What is with all the criticism of the fans?

[SeriesFinale]

Booing is the ultimate condescension

[Mr QL]

What do you expect the fans to do? Seriously, you guys are hilarious. Sit on their hands and pout,? Yea, you're the true fans. http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/roll.gifName one fanbase that wouldn't boo if they blown 15 3 run leads this season and have shown NO ability to come back in the clutch?

 

It shouldn't have any effect on the players, you would hope. It would make sense though since we're pathetically bad on the road. They need to toughen up.

[Bring Back the Stein]

I'm grateful for all the people willing to be embarrassed for me for booing the Brewers this year. It's sort of like when religions rebaptize people when they're dead.

 

Now, I don't feel any shame for booing a team that I want to be better, or a bullpen that I think has really stunk up the joint at times, but I am grateful that there are a cadre of the righteous who are willing to express their shame on my behalf. (In gratitude, I offer to make contributions on their behalf to NAMBLA, Lyndon Larouche, the American Nazi Party or some other suitable charity.)

[lcbj68c]

What do you expect the fans to do? Seriously, you guys are hilarious. Sit on their hands and pout,? Yea, you're the true fans. Name one fanbase that wouldn't boo if they blown 15 3 run leads this season and have shown NO ability to come back in the clutch?

 

Booing on Monday was acceptable, I have a problem with booing Linebrink's outing on Tuesday in which he gave up no runs.

 

They need to toughen up. Likewise, Fans need to toughen up and not cry when athletes talk about them in the media with disdain, afterall it was their booing reaction first that caused the problem. Some fans think they are untouchable because they bought a ticket once in a while, I don't get that. You don't like what an athlete says just as much as they don't like you to boo. You don't like it, don't read the newspaper. you don't like the product on the field, don't buy a ticket and rather...toughen up or go catch a broadway play some where.

[True CryM]

or go catch a broadway play some where.

 

I'd boo a Broadway play if they blew a perfectly good performance in the last three scenes.

 

 

[RU Rah Rah]

Also, there's booing, and then there's booing. I honestly can't help but groan or say something caustic when there's a truly bonehead play or dopey managerial decision -- it's almost a reflex. But I don't think I've ever engaged in that full-throated, prolonged booing of any home team I've rooted for. Sometimes it seems like an attention-getting mechanism for the fan: "Hey, look at me, I'm mad!" (I understand where it's coming from, though.)

[lcbj68c]

or go catch a broadway play some where.

 

I'd boo a Broadway play if they blew a perfectly good performance in the last three scenes.

 

 

 

That'll toughen anyone up http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/laugh.gif

[IslandsAC]

Even on Monday, it was pretty painful to sit there amongst all the boos, however deserved they were. The players must feel like a last place team in situations like that (and they sometimes play like it) but they're in second by a half a game in September. This is what Milwaukee has been waiting for for 25 years. Boo if you want, but it's definitely not for me.

 

...no, sulking is more my thing http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

"It's certainly a boost for us to play in front of a full ballpark," Linebrink said. "If they decided to root for us, that would be even better."

[DuWayne Steurer]

I'm not a guy who goes to the park and boos (though I might be tempted lately, if I were to attend a game), however, I think it's not really good business practice for so many people in the organization to be complaining about the fact that their paying customer base has expressed dissatisfaction with the product.

 

Whether you think booing is right or wrong, most of the people in this thread have said that it is a paying fan's "right to boo", if he/she so chooses. Consider it somewhat the same as going to customer service in a store or restaurant and letting them know you were unhappy with either a product or meal, or even the service. Most of the time, I think you'd find that business, EVEN if they felt they were in the right, try to make that customer happy, and hope that they keep that customer.

 

Now, I'm obviously NOT suggesting that Melvin should assure the fans that "the guys will try harder", or Yost should just come out and say "Yeah, I really blew it today with some of my decision making." No, that's not what I'm saying.

 

But coming out the way they have and really "tearing into" the fans in the media (when they're buying 35,000+ tickets per game) just doesn't seem like good PR.

 

We can sit here all day and argue the merits for and against booing, but as a business person, I think the best thing to do (if a reporter brought it up) would be to say something like "We definately understand that the fans are frustrated with the play on the field right now. Our players and coaches are giving 100% effort (or 110% if you love cliches) every day, and we want the Miller Park experience to be a positive one for the fans and the players".

 

Instead we get Ned being snarky and condescending, Linebrink being a straight jag, and Melvin complaining about fans who are unhappy with another colossal 2nd half meltdown.

[rluzinski]

"If I boo them then they'll know this poor play is unacceptable and they won't do it again."

 

+2

I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic.

 

[RockCoCougars]

For heaven's sake, this isn't the WWF. Who really cares who/what is getting booed/ is doing the booing? These guys are highly paid professionals, not high school kids. If they are thin skinned enough to perform badly or blame poor performance on getting booed by the home crowd, how badly would they implode in a pressure situation on the road in the playoffs in front of a raucous opponent home base? Guys like Linebrink (who has been very unimpressive) really shouldn't be whining about the fans to the press. Just gives me more reason to boo him next time I go to a game.

[afeter]

i haven't read the entire thread, but booing your home team on a 3 ball count is downright stupid. The crowd is a factor. If it weren't a factor home field wouldn't matter. There is no question in my mind that the booing affected linebrink's ability to throw a strike. It was so loud that it must changed his concentration. Sanit Louis fans laugh at us. They can't understand why any fanbase would throw away the home field advantage, or even worse actually help the opposing team. Ned Yost is a problem for this '07 team, but home fans booing is a bigger problem for the organization. Do all you booers want to run Prince out of town? Save it, gripe on this board, but cheer when you are at the game. Booing your home team is just moronic and unjustifiable.

[logan82]

These guys are highly paid prefessionals, but we can't pay them as much as other teams. We have to get players to take a hometown discount to stay here. That is less likley if they think the fans are jerks.

[tigerbrew]

On June 30, the Brewers had a 7.5 games division lead and 2 games wildcard lead. On August 30, the Brewers fell to 2.5 games back of the Cubs and 7 games back in the wildcard. In two months, the Cubs gain 10 games on the Brewers. The collapse was tremendous, I don't blame Brewers fans one iota for being upset and critical with Yost after that happened.

[DougJones43]

I really just like getting the chance to boo anybody who has more money than me.

[rluzinski]

I really just like getting the chance to boo anybody who has more money than me.

 

And better looking. Since Hardy has both, I boo him extra hard.

[pitchleague]

Consider it somewhat the same as going to customer service in a store or restaurant and letting them know you were unhappy with either a product or meal, or even the service. Most of the time, I think you'd find that business, EVEN if they felt they were in the right, try to make that customer happy, and hope that they keep that customer.

roco,

I know you weren't trying to be funny but after reading this, all I could think of was walking into Best Buy the next time I need to return something that's broken (or whatever) and if/when I'm not satisfied with their answer, start booing really loudly. I'll look like an idiot but I'll feel better.

 

Just made me laugh. Thank you! http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/roll.gif

[bucks2281]

I'm usually unphased by the booing; it doesn't affect me one way or another. But booing Ray King tonight was ridiculous. I know, he ruined the shutout, but come on. The Brewers were winning by 14 runs and he probably had some nervous energy flowing through his system when he gave up the walk and the HR. Booing Ray was just plain classless, IMO. Celebrate a dominating victory; don't boo a newcomer who gives up a HR in a 14 run ballgame.

[pitchleague]

yup, totally classless.

 

But look what it did to him. It turned him into a lean-mean K-ing machine. Minus the lean part.

[Baldkin]

"It's certainly a boost for us to play in front of a full ballpark," Linebrink said. "If they decided to root for us, that would be even better."

 

Honestly. His first game as a Brewer was the first time I ever got goosebumps as a fan. When the ENTIRE CROWD got to their feet as he went on to strike out the side and get the 'crew out of a huge jam.

 

They will root for you.

 

Guaranteed.

[Mr QL]

I'm usually unphased by the booing; it doesn't affect me one way or another. But booing Ray King tonight was ridiculous. I know, he ruined the shutout, but come on. The Brewers were winning by 14 runs and he probably had some nervous energy flowing through his system when he gave up the walk and the HR. Booing Ray was just plain classless, IMO. Celebrate a dominating victory; don't boo a newcomer who gives up a HR in a 14 run ballgame.

 

I don't think you can really count that as the crowd booing. Most of the crowd had left and that was like 5 guys near the mic.

[gypcasino]

I really just like getting the chance to boo anybody who has more money than me.

 

There's a joke there somewhere. But since I don't really know you I'll lay off.http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/happy.gif

[lcbj68c]

"If I boo them then they'll know this poor play is unacceptable and they won't do it again."

 

+2

I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic.

That's why I gave him +2 http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[bucks2281]

I'm usually unphased by the booing; it doesn't affect me one way or another. But booing Ray King tonight was ridiculous. I know, he ruined the shutout, but come on. The Brewers were winning by 14 runs and he probably had some nervous energy flowing through his system when he gave up the walk and the HR. Booing Ray was just plain classless, IMO. Celebrate a dominating victory; don't boo a newcomer who gives up a HR in a 14 run ballgame.

I don't think you can really count that as the crowd booing. Most of the crowd had left and that was like 5 guys near the mic.

 

I was at the game-- some of the crowd was definitely booing. It was quite embarassing and irritating.

[MadisonBrewerBlue]

negativity breeds negativity