Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

[nmycon]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

i went the the Canada VS USA game at the Rogers Center (born & live in Toronto) and the stadium was packed!

upwards of 45 000 they said and the Rogers Center only seats 50 000

and there were about 3000 seats that were blocked by banners!

of the 40+ jays games i've been to, i've never seen it that full

apparently its like that at the home opener its like that, well im going to the home opener this year against the Tigers, so i'll find out!

[wwharton]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

lol We're just going in circles at this point. You say you have no reason to care. Others (like Youk's comments) are saying you don't care and it's disappointing that you don't care.

Where is the argument, really?

The argument is that Youkalis isn't just saying he's disappointed fans don't care, he's saying we SHOULD care and aren't really baseball fans and/or patriots if we don't. That's a crock.

[Pared]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Well, IMO you should care. You're an American? You enjoy baseball? You don't care that your team gets spanked? You don't care about an amazing comeback against a Puerto Rican team that embarrassed the American's 2 nights prior?

Hell, people don't even care it is going on. What is it going to take to get you to care? Winning?

If you don't care, what would you call it? Indifference?

[SoxFan01605]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

The argument is that Youkalis isn't just saying he's disappointed fans don't care, he's saying we SHOULD care and aren't really baseball fans and/or patriots if we don't. That's a crock.

That's twisting things quite a bit...lol. He said he was disappointed in the turnouts and specualted that it may be because we don't have the same pride in this as the other involved countries. You know what, he's not too far off. Many admit to not caring as much for the classic.

He may be off on specifics, but I think the trouble is that the general notion hits a bit closer to home than people would care to admit. EVERYONE is a patriot when it's called into question...lol. I think this is at least as much people's perception of Youkilis, coupled with the timing of the comments as it is what he said.

What did he say that was so outrageous? He wants to see more support, feels we have less pride, says he gets pumped up in front of larger crowds, doesn't want to feel like an away team at home, etc. This is nothing plenty of analysts haven't specualted already.

[wwharton]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Well, IMO you should care. You're an American? You enjoy baseball? You don't care that your team gets spanked? You don't care about an amazing comeback against a Puerto Rican team that embarrassed the American's 2 nights prior?

Hell, people don't even care it is going on. What is it going to take to get you to care? Winning?

If you don't care, what would you call it? Indifference?

In your opinion, I should care? Why, you don't even know me? My team didn't get spanked. I watched the entire PR game and almost every other US game this year. I'm still not all that excited, and it'd be silly to think that watching the US games is really showing support for the WBC. If you're not watching PR, Korea, Japan, etc. then it's failing no matter how "patriotic" the US fans may or may not be.

And no, I'm not going to all of a sudden get excited if the US is winning. That would require caring more about the WBC as a whole and that's the bigger problem. It's not the Olympics or the World Cup. If they just threw something similar together for football or basketball (especially during their preseasons) I wouldn't be planning any road trips or big parties for those games either.

Indifference is exactly what I'd call it.

That's twisting things quite a bit...lol. He said he was disappointed in the turnouts and specualted that it may be because we don't have the same pride in this as the other involved countries. You know what, he's not too far off. Many admit to not caring as much for the classic.

He may be off on specifics, but I think the trouble is that the general notion hits a bit closer to home than people would care to admit. EVERYONE is a patriot when it's called into question...lol. I think this is at least as much people's perception of Youkilis, coupled with the timing of the comments as it is what he said.

What did he say that was so outrageous? He wants to see more support, feels we have less pride, says he gets pumped up in front of larger crowds, doesn't want to feel like an away team at home, etc. This is nothing plenty of analysts haven't specualted already.

I have no perception of Youkilis. I just think it was a pretty dumb thing to say. I'm not outraged, just disagree. Do we have as much pride in the US WBC team as other countries. No, we don't. Doesn't mean we don't have pride in our country or even our country's baseball players. The WBC hasn't gained the respect to be any kind of measure of pride. If I have any problem at all with Youkilis, it's that the comments are directed more at the fans when it's clearly more an issue with the WBC itself. Chipper's comments were more outrageous (with the attack on Toronto) but directed in the right place, imo. The WBC sites are purposely places that will draw an international crowd in the States. And the fact that the WBC coincides with Spring Training, all other countries will naturally gain more interest from the fans AND the players.

[Scottdau]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Well, IMO you should care. You're an American? You enjoy baseball? You don't care that your team gets spanked? You don't care about an amazing comeback against a Puerto Rican team that embarrassed the American's 2 nights prior?

Hell, people don't even care it is going on. What is it going to take to get you to care? Winning?

If you don't care, what would you call it? Indifference?

Until my team cares I will still be the same way. I don't care! When I see the best players from the Majors caring then I will care. I would care a lot more when players care. I know if the players care and you can tell they care I would be all over this.

[JBH3]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

The WBC is Valentine's Day.

Something created by suits to bring in revenue during a stale timeperiod i.e. February or Spring Training.

For us married folk ... If we don't get our wives something for Valentine's day does it mean we don't love them?

No.

If it anything it means we're a jerk, or like me celebrated our anniversary the week before .

The WBC can be looked at in the same light.

If we don't "support" the WBC in terms of going to a game or something of that nature its not like we don't still love our team, the sport, and its players.

We just don't care about the WBC, it doesn't mean we don't have pride in Team USA. We just don't care, or have no interest in a tournament created to generate revenue while trying to lay claim to some international sporting event like the World Cup.

My problem w/ Mr. Youkilis was the timing of his comments. IMO nothing gets stated about any lack of support, if Team USA isn't mercy ruled a couple of days prior.

To me it seams like he was trying to deflect some of this stuff from him, TEAM USA, and onto the fans.

[ehh]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Pretty much agree with what everyone else said.

When a USA elimination game can only be seen on MLBTV then it's obviously not important. Plus you have it in Florida and smack in the middle of March Madness?

Hell, they could hold it at Yankee Stadium and I wouldn't care. The entire WBC is a stupid idea IMO. I will never watch a WBC game, ever.

[Pared]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

In your opinion, I should care? Why, you don't even know me? My team didn't get spanked. I watched the entire PR game and almost every other US game this year. I'm still not all that excited, and it'd be silly to think that watching the US games is really showing support for the WBC. If you're not watching PR, Korea, Japan, etc. then it's failing no matter how "patriotic" the US fans may or may not be.

And no, I'm not going to all of a sudden get excited if the US is winning. That would require caring more about the WBC as a whole and that's the bigger problem. It's not the Olympics or the World Cup. If they just threw something similar together for football or basketball (especially during their preseasons) I wouldn't be planning any road trips or big parties for those games either.

Indifference is exactly what I'd call it.



I have no perception of Youkilis. I just think it was a pretty dumb thing to say. I'm not outraged, just disagree. Do we have as much pride in the US WBC team as other countries. No, we don't. Doesn't mean we don't have pride in our country or even our country's baseball players. The WBC hasn't gained the respect to be any kind of measure of pride. If I have any problem at all with Youkilis, it's that the comments are directed more at the fans when it's clearly more an issue with the WBC itself. Chipper's comments were more outrageous (with the attack on Toronto) but directed in the right place, imo. The WBC sites are purposely places that will draw an international crowd in the States. And the fact that the WBC coincides with Spring Training, all other countries will naturally gain more interest from the fans AND the players.

It's fair enough that you disagree... but that doesn't mean people can act like Youk's opinion isn't hitting home...

Soxfan put it best... most American's become patriotic when their pride is called into question. I don't take offense to that statement... it's actually pretty true.

We could get into an entirely new discussion about that but that is beyond what is allowed here at OS.

[baseball66]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

For this World Classic to be successful MLB needs to take 2-3 weeks in July every four years (cancel all-star game), start the season a week early end it a week later. The NHL does this every 4 years for the Olympics, i sure can't see why MLB can't do likewise. Then there are no excuses for these prima donas about risking injury as they will all be in shape and ready to go.

[Pared]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

I would absolutely hate for this to be in the middle of the MLB season, personally.

[wwharton]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

It's fair enough that you disagree... but that doesn't mean people can act like Youk's opinion isn't hitting home...

Soxfan put it best... most American's become patriotic when their pride is called into question. I don't take offense to that statement... it's actually pretty true.

We could get into an entirely new discussion about that but that is beyond what is allowed here at OS.

Not only is it fair for me to say I disagree, it's also fair for me to say nothing is "hitting home". You don't know me. For some reason it's hard for you to handle the idea that you can't analyze what every person is thinking. If that statement is true for you, so be it, but don't assume it is for me or anyone else. I take more offense to you and others trying to tell me what I'm thinking than Youkilis' comment. I really don't care what he said... it's good for discussion. It was a dumb think for Youkilis to say... even if it were true, which it's not. It's never a good idea for any athlete to point fingers at fans.

But the only people that are in any kind of "outrage" are the ones trying to convince everyone else that they should care and telling people they're mad bc their pride and patriotism has been challenged. Most of those people (like me) really just don't care.

We can disagree on a lot, but there's no way you're going to convince me that I really care when I know I don't. You said it before... I'm indifferent. Doesn't make me any less of a fan of my team (which is the Orioles, not the WBC US team), my favorite players or American players overall. It makes me not a fan of the WBC which I'll happily admit. I don't hate it but it means about as much as the All Star game as far as I'm concerned.

[Pared]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Nothing is "hitting home" for you personally... good for you. Doesn't mean Youk's comments didn't strike a nerve. Just re-read the thread.

Again. what's the real argument here? Considering more people are putting effort into defending themselves than cheering their team on... Youk's comments hit a lot closer to home than some would care to admit... and if it didn't for you, well... again, what's your argument? If you're indifferent, you're indifferent.

No one knows you, like you said... but that doesn't mean someone can't comment on you and still hit close to home. They can also be 110% wrong. Either way, doesn't mean he is wrong.

[JBH3]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

It's fair enough that you disagree... but that doesn't mean people can act like Youk's opinion isn't hitting home...

Soxfan put it best... most American's become patriotic when their pride is called into question. I don't take offense to that statement... it's actually pretty true.

We could get into an entirely new discussion about that but that is beyond what is allowed here at OS.

LOL...My pride could never be "Called in Question" from a baseball game.

That's what is so unnerving about this whole thing too...

Its that all of a sudden I'm un-American if I don't pay for a plane ticket like some Dominicans did to see their team play.

Mr. Youkilis is talking out of his a$$, and throwing around things way too loosely...Where does he get off calling people out on pride? He glazes over the economic hardship, and doesn't even take into account the sports landscape of America at this very moment.

He's talking out his a$$.

Again, w/ no mercy ruling a few nights prior to these statements, and who knows if Youkilis is even SPEAKING to the press much less answering questions.

[CMH]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Youkilis never said that the fans don't have American pride? Why are you guys putting things into his mouth?