Reds Fans Feel Betrayed

The Cincinnati fanbase felt they have been attacked…by one of its own, no less.

And they’re mad as hell. Doesn’t help that a St. Louis Cardinals “writer” added his tweets and a SF guy chimed in as well. That only added fuel to this fire.

CBS Sports’ C. Trent Rosecrans, and in case you’re unfamiliar with Rosecrans, he is from the Cincy area, lit the fire with his portrayal of Cincinnati fans as a city of sports fans that awaits and expects failure from its professional sports franchises. He cites that the recent history of the Reds and Bengals as the causes for such an effect. That history is correct. No denying such.

The rage from within Cincy’s fanbase stems, in part, from the headline of the Rosecrans piece: “Sensing another heartbreak, Cincy fans already bailing out on Reds“. This may be partially due to the exodus of fans during yesterday’s 8-3 loss. Another could be the fact that this does actually happen.

But that happens with practically every fanbase regardless of it being a playoff game or not. Notice, I did not say “all”. Remember that for two reasons.

I do think C. Trent is right on base here…

"“This is a city where even a 2-1 series lead is seen as an insurmountable deficit, so after the Giants tied the NLDS with an 8-3 victory on Wednesday, Southwest Ohio was in mourning for the 2012 season.”"

After the Game 3 loss, you would have thought the Mayans were only a little off with their calendar. Sure, the events which led to the defeat were uncharacteristic and, on the same hand, somewhat devastating to some. The “here we go again” mentality kicked in for a few. Tweets from some Reds fans spoke of doom and gloom. I, too, was frustrated at first in reading these reactions, then I realized something. This behavior occurs after every Reds loss.

Surely you’ve read or heard it somewhere. Fire Dusty. Stubbs needs to be benched. Leake sucks. Dump Valdez. Where the hell is Heisey?

But do those comments represent the entire fanbase? They’re on the internet, so they must, right?

(Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE)

Call some Reds fans passive, and to an extent, I do agree. Go to any Reds or Bengals game and I guarantee you will find some fans that do not prefer to stand and cheer on every pass, every pitch, every tackle, every swing of the bat. They would much rather sit, enjoy the surroundings and soak in the atmosphere rather than partake in its activities. Does this mean they’re not a fan? It doesn’t.

And that discussion has taken place here before. Some fans display their fandom in a manner different from you. There’s not a thing wrong with that. I would sincerely hope that if you’re attending a playoff game that the bug would bite you though.

Call them overbearing, and I will grant you that is true as well. Just not for the entire fanbase.

Side note here…

Something that just doesn’t sit well with me is that I saw a tweet after Game 3 (maybe I spend too much time on Twitter) where some fans were actually chastised by GABP ushers and security for standing and cheering. If this is the case, then why would any stark raving mad Reds fans go to any game at GABP? You want a playoff atmosphere at that park? Let the fans create it. Bunting and painted logos on the field do not.

I go back to when the Reds won Game 6 of the 1990 NLCS. During the game, one of the fans had smuggled a bugle into the game. He was blowing the “CHARGE” refrain (rather poorly, I might add) when an usher came and confiscated the instrument. This fan, realizing he was only a few rows from Marge Schott, proceeded to inquire Marge of the move. Schott retrieved the bugle and presented it back to the guy. In the process, both received a standing ovation.

I repeat.  The fans create the atmosphere.

Back to business…

After reading Rosecrans piece, I remembered listening to Dan Patrick yesterday. A discussion arose from the incident involving Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel. Some in attendance were cheering the fact Cassel was knocked out of the game, possibly concussed, due to a hit. You cannot put all Chiefs fans under that umbrella. Some were cheering, not all. It is unfair, but at the same time, almost unavoidable.

And that similar painting is what has created the rage among Reds fans which, this morning and early afternoon, has now built up into a blind fury. Those fans feel that being painted with that proverbial “broadbrush” has those outside of Cincinnati viewing them in a manner that is none too flattering. With the brush comes “guilty by association”. Whether you realize it or not, it is part of the territory. Some react in a certain manner, therefore, all must be of the same ilk.

Certain fans love to pile on, ya know.

Here’s a few facts…

1. Every fanbase has fair weather fans. If the team is playing well, they will claim to be a huge and long time fan.  When they are losing, they claim to not have rooted for said team for years.
2. There will always be bandwagon fans especially if your team has performed well in its current season.  The woodwork will explode! They are different from the fair weather fan in that these “fans” previously “rooted” for another team.
3. The “loudest” fans (online, in the stands) will be the ones on which the entire fanbase of your favorite team is judged, regardless of their validity.  Yes, this is the “guilty by association” rule.

Sure, bring up how the A’s fans aided in lighting a fire under the belly of their team. Being on the brink of elimination can have positive effects. My hope is that same, exact passion will be displayed today at GABP crowd today.  Well, if that tweet I referred to above is true, I hope they’re permitted to display that passion.

As a Reds fan, I’ve seen the good (the Big Red Machine era) and the bad (the 101 loss team of 1982). Extremes? You betcha.  Call me a spoiled Reds fan and I will gladly wear that badge.

You know something.  Now that I think about it. This could have been avoided and not created quite the firestorm it has. Not sure if Rosecrans is responsible for the headline, but merely inserting the word “some” before “Reds fans” would have limited some of the lambasting which has unfolded. Not all Reds fans have or ever will turn their collective backs on this franchise. On that note, I am sure.  On that , I am truly confident.

Oh, and saying if you want pageviews, you don’t go after baseball’s smallest market…

Being a Cincy guy, C. Trent, you know all too well that the St Louis folk are at home, drinking their cup of joe and laughing their bums off as they read your latest.