This is embarrassing when the players say this

[Electron Blue]

 

I for one would laugh at that announcement until there were tears in my eyes. Could you imagine, the Yankees making an announcement to not mock Pedro, or the Red Sox making an announcement to not heckle Yankees players?

 

Go ahead and laugh. Your admission to the stadium is based on abiding by the terms set forth by the team. If you want to openly abrogate a rather simple, civil request from your host, that is an issue for you to deal with.

 

And, this isn't the east coast. I doubt many would disagree that a different attitude exists on the east coast than in Chicago. Just as a different attitude exists in the midwest than on the west coast. Not better, just different. Things that are readily acceptable in Yankee Stadium or Fenway don't necessarily need to translate to Wrigley Field.

 

My concern about that idea isn't whether Wrigley would be justified to do that; I know that that have the right. But enforcing it would be like the seatbelt law. It's a good idea to follow it, maybe a couple people will change, and ultimately there won't be any enforcement. I see really no change for the price of Wrigley being labeled as some "G-rated playground run by prudes," as unfairly as that would be. . .

 

You can't enforce such a thing. Such requests are made in the hope that people will feel embarrassed by their actions and respond accordingly. People just need reminders on behavior sometimes. Where is the harm? At worst, the fans continue with the same behavior. At best, some, if not all, stop.

 

Seems like a no brainer to me.

 

The only reason peopl boo and sling insults at the players is to be offensive. They're not worried about being offending to people - they're striving to do it!

 

My point is announcing that booing is offensive gets you nowhere, because everybody knows that. Those who do it, do it for that very reason. Therefore, I don't see that request making any noticeble change.

[CuseCubFan69]

Man if "Sucks" is now considered Vulgar and wrong, the Christian Extremist Right really is having a profound effect on this country.

 

This is BASEBALL, not Seniors Bingo. Booing, Heckling, Chanting the opposing players names, are ALL acceptable. There is a line, but using the word "Sucks" is not it.

 

I wonder if you'll have that same opinion if you're watching your son/daughter play and overhear parents saying they suck.

 

Are you seriously, and I mean seriously, comparing labeling professional athletes who make millions and play at the highest level with peoples young children including my future son or daughter?

 

If I overheard someone mentioning that my 8 year old son "sucked" that would surely be different in my mind, than fans chanting derisively when an opponent comes into the game to bat or pitch.

 

Once again, are you SERIOUSLY making this leap in argument?

 

I look at it as the player out there IS somebodies son. I hear overzealous parents complain about other parnets kids all the time at the high school level and it's sickening. Yeah, these kids are out there playing the game because they want to and are not getting millions but they still hear a lot of the same crap the millionaires do. When a parent can't even sit in the stands to watch their kid play because of the idiots that think they know everything just makes the game just that much poorer. I can't imagine Hawkins parents going to a game at Wrigley and enjoying it.

 

I'm not advocating that fans have a prayer meeting to help the player that is struggling but when you are in a public place where kids are around I think that it calls for some restraint on some of the things you yell. The game as it is is losing young people due to the arrogance of Selig and baseball by having the playoff games on so late and if you add foul language at he park as OK well.....that fan base will even get smaller.

[YearofDaCubs]

Why don't the players just the hell up and play baseball. Last time I checked were 3rd in our division and might not possibly make the playoffs. Do the Yankees,Philadelphia, and Boston players whine about it? Probably not. So what, Hawkins got booed as did other players who underachieved as Cubs. I will never forget what Hawkins said about him being able to do everybodies job but none us being able to do his. Well, let's just say his comments were asinine.

[Electron Blue]

Man if "Sucks" is now considered Vulgar and wrong, the Christian Extremist Right really is having a profound effect on this country.

 

This is BASEBALL, not Seniors Bingo. Booing, Heckling, Chanting the opposing players names, are ALL acceptable. There is a line, but using the word "Sucks" is not it.

 

I wonder if you'll have that same opinion if you're watching your son/daughter play and overhear parents saying they suck.

 

Are you seriously, and I mean seriously, comparing labeling professional athletes who make millions and play at the highest level with peoples young children including my future son or daughter?

 

If I overheard someone mentioning that my 8 year old son "sucked" that would surely be different in my mind, than fans chanting derisively when an opponent comes into the game to bat or pitch.

 

Once again, are you SERIOUSLY making this leap in argument?

 

Yes, I'm absolutely serious. Hawkins had family members present for the games. Again, booing, okay, the "Haw-kins" "Haw-kins" chant okay. "Hawkins sucks" not okay, whether his folks were there or not. My point is I don't think his family views him as a "million dollar player", but family. That's what I was comparing it to. Plus, what's the overall purpose other than showing that we had a bunch of drunk people in the stands Tuesday night/ Wednesday morning. I don't know about you, but thus far, I view Derrek Lee as one of the most classy individuals. When he says anything negative, I generally have to listen.

 

For the price we pay for medical care, you'd think we could really let some of those underperforming doctors hear it. Come on guys, "Dr. Springman Sucks!!"

[dalgreen]

 

For one, Dusty appeared just as insulted as the other two from the quotes I read. Two, I've only seen coaches or managers make requests to crowds for changes in behavior. Three, he is the only person I saw quotes attributable to the acquisition of players, which is a responsibility he shares in part with Hendry. Thus, if the booing is detrimental in that respect, I would expect more responsibility in taking action from him than Dempster or Lee.

 

Fair enough. I wouldn't have been in favor of an announcement. It was wrong, but technically it's wrong to throw a baseball onto the field of play, too and I don't want an announcement made for that, either. I hate the word sucks was chanted, but I think that's what happens when you have some people drinking beer for five or six hours. I think an announcement could've made things worse.

[JC]

 

My point is announcing that booing is offensive gets you nowhere, because everybody knows that. Those who do it, do it for that very reason. Therefore, I don't see that request making any noticeble change.

 

If something go lost in the translation, I apologize. My announcement would have been made based on the "Hawkins Sucks" chant. I have no objection to booing.

[Electron Blue]

 

My point is announcing that booing is offensive gets you nowhere, because everybody knows that. Those who do it, do it for that very reason. Therefore, I don't see that request making any noticeble change.

 

If something go lost in the translation, I apologize. My announcement would have been made based on the "Hawkins Sucks" chant. I have no objection to booing.

 

Just insert "shouting Hawkins Sucks" in for "booing" and my point is the same.

[swordsman]

If I am not mistaken, beer sales ended at Wrigley before the game even began on Tuesday night. Drunkeness is a poor excuse.

According to Chicago Tribune 7/28/05

Tuesday's game started at 9:48 p.m., or 28 minutes after beer sales had been cut off, making it the first game in memory alcohol wasn't sold any time during the game itself. It ended at 1:16 a.m. when Todd Walker grounded into a double play.

[GaryWoods]

If I am not mistaken, beer sales ended at Wrigley before the game even began on Tuesday night. Drunkeness is a poor excuse.

According to Chicago Tribune 7/28/05

Tuesday's game started at 9:48 p.m., or 28 minutes after beer sales had been cut off, making it the first game in memory alcohol wasn't sold any time during the game itself. It ended at 1:16 a.m. when Todd Walker grounded into a double play.

 

What time was the game supposed to start? There would have been people there up to a couple of hours ahead of time, some of them drinking right up to the beer sales cutoff. You don't sober up from that kind of buzz in a couple of hours. So drunkenness is a perfectly legitimate excuse, IMHO.

 

So is stupidity, a lack of ability to think for oneself, and blissful ignorance of how to behave in public. All probably played some part.

[cubbieinexile]

Does Hawkins suck? Yes he does. Stating the obvious in public is not ignorant, ignoring the obvious and acting like it isn't true is ignorant. Hawkins sucks and he, his team, and the World should know it.

[XZero771679666304]

Does Hawkins suck? Yes he does. Stating the obvious in public is not ignorant, ignoring the obvious and acting like it isn't true is ignorant. Hawkins sucks and he, his team, and the World should know it.

 

That's just stupid. I am sure Hawkins and everyone else is acutely aware of his performance without Cubs fans enlightening them. Believe it or not, knowing Hawkins sucks does not require acting like a boob.

[UK1679666180]

LaTroy is on another team, now that he is on the visiting team, I have no problem with them booing him or yelling "he sucks". I didn't like it while he was on the team, that in Lee's term should be considered "classless".

 

But, players need to be quiet about it to the public. It is unwise to be critical of the fans and instead of having a manager to be critical of the comments from players like Dempster and Lee, Dusty does the same stupid thing.

 

As an employee of the Cubs some things shouldn't occur, being critical of the fans is one of them.

 

If you recall when the O's went thru that horrible start of the season, it was pretty much non-stop booing, but you never heard Ripken or Frank Robinson being critical of the fans.

 

You want to recieve some love from the fans, get your behind out of the dugout and sign autographs before the game, there is enough downtime to do so.

 

[OldHappyCubFan]

Through all the comments users have posted here, I don't think any have posted what Hawkins directly said about the fans here in Chicago.

 

Bob Brenly spoke about in today's telecast, and specifically said that he doesen't think the boos were bad. Hawkins has made references, saying the fans can "screw off" and his performances aren't for the fans. Hes said he doesent pitch for the fans, and doesen't care what they think.

 

Brenly specifically said that Hawkins has said stuff about Chicago fans, that weren't exactly nice.

[WindyCity]

Things that are readily acceptable in Yankee Stadium or Fenway don't necessarily need to translate to Wrigley Field.

 

Like World Series pennants? :wink:

 

Maybe these are the growing pains our Cubs need to go through, before we can get to the promised land. There has to be a silver lining to all this, and I'm looking for it.

 

 

 

Also, this part is not in response to JC but a general comment/observation, ...... isn't it interesting that everyone talked about how classy and great the Cubs fans were as they were standing up and cheering every strike on Maddux's way to 3000 Ks..... and yet these same fans then get called classless for booing Hawkins? Which is it?

 

Or did all the classy Cubs fans leave the game early and the classless fans are the ones that stayed till the end of the game? And if its the classless fans that stayed till the end of the game (I guess that includes me because I was there for the last out -- I never leave a game early), are they more true blue Cubs fans because they didn't leave before the game was over? See how silly the classy/classless, true blue or not arguments can get?

[Balsa]

You know what the problem was? The game started late and therefore no beer was being served.

[Mark_R]

Where's the Cubs complaining about the booing today?

 

I'd be interested in their responses to the boos today.

[cubbieinexile]

Does Hawkins suck? Yes he does. Stating the obvious in public is not ignorant, ignoring the obvious and acting like it isn't true is ignorant. Hawkins sucks and he, his team, and the World should know it.

 

That's just stupid. I am sure Hawkins and everyone else is acutely aware of his performance without Cubs fans enlightening them. Believe it or not, knowing Hawkins sucks does not require acting like a boob.

 

I don't think one can actually use the phrase "acting like a boob" and still remain above the fray.

[imb]

Where's the Cubs complaining about the booing today?

 

I'd be interested in their responses to the boos today.

 

I missed it, what happened?

[oldcubsfan]

Does Hawkins suck? Yes he does. Stating the obvious in public is not ignorant, ignoring the obvious and acting like it isn't true is ignorant. Hawkins sucks and he, his team, and the World should know it.

 

That's just stupid. I am sure Hawkins and everyone else is acutely aware of his performance without Cubs fans enlightening them. Believe it or not, knowing Hawkins sucks does not require acting like a boob.

 

I don't think one can actually use the phrase "acting like a boob" and still remain above the fray.

 

Why not? he's right.

[chicubs]

Has anyone here ever played high school or college sports? Seriously, I really dont think a lot of you have. I have had tons worse things said/chanted to me than "___ sucks" They talk about your mother, father, sister, etc...Did/do I get upset no? It just motivates me to kick their teams' butt....Guys like Hawkins and some of you board members seem to be very mentally fragile if you cant stand "boo" or "sucks" .... Its actually kinda pathetic that a millionaire athlete gets upset. I dont get payed and get equal/worse treatment even closer up and yet I dont go crying to the media or my mom about it. You move on and get motivated by it. If you cant, you're just not a strong person and not a very good professional athlete.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Has anyone here ever played high school or college sports? Seriously, I really dont think a lot of you have. I have had tons worse things said/chanted to me than "___ sucks" They talk about your mother, father, sister, etc...Did/do I get upset no? It just motivates me to kick their teams' butt....Guys like Hawkins and some of you board members seem to be very mentally fragile if you cant stand "boo" or "sucks" .... Its actually kinda pathetic that a millionaire athlete gets upset. I dont get payed and get equal/worse treatment even closer up and yet I dont go crying to the media or my mom about it. You move on and get motivated by it. If you cant, you're just not a strong person and not a very good professional athlete.

 

Two things, and I have played HS sports and heard some bad things from fans:

 

1) What did you think of the fans of those teams?

 

2) Were those taunts and chants towards members of the team they root for?

[Satch80]

"Has anyone here ever played high school or college sports? Seriously, I really dont think a lot of you have. "

 

Yep, I have, both HS and College and you're right, I've been called just about everything. Without pay. This preoccupation and moaning over the Hawkins booing is ridiculous. He makes millions. He's a pro. Learn to deal with it.

[YearofDaCubs]

Booing is part of the game which also happens to be a business. As paying customers to go see the Cubs we have a right to show our displeasure if we want to.

[chicubs]

 

Two things, and I have played HS sports and heard some bad things from fans:

 

1) What did you think of the fans of those teams?

 

2) Were those taunts and chants towards members of the team they root for?

 

1) I dont know. Id probably do the same thing in their situation. Anything to throw off the opposing team....theres a limit which Ill explain in a second.

 

2) Surprisingly, even in a HS situation, when you have a ball-hog or someone who is just plain arrogant, the fans let him/her have it and sometimes rightly so. I remember one person in particular went something like 2 for 14 from three point range and he got some heat especially from the student section.

 

I do have a limit, though. Threatening a player or his family/friends is way beyond the line even in jest. Also, throwing objects at a player not matter how soft is wrong. I will admit, though, that I wasnt entirely displeased to see J.D. Drew pelted.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

Two things, and I have played HS sports and heard some bad things from fans:

 

1) What did you think of the fans of those teams?

 

2) Were those taunts and chants towards members of the team they root for?

 

1) I dont know. Id probably do the same thing in their situation. Anything to throw off the opposing team....theres a limit which Ill explain in a second.

 

2) Surprisingly, even in a HS situation, when you have a ball-hog or someone who is just plain arrogant, the fans let him/her have it and sometimes rightly so. I remember one person in particular went something like 2 for 14 from three point range and he got some heat especially from the student section.

 

I do have a limit, though. Threatening a player or his family/friends is way beyond the line even in jest. Also, throwing objects at a player not matter how soft is wrong. I will admit, though, that I wasnt entirely displeased to see J.D. Drew pelted.

 

I have a different experience than you I guess. I've never heard anything of that magnitude towards the team they root for. In my experience, I thought much less of the fans who taunted the other team or myself. In particular, I had a fan heckle me for having "hairy arms"(I was wearing a long sleeve jersey), and try and get on me when I celebrated with my team after a goal. I thought they were morons, and definitely thought less of them and their fan base because of their inane taunts. Like I said earlier, I suppose you have a different experience than me.