Bruce Drennan Driven Insane by Indians

[GP1]

See for yourself.....

[cornbread]

See for yourself.....

That was funny... I really miss the good Indians too. This team sucks.

I hate seeing what this team could have been. It seems like every 4-5 good players out there on other teams have Cleveland ties.

[zipseuph]

I love good ole Bruce! he just sums up what all cleveland fans think. I just wonder what he would have to say about the eric howard situation.

[Dr Z]

A fan can only be pushed so far. The Cliff Lee trade pushed me over the edge. I haven't been to a game or watched a game since. Wake me up after a good strike that enables small market teams to field a team that can compete with large market teams. The NHL fixed their league, now it's time for the MLB to do the same.

PS Funny video, but that isn't my definition of "insane." I think that is a sane man's reaction to having to cover that "team"

[zip37]

My two favorite teams are Pirates & Indians! What to do?

[GP1]

PS Funny video, but that isn't my definition of "insane." I think that is a sane man's reaction to having to cover that "team"

True. It does take a sane man to express his frustration in such a clear and thought out manner.

MBL won't change a thing about what they are doing. Their attendance and ratings are up over the past few years. People go to games regardless of how bad their team is. For example, the Pirates are near sell-outs for every fireworks night this year and they are a Class AAA team poised add another year to the consecutive losing season record they now hold. The key to marketing bad sports teams is pre-season sales. If you are waiting for in season sales and your team sucks, you are in big trouble. Until people stop going to games, this won't change. Want to make MLB better? Reduce the number of teams by about 6 and the league will be better.

[cornbread]

My two favorite teams are Pirates & Indians! What to do?

You enjoy pain

[Dr Z]

Their attendance and ratings are up over the past few years. People go to games regardless of how bad their team is. For example, the Pirates are near sell-outs for every fireworks night this year and they are a Class AAA team poised add another year to the consecutive losing season record they now hold.

Pittsburgh baseball fans are known for showing up for their giveaways. Yinzers love their giveaways. Too bad they don't show up in between. There are only three teams worse than them for home attendance this year. Guess who is dead last in the league?

19 of the 30 teams attendance is down this year.

Selig says attendance is flat with last year

Last year at all star break attendance was down 5.5% over a year

Attendance Down overall in 2009

PD Poll: What would it take to get you back to a Tribe game

PS This is the first (Tribe) opening day I have missed in 19 years. I'm actually thinking of going to the new Cincy park to watch a game this year. I will attend one Pirates game this year. The Pirates have cold called me twice. Send me weekly emails. Send me tons of mail. Their marketing is 10x better than the Indians. Speaking of which, I got a cold call from Akron's ticket office this week asking me questions about the upcoming football season. Joe Sieaforeth (sp?) was his name. He said they just hired him. I told him if he was bored one night to get on ZN and do a search on "ticket office".

Bruce is going to be pretty popular, his link is on SI's Extra Mustard.

[tbozeglav]

Bruce is awesome. I watch him all the time and covers Cleveland sports about as good as anyone can. However, this was not a meltdown by any means. Ive heard FAR worse. For instance, I recall a broadcaster on WTAM 1100 going batsh!t insane over the horrible play of the browns back in the fall of '08. He got to the point where the producers had to forcibly remove him from the studio.

The BETTER example is this guy. He went absolutely BONKERS after Michigan State blew a HUGE lead over Notre Dame a couple of years back. 15 minutes of pure insanity are contained within this link:

MSU Radio Host goes Nuts

[Valpo Zip]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

[cornbread]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

Im still a fan. You have a good point.

I live for years like the 07 season. That was fun. And our division looks winnable. The twins are good but not that good. A mediocre May and a good June puts us back in the mix.

[GP1]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

This is a dead serious question. Why do you spend money going to Zips games? The NCAA is designed for the BCS teams to win.

I support them because I am a fan and I like college football.

[Dr Z]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

This is a dead serious question. Why do you spend money going to Zips games? The NCAA is designed for the BCS teams to win. I support them because I am a fan and I like college football.

One, I'm an alumni and enjoy supporting the team. Two, football is a an exciting sport even if you are losing (check with Browns fans), baseball is not (check with Indians fans). The bottom line is, I'll drive to Buffalo to watch the Zips lose a football game, I won't drive to Cleveland to see an Indians game (2010). Doesn't really matter the reason, that's how I feel. I haven't even watched a full baseball game this year. The MLB has alienated me. This is not coming from a casual baseball fan who just roots for the local team. I have been to 11 different MLB parks to watch games and was a big fan of baseball.

[Spin]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

This is a tired old excuse that carries very little merit. The fact is, Mark Shapiro is incompetent. The team can't draft, overpays for washed up has-beens (the latest, Russell Branyon), and pays big money to sign free agents to platoon (ie Dave Dellucci in 07). The coaching at the major league and AAA level is horrible, year in and year out the Aeros are a threat to win the title. Yet by the time these guys make it to Cleveland, they act like the simplest fundamentals are beyond them.

I don't hear anyone in Tampa Bay whining about the salary disparity. Florida has two rings. Arizona has one, St Louis has one. Colorado went.

It's all just an excuse for an owner who doesn't want to invest in a real management and a real roster who can win, even though this market has proven over and over it will support a winner.

I do support the pro and college teams teams who at least try. Once the football team melted down last season, I was done. I put all of my support on a program that deserved it so much more, the soccer team. I refuse to waste time and money on a circus run by clowns. Now this year, I'll start supporting the "new" football program (and the "new" Browns) unless they prove they don't deserve it.

But the Indians? They're dead to me. It's much more fun right here in Akron at Canal Park.

[zippy_ua_00]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

This is a tired old excuse that carries very little merit. The fact is, Mark Shapiro is incompetent. The team can't draft, overpays for washed up has-beens (the latest, Russell Branyon), and pays big money to sign free agents to platoon (ie Dave Dellucci in 07). The coaching at the major league and AAA level is horrible, year in and year out the Aeros are a threat to win the title. Yet by the time these guys make it to Cleveland, they act like the simplest fundamentals are beyond them.

I don't hear anyone in Tampa Bay whining about the salary disparity. Florida has two rings. Arizona has one, St Louis has one. Colorado went.

It's all just an excuse for an owner who doesn't want to invest in a real management and a real roster who can win, even though this market has proven over and over it will support a winner.

I do support the pro and college teams teams who at least try. Once the football team melted down last season, I was done. I put all of my support on a program that deserved it so much more, the soccer team. I refuse to waste time and money on a circus run by clowns. Now this year, I'll start supporting the football program (and the Browns) unless they prove they don't deserve it.

But the Indians? They're dead to me. It's much more fun right here in Akron at Canal Park.

good points but, although st louis isnt a "large market", it is a HUGE baseball town. In baseball terms it is a large market team.

[cornbread]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

This is a tired old excuse that carries very little merit. The fact is, Mark Shapiro is incompetent. The team can't draft, overpays for washed up has-beens (the latest, Russell Branyon), and pays big money to sign free agents to platoon (ie Dave Dellucci in 07). The coaching at the major league and AAA level is horrible, year in and year out the Aeros are a threat to win the title. Yet by the time these guys make it to Cleveland, they act like the simplest fundamentals are beyond them.

I don't hear anyone in Tampa Bay whining about the salary disparity. Florida has two rings. Arizona has one, St Louis has one. Colorado went.

It's all just an excuse for an owner who doesn't want to invest in a real management and a real roster who can win, even though this market has proven over and over it will support a winner.

I do support the pro and college teams teams who at least try. Once the football team melted down last season, I was done. I put all of my support on a program that deserved it so much more, the soccer team. I refuse to waste time and money on a circus run by clowns. Now this year, I'll start supporting the "new" football program (and the "new" Browns) unless they prove they don't deserve it.

But the Indians? They're dead to me. It's much more fun right here in Akron at Canal Park.

So you are a fair weather fan?

[GP1]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

This is a tired old excuse that carries very little merit. The fact is, Mark Shapiro is incompetent. The team can't draft, overpays for washed up has-beens (the latest, Russell Branyon), and pays big money to sign free agents to platoon (ie Dave Dellucci in 07). The coaching at the major league and AAA level is horrible, year in and year out the Aeros are a threat to win the title. Yet by the time these guys make it to Cleveland, they act like the simplest fundamentals are beyond them.

I don't hear anyone in Tampa Bay whining about the salary disparity. Florida has two rings. Arizona has one, St Louis has one. Colorado went.

It's all just an excuse for an owner who doesn't want to invest in a real management and a real roster who can win, even though this market has proven over and over it will support a winner.

I do support the pro and college teams teams who at least try. Once the football team melted down last season, I was done. I put all of my support on a program that deserved it so much more, the soccer team. I refuse to waste time and money on a circus run by clowns. Now this year, I'll start supporting the "new" football program (and the "new" Browns) unless they prove they don't deserve it.

But the Indians? They're dead to me. It's much more fun right here in Akron at Canal Park.

So you are a fair weather fan?

I wouldn't say Spin is a fair weather fan as much as he is a rationale buyer. At some point, every consumer must look at their purchases and ask about the value they are getting for the money they are spending. Spin has made a decsion the Indians are not worth spending the type of money it takes to go to a MLB game.

Fair weather fans are actually the best type of fans. They expect to see a good product and if they don't see a good product they don't buy. It tells the owner of the company that if they don't improve their product, they will not make money. Spending your money to support a loser encourages the owner to continue with his losing ways.

Let's say you always used one brand of toilet paper. One day, the manufacturer of that tp decided it would be good to include 50% sand into their mix. Would you continue to buy the tp or would you find another way to spend your money? The Indians and Pirates are selling sand laced tp to their fans.

[zipseuph]

I refuse to frustrate my self and waste my money to fund a league that is designed for the richer teams to win every year. The MLB can take all the money in NY and LA, not mine though.

This is a tired old excuse that carries very little merit. The fact is, Mark Shapiro is incompetent. The team can't draft, overpays for washed up has-beens (the latest, Russell Branyon), and pays big money to sign free agents to platoon (ie Dave Dellucci in 07). The coaching at the major league and AAA level is horrible, year in and year out the Aeros are a threat to win the title. Yet by the time these guys make it to Cleveland, they act like the simplest fundamentals are beyond them.

I don't hear anyone in Tampa Bay whining about the salary disparity. Florida has two rings. Arizona has one, St Louis has one. Colorado went.

It's all just an excuse for an owner who doesn't want to invest in a real management and a real roster who can win, even though this market has proven over and over it will support a winner.

I do support the pro and college teams teams who at least try. Once the football team melted down last season, I was done. I put all of my support on a program that deserved it so much more, the soccer team. I refuse to waste time and money on a circus run by clowns. Now this year, I'll start supporting the "new" football program (and the "new" Browns) unless they prove they don't deserve it.

But the Indians? They're dead to me. It's much more fun right here in Akron at Canal Park.

So you are a fair weather fan?

that is one of the most over used statements in sports fan history. I was even called a fair weather fan once for explaining to some guys why our soccer team draws more than our football team. it's like this. if you have a spouse who kicks the crap out of you for eight years but then treats you good for one just to return the next year and start kicking the crap out of you again are you in the wrong for wanting to leave? fact of the matter is there is only so much someone can take and even though I'm still a Cleveland/Akron fan. I can understand why people have been turning there backs on these guys if anything just for the time being.

[Spin]

That does bring up an interesting point.

Just how do you define "FAN"?

Am I a true fan of the US National Team if I have never paid to see them in person? The Italian National Team?

When I was first able to drive, TTed Stepien owned the Cavs. There were nights only 1500 people were at the game. Does that mean those of us 1500 who are still alive are the only "true" Cavs fan? And everyone else is a fair weather bandwagon jumper?

How many games do I have to attend to be a "true" fan? How many innings on the radio or TV? I'm sure everyone has a different answer to that.

Could the guy in the bleachers who bangs on the drum call you a fair weather fan because you have missed X number of games in the past 40 years?

It's all relative.

[zipseuph]

That does bring up an interesting point.

Just how do you define "FAN"?

Am I a true fan of the US National Team if I have never paid to see them in person? The Italian National Team?

When I was first able to drive, TTed Stepien owned the Cavs. There were nights only 1500 people were at the game. Does that mean those of us 1500 who are still alive are the only "true" Cavs fan? And everyone else is a fair weather bandwagon jumper?

How many games do I have to attend to be a "true" fan? How many innings on the radio or TV? I'm sure everyone has a different answer to that.

Could the guy in the bleachers who bangs on the drum call you a fair weather fan because you have missed X number of games in the past 40 years?

It's all relative.

thats a good question. is it a state of mind? a commitment? I think a fair weather fan jumps from team to team depending on whats going on. A fan will stick around through a few bad years but after sometime of no improvement and no sign of hope will stop spending money on the team (maybe check some scores or go to a game when they come across some free tickets during those down times) and then there are the die hards that will support a team and spend money on said team even if they are, well.........

[cornbread]

That does bring up an interesting point.

Just how do you define "FAN"?

Am I a true fan of the US National Team if I have never paid to see them in person? The Italian National Team?

When I was first able to drive, TTed Stepien owned the Cavs. There were nights only 1500 people were at the game. Does that mean those of us 1500 who are still alive are the only "true" Cavs fan? And everyone else is a fair weather bandwagon jumper?

How many games do I have to attend to be a "true" fan? How many innings on the radio or TV? I'm sure everyone has a different answer to that.

Could the guy in the bleachers who bangs on the drum call you a fair weather fan because you have missed X number of games in the past 40 years?

It's all relative.

thats a good question. is it a state of mind? a commitment? I think a fair weather fan jumps from team to team depending on whats going on. A fan will stick around through a few bad years but after sometime of no improvement and no sign of hope will stop spending money on the team (maybe check some scores or go to a game when they come across some free tickets during those down times) and then there are the die hards that will support a team and spend money on said team even if they are, well.........

I like the Tribe even when they suck. I might switch between their game and the news more often though during seasons like these...

I think it is self-aggrandizing to rake management decisions over the coals endlessly, then only to end with, "I am not giving them my money/ not fan anymore."

Being a fan should not be defined by money changing hands or how frequently it happens.

Like them because you have always liked them.

Like them because your dad did.

Like them for the guys they kept around instead of the guys that got let go.

Like them because when they almost win, but find a way to lose, you find a sliver-lining. (Carmona is looking good this year, eh?)

When you guys drone on about "They did this, and they didn't do that, so I am not a fan," it just makes me tune out your rationale.

Why personalize it? You're not a Hafner fan, you're a tribe fan.