I try to avoid complaining about the bandwagon. For one, since I’m not in the Bay Area I don’t have to deal with it much. For two, everyone has to start somewhere. For three, they spend money. All of that can usually keep me from jumping onto my soapbox.
Right now, however, I’m a little irritated. Blame Aaron Rowand for refusing to play in the corners. Blame Bochy for even thinking of sending Bumgarner down to Fresno for a couple of weeks. Blame the fact that it probably won’t be sunny tomorrow. Mostly, blame this article. Of course, its not just that incident, its the build-up of them…
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What the hell is wrong with these people? Why are they even doing this? If this team and the players actually meant anything to them they wouldn’t be chasing after cars. But no. Its the new thing. The popular thing. The “Oh, look at Buster’s ass and Timmy’s hair!” thing.
Fuck these people. I want to see them, in 20 years, caring about Buster Posey and Tim Lincecum as much as the core of the fan base currently still cares about Will Clark and J.T. Snow and Willie McCovey and Robb Nen and Jeff Kent. I want to see them give a shit when they’re not young and good looking and winning Cy Youngs and Rookie of the Years.
Because they won’t. You know they won’t. They’ll have moved on to their next Twilight-esque pseudo-obsession.
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I hate it. I hate that I can read this: “When my wife is with me, I wish they’d be a little more respectful. I would imagine a player walking with his kids is going to be concerned.”
Leave him alone. Leave them all alone. If you actually give a shit about this team then treat the players like human beings. And if you don’t, then why are you trying to get an autograph or a photo?
If you really care about this team, then care about the people on it. Care that they’re happy. Care that they have families. Care enough to be respectful.
Yesterday, I saw a tweet from AZGiants saying they had spotted Jason Schmidt in Scottsdale. Regardless of the specific source, you know that anyone who recognizes Jason Schmidt outside of the ballpark is someone who has been following the team for years. You know its someone for whom a autograph or photo or simple “hello” would be something special. It’d be a story to tell the grandkids as you’re reminiscing about his 2003 season and his change-up.
But they never said hello. They never asked for an autograph. They never asked for a photo. Because they didn’t want to interrupt him.
Be this person. Please. Be the one, who in doubt, just walks away. Its not that its wrong to say hi, or ask for an autograph. Just think before you do it. Be considerate. Be respectful. Be human.
