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JohnU
Aristocratic Hoosier
Fan apathy is basically people who have chosen to believe that going to see a ballgame is a waste of time because the team isn't going to win anything. Considering the Reds have 5 W.S. titles in the entire history of the franchise, it's somewhat odd that the Reds media experts have come to that.Lance McAlister followed the Reds Hot Stove show last night discussing whether the Reds had reached the point where there's fan apathy. (Lack of interest)
Any thoughts?
I think there's less a sense of apathy than one of resignation that the Reds are going to suck a little more than we want, a little less maybe than we expect but, living here in the footprint of the Chicago teams, I have listened to louder whines for a longer time ... only now the Cubs fans are cockier than a barnyard full of roosters. I won't discuss the White Sox. It defies conversation.
McAlister probably would like to make us believe there is apathy because he has deemed it likely that there is some -- they were the ones selling the "rebuild story" and wondering a year ago why the fans were riled up because the team didn't play well. "Well," they said, "what do you EXPECT with a rebuild?"
This is probably a longer answer than is useful but the Reds have had a long history of finishing in the 2nd division. We love to recall the BRM years as if they were stuck to the wall forever. A very large percentage of fans weren't even born when those teams played and many who were aren't likely to remember much about it unless they keep getting it drilled into their heads.
So everyone who is over 50 loves to compare those guys with the team we see today. This is a standard Reds team from any year in the 21st century, 2010-12-13 aside ... and for most of my life, finishing 4th was always considered a moral victory. The 2012 story is probably the one that bites into our craw since it was clearly a serious contender. The window slammed on our fingers and we still have the bandages on. That's important to remember because the crash came quickly. Very quickly. Nobody was ready for the long fall, let alone the sudden thud.
Apathy? Nah ... that's what they do in Denver. Frustration? That's what they did in Cubs country for 108 years. Disappointment? That's what Nationals fans do.
Reds fans are just ... Reds fans. Not arrogant like the heathens in St. Louis or San Francisco. Just fans. It's our team. I don't think the core base will ever be apathetic. We will give a shit. We always have.