shows all the time. And yeah, Glendon Rusch sucked terribly. I don't particularly care that he was "understood" to suck. When you are as awful a pitcher as Rusch is/was, part of your job is absorbing boos.

[David]

The Harden one is unfair, I agree. But he's not lived up to the "star" expectations he came in with so far.

What? Come on now.

 

When I saw that Banedon posted this, I was pretty much speechless. :shock: