Quote:
Originally Posted by BishopMVP
That the Cardinals have a unique fanbase in their level of sanctimoniousness (is that a word?) The article I posted that helped jump-start this discussion basically reads like parody. Even if the reasons other people have for hating them are misguided (and 90% of sports-based ones are), there simply isn't any other fan base I can think of that would have such a hard time comprehending A) that some people do hate them B) how those people could possibly hate the Cardinals and then C) try to tell people they really should be rooting for them (not even just agnostic, but actively rooting for the Cardinals against other teams.)
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I think that the Cards fans had a pretty lean late 80s and 90s. From 1988 until 2000, they made the playoffs once. Then, starting in 04, they make 3 World Series and win 2 of them. Add in the other deep playoff runs and you end up being a bit of a national villain for having that much success. I don't think a lot of Cards fans were ready for that and feel a little jilted for now being hated.
St. Louis isn't like Boston where you have this history of success across franchises. The Blues have been "blah" for as long as I've rooted for them and the Rams had that little window but quickly went back to being irrelevant and weren't really a St. Louis team to start. The Cardinals are really the main team of the town and when people started hating, some people take it personally. I think the Spurs were kind of the same way after Duncan started his run and you could even argue the Packers have this to a certain extent. When you are in a smaller market without numerous winning teams, win with scouting/drafting and not signing bigname FAs, feel you've attained success the "right way", you don't understand why people hate you. People in Boston, New York, Philly and even LA have been through this with the Lakers/Celtics/Phillies/Yankees/Pats and can brush it off.
I'm sure there was some dislike back in the 1980s when they won with "whitey ball", but there wasn't the internet/twitter/facebook where people could really see the national anger. Plus, I think it was a different time where sports really were super local. This is really the first time a St. Louis team has had this level of sustained success in the internet era and I think the response (esp the hatred) is jarring for a lot of St. Louis fans. As time passes, they will get over it (esp if they keep winning).