Joe Schulman is the author of a new column in the Kansas City Star about becoming a fan of a new baseball team. He has written for ChopTalk, the Atlanta Braves' magazine. Joe is a freelance writer in Atlanta, and he and his wife, Cady, are avid Braves fans.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Monday FeatureSo first things first, I want to say something about the Meche-Matsuzaka comparison.
I didn’t forget about the money spent by the Red Sox to just talk with Matsuzaka. I thought I could make the comparison strictly on what each pitcher is being paid. Looking back, I can’t tell if it was the right decision, but the comments from you guys say the signing money makes the comparison difficult.
But that’s what this blog is, a forum for Royals fans, not just my opinion. I still think Meche will be OK, but he'll have to have a great season to be worth $55 million. As for Matsuzaka, he'll need a Cy Young caliber season to prove he deserved more than $100 million total the Red Sox are paying him.
On to today’s feature. There’s a great scene in “Bull Durham” where the manager simplifies baseball into just hitting, catching and throwing. I think being a fan for any team can also be simplified into just a few words.
For us in Atlanta, those words would be, “Disappointing. Here come the playoffs. There go the playoffs.”
Now that I'm also a Royals fan too, I was curious how you guys felt about your team in 10 words or less. Here are some of the best ones I received:
Mike B. looked at some of the team's greats in his list.
1. Kauffman
2. 5 (George Brett's number)
3. 20 (Frank White's number)
4. Sabes (Saberhagen)
5. Howser
6. Bo
7. pine-tar
8. fountains
9. disappointment
10. hope
Bob S. also went for history with his words on being a Royals fan. “Dane Orge...Jim Sundberg...Darrel Porter...SAFE...Royals Win!!!”
Michael M. said, “Loyalty. Euphoria in 1985! Expectations. Doubts. Frustration. Embarrassment. Believe. Excitement!"
Cooper S. went over the 10-word limit just a bit, but it was worth it with these three gems.
“Watching SNL: you hope it'll regain form, but it never does.”
“Trying to play $5 black jack at the $100 table.”
“Being married to an addict: you keep giving them chances and they keep disappointing you.”
Dave P.’s gave his feelings as a Royals fan in just a six letters. “Lonely.”
In Bryan T’s mind(and in the minds of most Royals fans), each season is pretty much the same as the one before it. “A new season brings hope, then heartbreak.”
And finally from Christopher T...“For better or worse; my team.”
So now, just about a month into following the team, I give you my feelings in 10 words or less on being a Royals fan.
“New here, but never leaving. Is it April yet?”
Next week: A look back and a look ahead.
Today's question: The Winter Meetings are over. What do you see as the big needs for the Royals with spring training less than two months away? Leave your thoughts in the comments or on the message board.