Have you ever thought about switching teams?

[Soul]

I joke about it sometimes to let off steam, but speaking seriously -- this isn't even an option.

 

If you can switch teams, then how good a fan are you in the first place?

[hardcorecubfan]

NEVER!!! I will go down with this ship

[Derwood]

This always strikes me as a question that a non-sports fan would ask. It's like when I moved to Columbus and people asked me, "so, are you going to start cheering for Ohio State now?" Yeah, I'm going to drop 20+ years of Penn State fandom because I now have a central Ohio zip code....

[Little Slide Rooter]

I have a friend Ive been friends with since we were 12 or 13. He was a die hard Tigers fan. A few years ago, he moved to LA, and the past 2 years, he bleeds Dodger Blue. I dont see him anymore, but everytime he posts about the Dodgers on Facebook, Im right there to remind him where he came from.

[Soul]

I can't even comprehend that kind of mentality.

 

To me it's for life. Period. End of story.

[jersey cubs fan]

There was that one time in college but I was drunk and confused........

[Sammy Sofa]

I have an emergency backup team in case the Cubs become unbearable, like they did early in 06. This is supposed to be fun, you know. I won't feel the same joy the diehards will if they ever win it all, but I don't go through the same pain year after year either. Life's too short to place your personal happiness in the hands of a bunch of spoiled jocks who don't know you exist. If a TV show sucks, you change the channel. The Cubs are a TV show that lasts a lifetime. When they suck, you change the channel. Saying you don't have a choice is a copout, IMO. That said, they've been relatively good this decade so we're way luckier than some earlier generations were.

 

I think you're confused about what a "copout" is.

[soapy]

hell no. if i could do that i would have done it a long time ago.

 

but really, the very idea that others do it fills me with rage. i have a friend who is now a huge Tigers fan after moving to Detroit (or more accurately, not until after they starting having success) after spending the first 26 years of his life as a diehard Reds fan. he loves to claim he absolutely doesn't care about the Reds now that they are garbage. it's one thing to root for the team in your hometown in addition to your favorite/childhood/etc team, but it's another to completely abandon the original team.

 

i can't wait until the Reds actually put a team together and he jumps right back on board.

 

i also hate it when people here in Indy get upset with me for being a Bears fan. "But you live in Indy!" so what? it's always interesting though when i ask them if they'd switch teams if they moved to a different city. the sad thing is, about half of them say yes. i have another friend in that situation. he always gave me a ton of grief for rooting for the Bears above the Colts. when i asked him if he'd root for the Colts if he lived in another city that had a team and/or if he'd still root for the STL Cardinals if he moved to another city with a team, he said yes. he would always root for his hometeam.

 

then he moved to Cincinnati about a year and a half ago and changed his tune.

[Misfit]

I went through a period earlier this summer with a bit of confusion. The 2004 season really agitated me with the team failing to admit fault and instead, cried about the announcers. I went through a phase where I was mad from the Cubs, and I at the same time was becoming a news/political junkie, so I began listening to talk radio far more and less sports, and that impacted how much sports I watched on TV. I went a good few years without watching ball. I started watching again this summer after attending a game at the Cell with my best buddy who is a Sox fan. I really like their ball club and really took a liking to their team, even though they didn't win a lot.

 

After a Sox game on TV then, I turned back on the Cubs and regularly watched both teams this summer. When my buddy asked me if I was becoming a Sox fan, I said I like the team, and I think their ballpark is more fun, but if the Cubs ever played the Sox in the World Series, there was no way I could root against the Cubs.

 

If it's any consolation though, last weekend at the Cubs Store in Woodfield, I did buy a blue D. Lee jersey, so I think that reaffirms my loyalty.

Edited September 21, 2009 by Misfit

[Hawk4Hall]

As much as the Cubs have angered me to no end (this season especially) I can't even imagine rooting for someone else.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I often say that if I could stop being a fan I would, but I dont even know if thats true. I enjoy it. Unlike other dissapointments in life, The Cubs are a dissapointment that I always know I can vent about with a lot of people, and they'll vent right back. Yeah, ultimately at one point or other in the season, I'll end up dissapointed, but I want to be there when they finally bring home a championship.

[Sammy Sofa]

I have considered it before. The 2004 season really agitated me. I went through a phase where I was mad from the Cubs, and I at the same time was becoming a news/political junkie, so I began listening to talk radio far more and less sports, and that impacted how much sports I watched. I went a good few years without watching ball. I started watching again this summer after attending a game at the Cell with my best buddy who is a Sox fan. I really like their ball club and really took a liking to their team, even though they didn't win a lot.

 

I told my buddy though that I could be a "Chicago fan" but that if the Cubs ever played the Sox in the World Series, there was no way I could root against the Cubs.

 

If it's any consolation though, last weekend at the Cubs Store in Woodfield, I did buy a blue D. Lee jersey, so I think that reaffirms my loyalty.

 

http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/floor1/entrance-hall/portrait-jfk.jpg

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't think I chose to be irrationally attached on an emotional level to the outcome of games played by guys wearing Cubs uniforms so I'm not sure how I would even go about switching teams as a fan.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's not as easy as just deciding to. I'm still working on it, but it's hard.

 

I've picked out my new team, I spent the entire offseason following their news and trying to ignore the Cubs, I posted on their forums. But when Opening Day came around, I still barely cared about the new team and had a strong desire to watch the Cubs game.

 

Closing in on an entire season of working on it, I care about the Cubs a little bit less and the new team a little bit more, but it's still 95/5 at best. It's going to take years to get this to stick, if ever.

[Moises a loo]

I have an emergency backup team in case the Cubs become unbearable, like they did early in 06. This is supposed to be fun, you know. I won't feel the same joy the diehards will if they ever win it all, but I don't go through the same pain year after year either. Life's too short to place your personal happiness in the hands of a bunch of spoiled jocks who don't know you exist. If a TV show sucks, you change the channel. The Cubs are a TV show that lasts a lifetime. When they suck, you change the channel. Saying you don't have a choice is a copout, IMO. That said, they've been relatively good this decade so we're way luckier than some earlier generations were.

 

I think you're confused about what a "copout" is.

 

So are you saying I have a responsibility to stand by the Cubs, no matter how poorly run they are, no matter how unpleasant they are to watch? No matter how many predictably stupid moves they make, even though I'm powerless to change these things? Okay, then, I happily admit I'm "copping out" of my sacred responsibility as a Cubs fan, whenever it suits me.

 

My point was that people are responsible for their own choices, and if you reach a point where your decision to be a Cubs fan is making your life miserable, it's a copout to say you can't change it. Whether or not to follow the team is ultimately the only power you DO have in this situation, and you'd be a fool to rule it out over some archaic romantic idea that it's in your blood or some crap like that.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I have an emergency backup team in case the Cubs become unbearable, like they did early in 06. This is supposed to be fun, you know. I won't feel the same joy the diehards will if they ever win it all, but I don't go through the same pain year after year either. Life's too short to place your personal happiness in the hands of a bunch of spoiled jocks who don't know you exist. If a TV show sucks, you change the channel. The Cubs are a TV show that lasts a lifetime. When they suck, you change the channel. Saying you don't have a choice is a copout, IMO. That said, they've been relatively good this decade so we're way luckier than some earlier generations were.

 

I think you're confused about what a "copout" is.

 

So are you saying I have a responsibility to stand by the Cubs, no matter how poorly run they are, no matter how unpleasant they are to watch? No matter how many predictably stupid moves they make, even though I'm powerless to change these things? Okay, then, I happily admit I'm "copping out" of my sacred responsibility as a Cubs fan, whenever it suits me.

 

My point was that people are responsible for their own choices, and if you reach a point where your decision to be a Cubs fan is making your life miserable, it's a copout to say you can't change it. Whether or not to follow the team is ultimately the only power you DO have in this situation, and you'd be a fool to rule it out over some archaic romantic idea that it's in your blood or some crap like that.

 

I hear you. When it comes to the Cubs and Bears, Im in it through thick and thin, but as far a The Bulls go, when they're good, Ill watch them, when there not, Im not. Ive never really been an NBA or NHL fan, but anytime a local team (aside from the Whitte Sox) look playoff bound, I figure that I can at least give them a look see. Same for the Blackhawks.

[Pushfrog98]

I rooted for the Astros back in 1992 for about a week.

[BeerHere]

Nope. Its genetic.

 

This

[Little Slide Rooter]

I guess what it comes down to is that is not an exculsive club. While there are those of us that are die hards, and there are those who tune in when the team is doing good, thats just the way it is. Its not like we can force peple to have to sit through a few years of crappy Cubs teams before they earn the right to watch a good one. Yeah, the last few years there were a lot of new fans jumping on the bangdwagon, but I didnt have the right to pull them inside and make then watch and the entire 2006 season or a DVD of the Riggelman years before they could watch last year.

[Soul]

I have an emergency backup team in case the Cubs become unbearable, like they did early in 06. This is supposed to be fun, you know. I won't feel the same joy the diehards will if they ever win it all, but I don't go through the same pain year after year either. Life's too short to place your personal happiness in the hands of a bunch of spoiled jocks who don't know you exist. If a TV show sucks, you change the channel. The Cubs are a TV show that lasts a lifetime. When they suck, you change the channel. Saying you don't have a choice is a copout, IMO. That said, they've been relatively good this decade so we're way luckier than some earlier generations were.

 

I think you're confused about what a "copout" is.

 

So are you saying I have a responsibility to stand by the Cubs, no matter how poorly run they are, no matter how unpleasant they are to watch? No matter how many predictably stupid moves they make, even though I'm powerless to change these things? Okay, then, I happily admit I'm "copping out" of my sacred responsibility as a Cubs fan, whenever it suits me.

 

My point was that people are responsible for their own choices, and if you reach a point where your decision to be a Cubs fan is making your life miserable, it's a copout to say you can't change it. Whether or not to follow the team is ultimately the only power you DO have in this situation, and you'd be a fool to rule it out over some archaic romantic idea that it's in your blood or some crap like that.

 

Yeah, but you can't let Cub misery bleed over into making your entire life miserable. I could see how someone would want to change if that was the case.

 

I've noticed that other areas of my life do just fine when my sports teams suck. That probably not a real big coincidence, too :)

 

You are also responsible for keeping your sports from making you as a whole a miserable person, you know.

 

To me it's much more of a copout to quit your team.

[kujay]

I would never trade in the Cubs, but I will admit that my attention level strays quite a bit when they go in the tank. Which means I've basically taken this season off.

 

I never left the Blackhawks, but in the darkest days of the (William) Wirtz era I let myself root for the Blues. And I still do, as long as their interests don't conflict with the Hawks.

[Sammy Sofa]

I have an emergency backup team in case the Cubs become unbearable, like they did early in 06. This is supposed to be fun, you know. I won't feel the same joy the diehards will if they ever win it all, but I don't go through the same pain year after year either. Life's too short to place your personal happiness in the hands of a bunch of spoiled jocks who don't know you exist. If a TV show sucks, you change the channel. The Cubs are a TV show that lasts a lifetime. When they suck, you change the channel. Saying you don't have a choice is a copout, IMO. That said, they've been relatively good this decade so we're way luckier than some earlier generations were.

 

I think you're confused about what a "copout" is.

 

So are you saying I have a responsibility to stand by the Cubs, no matter how poorly run they are, no matter how unpleasant they are to watch? No matter how many predictably stupid moves they make, even though I'm powerless to change these things? Okay, then, I happily admit I'm "copping out" of my sacred responsibility as a Cubs fan, whenever it suits me.

 

My point was that people are responsible for their own choices, and if you reach a point where your decision to be a Cubs fan is making your life miserable, it's a copout to say you can't change it. Whether or not to follow the team is ultimately the only power you DO have in this situation, and you'd be a fool to rule it out over some archaic romantic idea that it's in your blood or some crap like that.

 

I never said it was some kind of "sacred responsibility:" I just don't see the point in giving up on a team one has rooted for all or most of their life because they're often bad. If that's the idea, why root for any team ever for any prolonged period of time unless they're winning?

 

There's also a huge difference between choosing to not watch or follow a team and actually becoming a fan of a different team altogether.

 

Of course anyone here COULD change being fans of the Cubs: any statements along those lines should be obvious hyperbole.

[GlassCow]

Have never and will never switch allegiances. I've endured too much and see too many ups and too many more downs to consider it. I did in my youth at one point decide I was going to quit being a Cubs fan, but my mother reminded me that I need to be loyal to my team. Looking back, I would have missed a lot of miserable moments had I stayed the course, but I also would have missed ever seeing them in the playoffs again after the magical year of '89 (this would have been when they let Maddux walk.)

[ScrubMD]

I don't think I chose to be irrationally attached on an emotional level to the outcome of games played by guys wearing Cubs uniforms so I'm not sure how I would even go about switching teams as a fan.

 

Exactly. When people ask questions like this, it seems like being a sports fan is just something they saw other people doing and didn't understand it.

[Moises a loo]

I have an emergency backup team in case the Cubs become unbearable, like they did early in 06. This is supposed to be fun, you know. I won't feel the same joy the diehards will if they ever win it all, but I don't go through the same pain year after year either. Life's too short to place your personal happiness in the hands of a bunch of spoiled jocks who don't know you exist. If a TV show sucks, you change the channel. The Cubs are a TV show that lasts a lifetime. When they suck, you change the channel. Saying you don't have a choice is a copout, IMO. That said, they've been relatively good this decade so we're way luckier than some earlier generations were.

 

I think you're confused about what a "copout" is.

 

So are you saying I have a responsibility to stand by the Cubs, no matter how poorly run they are, no matter how unpleasant they are to watch? No matter how many predictably stupid moves they make, even though I'm powerless to change these things? Okay, then, I happily admit I'm "copping out" of my sacred responsibility as a Cubs fan, whenever it suits me.

 

My point was that people are responsible for their own choices, and if you reach a point where your decision to be a Cubs fan is making your life miserable, it's a copout to say you can't change it. Whether or not to follow the team is ultimately the only power you DO have in this situation, and you'd be a fool to rule it out over some archaic romantic idea that it's in your blood or some crap like that.

 

I never said it was some kind of "sacred responsibility:" I just don't see the point in giving up on a team one has rooted for all or most of their life because they're often bad. If that's the idea, why root for any team ever for any prolonged period of time unless they're winning?

 

There's also a huge difference between choosing to not watch or follow a team and actually becoming a fan of a different team altogether.

 

Of course anyone here COULD change being fans of the Cubs: any statements along those lines should be obvious hyperbole.

 

The point of giving up on the team would be that it's no longer fun to root for them. Like I said, when the show you're watching sucks, you change channels. You watch in the first place because you hope it will be fun, you have an emotional attachment to the uniform, or whatever. But to say that you could never root for another team, to me, is like saying you grew up watching "Wheel Of Fortune", you LOVE "Wheel of Fortune", and you would NEVER watch another game show, because you're a "Wheel of Fortune" fan, darnit.

 

I see nothing wrong with someone channel-surfing their baseball teams if it makes them happy. I already know I'm rooting for the Phillies in the playoffs again this year. Love that lineup.