Posted on 12/15/2004 7:39:45 AM PST by johnny7
So how are you enjoying your offseason so far?
Anyway, I'll bet you didn't sign a $54 million contract. I know I didn't. On the other hand, none of us will have to pitch in front of the Mets' defense next year. Pedro will. At least we'll have some peace of mind. Ah, Pedro, I guess now we really do know ye. Nah, we don't. That's the central lesson we never seem to learn, or want to learn. We really don't know them.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
They haven't even removed the name from their locker and they start slinging the mud. GET OVER IT!
While these guys are there, Boston treats them like God's... the writers columns are filled with unctious, fawning adulation. But once they're gone... holy sh_t(pardon the pun)... they're the closest thing to human excrement!
It sadly reflects the logic that permeates Boston and Massachusetts in general.
Don't single out Boston or Mass. on this one. That's a lame statement. It's all local sportswriting.
And if Pedro had a couple of bad seasons would these guys have stood up for him? Or would they be calling for him to traded off?
A professional athlete leaves one team for a better offer with another team and the local scribes are SHOCKED, SHOCKED! Pedro has a limited shelf life - he's 33 now I believe - so he has to maximize his earnings NOW. In looking out for himself, he has to take the best offer. Never mind that the Mets have a snowball's chance in hell of winning next year.
"If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen."
This season ticket holder bids a fond adieu to Mr. Martinez, and gives a hearty chuckle at the Mets' latest oncoming disaster.
Yes, because $130+ million just isn't what it used to be.
I moved to Boston last summer, directly from New York, and I grew up in Philly, so I've gotten to see the reactions of three of the most sports-crazy cities first hand. There is definitely something unusual about the Boston fans. They are amazingly intense -- obsessive -- about sports, I think even more so than in NY or Philly. The odd thing is, they seem to be simultaneously both the most-knowledgable and the most irrational of fans. They know their stuff, and they REALLY care, but they do seem to turn completely against one of their own who leaves here. I don't mean the sportswriters, I mean the fans. I could not believe the way they ripped Nomar after he left, and just bring up Clemens's name if you want a reaction. I did not detect anything close to this among Yankees fans, who could have certainly felt jilted about Clemens's alleged "retirement" and subsequent return. Likewise when Andy Pettitte left, the fans just missed him, they did not start blasting him. As for the Philly fans -- well, as long as they have something to boo, they're pretty happy. Baseball is clearly number two in Philly, while in Boston it seems to be number one (lots more Sox talk than Pats, even though both are champs and it's football season.) In New York, I think it depends on who is winning. The two Boston athletes I never hear criticized are Bobby Orr and Yaz. Of course, I wasn't here when they were playing.
The only ex-Mariner Seattle fans deride is A-Rod. We thought he was flat-out lying that there was anything the Mariners could have done to keep him; all he cared about was the money. Randy Johnson still gets an ovation when he returns to Seattle, as does Gary Payton in basketball.
The Boston media treats their players like they would their girlfriend. They're fine when they're 'puttin out' but when they leave it's slander time.
The bad news is that the Cubs will have to face this pitcher much more often, now that he's gone to the Mets!
I disagree.
When Mussina left the O's to go to the Yankees, in general, the tone was resignation, not like what we've seen come out of Boston over the last 2 days.
It's not just the *local* scribes, sportswriters from all over are calling this a VERY bad move for Pedro (as well as for the Mets, incidentally). Pedro, had he remained in Boston for just a touch less dough, would have been a god, revered for all time. All of that prima donna BS would be forever forgotten. It might be for the most part, but fans want a Barry Larkin, a Cal Ripken, someone who they don't feel is a hired gun. Be loyal to us - we'll be loyal to you.
And the "best offer" isn't necessarily the one for the most money. Cf. Alex Rodriguez to the Rangers, Giambi to the Yankees.
Hey... Just be glad you all aren't Kansas City Royals fans. I have to watch every player who comes through develop into an all-star only to be yanked up by the highest bidder. Nothing like having a AAA team to root for every year.
It's not like Pedro spent his entire career with the Sox where you might anticipate the kind of loyalty one encounters with class acts such as Cal Ripken, who definitely earned far less in his career than he could have if he'd have left the O's.
"I don't think you read the Boston sports pages much. They have not been kind to Mo, or Nomar, and especially Roger..."
Yeah but now Pedro gets to face the NY ink...and down there, the sports writers' ink is venom. While I wish Pedro well & look forward to taking in some Mets games, it's always sad to say adios to yet another Hall of Famer. Ah well, spring training is just around the corner. The wife found a pair of tix on the net for opening day. $1500!! *cough*
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