Who ya got, and why?

Benimar

Apologies if this has been done before, a quick look didn't show up anything.

A simple question really, what team do you support, and is there any particular reason?

Me, I'm an Orioles fan. Reasons are numerous:
-wanted an East coast team so there is a chance of seeing games at a reasonable time.
- wanted a team with a history.
- didn't want the Yankees or Red Sox!
- saw them play in my first (and only) game I got to attend.

Been watching their results for about 10 years and showing an active interest for about 5, which made last year a nice change from the norm

Waitsian

Blue Jays.

I was born and reared in Hamilton, Ont. before moving to Ireland as a boy of 10. Dad was a big Red Sox fan, simply because growing up he had no MLB team to support in his locality (Southern Ontario) and being of an Irish background I suppose he figured on Boston. But he started taking me to see games in Toronto in the late 70s after the club was formed and I've been a Jays fan ever since. In a way I'm glad to say I've seen them play at both Exhibition stadium and the Skydome.

jack presley

Mets

Two part story. Firstly, when I was a kid (around 87-88) my Dad went on a business trip to NY and was taken to a game at Shea and he brought me back a t-shirt, hat and yearbook so there I was walking around Dublin looking like a Mets fan without knowing anything about the game or the team.

Fast forward to 2005 and I spent 2 weeks in California and every bar/restaurant we went into seemed to have games on the TVs which I got drawn to. Also I take 5 minutes to get ready whereas my girlfriend (wife now) took ages so I usually had an hour to kill before we went out in the evenings and while flicking through the channels I always seemed to stop on the baseball. So coming home from that holiday I was hooked. I didn't have MLB.TV or NASN but I kept up with scores and stuff over the internet for the rest of that season.

When the 2006 season came around I subscribed to NASN so was all set and my childhood link with the Mets kind of made it that I had to follow them. And now I'm stuck with them. I always think to myself, look how easier it would have been Dad had been taken to Yankee Stadium!

8-10

Red Sox. Was in college in Boston. Got introduced to Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz at an event in the city that a friend was putting on. I had no idea who they were. Everybody else in the place knew and seemed in awe of them so put 2 and 2 together and figured they were a big deal. Started watching games to see what all the fuss was about. Red Sox go on to win the World Series that year. I'm hooked.

smackbunnybaby

The Cubbies.

J1 to Chicago. Living a few stops from Addison so eneded up watching the Cubs. Day games and proximity really.
Went to a White Sox game as well, but they were really far away.

Also like Red Sox after working there for 6 months during 2004, a successful year :-)

BigBadRob83

Similar story to smackbunnybaby

Red Sox

Did my J1 in Boston in 2003. Lived walking distance from Fenway and got to go to a few games during the summer. Loved the atmosphere and the team.
Then watching the games on NESN in the evening with a few beers, loved it.

BigFatGiant

Seems to be a J1 theme emerging here. I did a J1 in SF about 8 years ago and went to see 7 or 8 Giants games during the summer. Continued following when I got home and ever since. I won't lie, 2 World series in the mean time has helped me maintain a strong interest.

jack presley

I'm liking this thread. Cool to hear how everyone got into the game and ended up following their team.

Ken.

Orioles, Was in Scotland for a wedding and the night after the wedding came back to the hotel blotto. Turned on the tv in the room and baseball was on. Orioles v Rangers. Orioles beat rangers and being a Celtic football fan decided Orioles were my team.

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

Cool to hear how everyone got into the game and ended up following their team.

ken wrote: »

Orioles beat rangers and being a Celtic football fan decided Orioles were my team.

That's lame man.

Ken.

I was after being on a bender. It made perfect sense to me.

Trigger

Mets,

Went on a trip as a 16 year old to New York and was brought to shea on one of the days. I can even remember the game, mets beat the O's 11-3 that day and can remember being facinated by a Mike Piazza Home Run. I subsequently went out the next day and spent the remainder of my money on a jersey and Cap, been following them online ever since and the last few years ive been a subscriber to MLB.tv

I am going over for a week to NYC this year and will be taking my first trip to Citi for my 30th Birthday.:D

Firehen

Padres.


J1 (shocker) in San Diego back in 2006 when the Padres had an exciting team. I even managed to get a few days work in Petco Park. Didn't meet anyone of particular importance.

Now I'm stuck with a west coast team that haven't been in the playoffs since I was over there...

rockonollie

Moved to the US in 2010.....wife is a Cincinnati native......nuff said

UCD AFC

Red Sox, because of family out there. When I stayed with them they trained me into supporting them. It was only when I got home I appreciated the game truly though, only got to a Cape Cod league game when I was over there - still pretty cool, wish I kept the lineups sheet though to see if any of them have been drafted or whatever...

jack presley

UCD AFC wrote: »

only got to a Cape Cod league game when I was over there - still pretty cool, wish I kept the lineups sheet though to see if any of them have been drafted or whatever...

I know what you mean. The first ever baseball game i attended was in the Hawaii Winter League game back in November '08 and a match up featuring the Waikiki Beachboys and the Honolulu Sharks!

Looking back at the lineups from the night, Buster Posey was catcher for the Beachboys and others who played that night that have made it to the Majors since are Ruben Tejada (Mets), Dominic Brown (Phillies), Todd Frazier (Reds) and Tony Cruz (Cardinals). Of course I hadn't a clue who any of them were but it's nice to be able to say i saw Buster Posey play before he made it.

MoyVilla9

Yankees.

My summers have been spent with relatives in New York, as a holiday and eventually as a working trip, since the age of 13 (I'm 21 now). The 4 Train past the then old Yankee Stadium was my way home from my Summer Job and I would always try to peer in from the train in the hope of catching a glimpse of a game going on, normally with not much success but it was all I needed to stir my interest. Being a "Glory Hunter" fan was nothing got to with it, if I had to take the 7 Train home I would be a Mets fan. I was saved I guess as supporting Liverpool is enough heartache for one man to endure.

Comic Book Guy

Red Sox

Another J1 story, this time from 2001. We lived in an apartment on Boylston street, could actually see one small corner of the pitch from our roof but had great view of the replays on the big tv . So close that we could hear the roar after a home run while shooting the breeze in our place. I still wear a Nomar tee shirt I picked up while over there!!
Had ESPN America for last series victory in Colorado, match report on yahoo.com is first thing I check each morning at work once the computer is warmed up.

DubTony

Red Sox here as well. I lived near Boston in the early 90's. After I came home it was difficult to keep up with what was happening. I gave up altogether in 2002, and got back into it in 2009.

Yeah, I know.

ClashCityRocker

I went to a Mets game while in NY a few weeks ago, I've never had any interest in baseball before but have to say i thought it was great (i don't think it was even a particularly exceptional game, they beat the Rockies 3-2). I'm going to try and follow it as much as I can from now on, let's go Mets!

Johnny_Trotter

Started watching MLB on ESPN America, and organised a trip to New York/Washington a few months ago. I wanted to tie in a baseball game, and the only one that fit the schedule was the Mets. I saw Matt Harvey pitch a one-hitter against the White Sox, as the Mets won 1-0. They were on a brutal run at the time and won something like 2 from 15, but I was glad to see one of those, and also to see Harvey show his skills.

Citifield was nice enough, but only a little over half full, so not much of an atmosphere, and the constant planes overhead from La Guardia seemed a bit off-putting. I did come back with a Mets baseball, and a blue and orange NY baseball cap.

boccy23

On the Football forum, there is a thread which gives people a chance to explain their choice of team. I think it might also be a good idea for this forum.

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Reason: Had been into Football first (1984) but never had a baseball team. So when I went to Phoenix to visit my cousins, we went to see the Dbacks play. It was against Barry Bonds and the SF Giants. Got hooked and they have been my team since.

smackbunnybaby

J1 2003 - Chicago Cubs. The Bartman Year :-)

Also a Summer in Boston in 2004, so a Red Sox fan as well. 2004, the year they won.

I tend to be a lucky charm to extent*


*The Cubs should have gone all the way :-)

Benimar

**Cough http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056919907 cough **:D

jack presley

Benimar wrote: »

**Cough http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056919907 cough **:D

Threads merged. I liked this the first time around so hopefully we'll get some more good stories.

rockonollie

Reds

Had a passing interest in baseball, but then met a Cinci girl in UL.......married and moved here and now I'm obsessed.

PS.....it also helped win over her dad

8-10

rockonollie wrote: »

Reds

Had a passing interest in baseball, but then met a Cinci girl in UL.......married and moved here and now I'm obsessed.

PS.....it also helped win over her dad

Is she a fan? My wife won't ever entertain the idea of watching a game. Only been to 1 together and she really hated it.

rockonollie

8-10 wrote: »

Is she a fan? My wife won't ever entertain the idea of watching a game. Only been to 1 together and she really hated it.

Big fan.....we're season ticket holders

8-10

rockonollie wrote: »

Big fan.....we're season ticket holders

Living the dream!

rockonollie

8-10 wrote: »

Living the dream!

Happiness is.......a wife who likes baseball

krustydoyle

Yankees

Ive family over in New Jersey and New York City, they sent me home Baseball magazines many a year ago.
Also included a yankees history annual. That got me hooked and ive been a massive fan for around 20 years.

WATPOAE

Team: Blue Jays

Why?: I lived in Toronto for 8 years during my teens so got hooked that way. Lucky enough to have lived there during the back to back World Series years of 92 & 93. Been persevering ever since.

Going to see them in Baltimore and NY in June. Have seen them in Seattle and Boston as well in past few years.

Innish_Rebel

Cubs...
A bit similar to the J1 stories except I already had a love affair with the Bears prior to traveling. We landed in Chicago the week of Jordan's final championship so we were covered with the Basketball, so I still keep an eye on the Bulls. I got to a good few Cubs games - season of the Sammy Sosa v Mark Maguire home run & Kerry Wood pitching was awesome!!! Same year got to see 2 Chicago Fire games in soldier field before catching the Bears season opener v the Jags in Soldier field as well...

So as far as US sports goes I a Chicagoan!!!!

Oh yes on an old NHL game for the playstation my team was the Blackhawks!!!

In general though Bears & Cubs would be the two that I follow closely...

Itssoeasy

The Mets for my sins. It's actually partly because of the movie rookie of the year as they were one of the teams I remembered and then when I started into getting into baseball and I picked them because of that.

circular flexing

Have passing interest in a few teams

- Seattle Mariners was the first game I went to see when I really didn't have a clue. Been to a few games there and would probably follow them the most
- SF Giants because I like watching games in AT&T Park.
- Oakland A's after reading Moneyball and understanding how they are playing the game differently.
- NY Mets because we went to see a game there during our honeymoon. Even went to extra innings.

I think I enjoy the game itself more than following a team too closely and I also tend to enjoy watching specific players rather than teams.

DvB

White Sox fan myself, worked with 2 guys from Chicago a few years back, both big baseball fans, one the WS the other the cubs, I always had a bit of a thing for the white sox since reading about the black sox scandal so the WS fan won me over, that was back in 1994.... so 20 yrs a WS fan now.

jack presley

You're probably a fan of this ad then?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A63XjuA8u3U

MoyVilla9

Nothing like a good ol' match-fixing scandal to get me into a team!

Shakakan

Oakland A's - because of Moneyball

lankythecamel

Detroit Tigers,
In 1986 I started to watch American football,I didn't have a Team until Barry Sanders came along in 1989,at the same time I began playing softball which gave me an interest in baseball.Later on Channel 5 started showing live games with the great Todd Macklin who explained every aspect of the game.When it came to picking a team I basically just decided to stay with same city and picked The Tigers.

lambayire

First time posting in here.

Mets.

Was over in NY on the J1 in 1991 and was taken to a Mets Dodgers game. More below. Got hooked on the game and made the mistake of picking the Mets.

Back in 1999 my then girlfriend (now wife) travelled to NY for the Millennium celebrations. I got an idea to try and organise a stadium tour of Shea. So I ring up from Ireland and explain my situation. I am told that the Mets don't do tours of Shea Stadium. Well, I persisted that I live in Ireland and that "no" was not good enough for me. I was coming to NY and I expected a tour. So I am put in touch with the stadium manager who agreed to show us around Shea on the 4th of January. "Be there for 9.30am at a certain Gate".

We were shown absolutely everywhere. Out onto the snowy field, the bullpen, the dugouts, the scoreboard/organ area, the commentary booths, even Bobby V's office. That was the only place where photos were not permitted. It was a beautiful office, a total shrine to the game of baseball.

So as we are saying our goodbyes, I say that if the Mets ever make the World Series, I would be ringing up from Ireland to try and secure tickets for a game. Well 10 months later it happens. I make the call and am told that my call was expected and that there were 2 tickets put by for me for Game 3 of the Subway World Series.

Following frantic efforts to arrange flights, I fly out via London and bring my sister-in-law's brother to Game 3. He had taken me to my first game at Shea back in 1991, Mets v Dodgers. One of Darryl's first game back in NY as a Dodger. Darryl hit a home run that night but the Mets won. My love of basebal was born that night. I had the time of my life at that game and the World Series game 3. I even made an phone call appearance on the UK coverage of the game on Channel 5 in England. I got a phone call just as John Franco was coming in to pitch. The noise in Shea was so incredible that night, especially when Benny Agbayani ripped the game winning doulbe late in the game. I even found the game on YouTube this week. Who Let the Dogs Out!!!

With the exception of 99, 00 and 06, it has been an exercise in futility but I still check the Mets score first thing every morning.

jack presley

lambayire wrote: »

Mets.
.

Sorry for your troubles.

lambayire wrote: »

Got hooked on the game and made the mistake of picking the Mets.

I feel your pain.

Seriously though, cool story and welcome aboard. There's a good thread on the current baseball season and there are a few Mets fan that post and it's always nice to have once more to rant with as things continue to go pear shaped.

Rebel_Kn1ght

I like the Mets for my sins!!

jack presley

Rebel_Kn1ght wrote: »

I like the Mets for my sins!!

You must have a lot of sins.

8-10

This thread really makes me regret never doing the J1 thing in college

Swiper the fox

Not so much these days to be honest but I was a huge Mets fan and still follow their progress, haven't been to the states in a good few years since I had kids so my interest has waned.

In the late 80s/early 90s as a young teenager I spent a few summers in the states. I hung around with my cousin and initially I loved playing the game (stickball usually but the occasional proper game). As a hurler I found that I was quite good straight away, could get into position or hunt down a fly ball and the hitting was a piece of cake, pitching less so, my arm used to be wrecked.
We went to Shea a few times in my first summer (88), wasn't that into it until one afternoon Tim Teufel who looked like an accountant charged the mound after Rob Dibble who looked like a pro wrestler beaned him, cue bench clearing brawl, cue Swipers love affair with baseball. Probably been to Shea over 50 times, looking forward to seeing the new stadium in the next few years, I love ballparks, the view when you step into the light is up there with any scenery in the world for me. I've been to Shea, Yankee, Dodger, Fenway and a few minor leagues.

fanatics2014

yankees.

Amerika

Mostly the Phillies because I was a bat boy during some scrimmages when my uncle worked for them as a scout after he retired from the MLB. I also go to their AAA team, the LV Iron Pigs games quite often. I enjoy watching the Dodgers this year though, and they’ll probably take it all. But any team my uncle played for I cheer on… Phillies, Dodgers, Yankees, Indians, Twins, and Athletics.

8-10

Amerika wrote: »

Mostly the Phillies because I was a bat boy during some scrimmages when my uncle worked for them as a scout after he retired from the MLB. I also go to their AAA team, the LV Iron Pigs games quite often. I enjoy watching the Dodgers this year though, and they’ll probably take it all. But any team my uncle played for I cheer on… Phillies, Dodgers, Yankees, Indians, Twins, and Athletics.

The ironpigs have the best logos in baseball! My company has an office over there

Amerika

8-10 wrote: »

The ironpigs have the best logos in baseball! My company has an office over there

The new bacon logo is the hottest selling AAA baseball hat across the US right now. I think it's kinda inane, but of course I had to get one at the beginning of the season. :rolleyes:



One thing I don’t like about Coca-Cola Park though is I always have to buy more expensive tickets. The only alcohol the main level is allowed to serve is beer, and I’ve become allergic to beer. But the restricted upper level has a full bar and sells wine and liquor, so I have to shell out a few extra dollars on seats. And baseball and alcohol is a necessity by tradition.

jack presley

Amerika wrote: »

Mostly the Phillies because I was a bat boy during some scrimmages when my uncle worked for them as a scout after he retired from the MLB. I also go to their AAA team, the LV Iron Pigs games quite often. I enjoy watching the Dodgers this year though, and they’ll probably take it all. But any team my uncle played for I cheer on… Phillies, Dodgers, Yankees, Indians, Twins, and Athletics.

Cool story. Who's your uncle by the way?