The negativity

with a few points. I have only been here this year, so I have no clue of what happened before here.
But I believe being a fan is supporting a team till the end, even if things look bleack.

2004, Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season (with Stewart O’Nan), Scribner
Doom and gloom along with regional pride is an integral part of New England culture – it manifested itself in the fanbase.
"They killed our fathers and now the sons of bitches are coming after us."
—Anonymous Sox fan after the 1978 playoff game loss to the Yankees.

Even when the diehards are bitching they are still cheering! Give ’em a break it is inherited.

When you see things like walk off home runs and crippling strikeouts, it’s a lot easier to say “That guy sucks. I knew he was going to do that” than to actually feel the pain. I honestly believe it’s not about feeling superior (in most cases with some very noticeable exceptions) but rather about dealing with a disappointing season.

/fixed

Even before the game starts, some people are bad-mouthing Terry Francona because they’re morons.

  I saw this in Game 2 of TB-Sox series this saturday. It isn’t that people should be upset, because every game in the series was pretty much do or die for the Sox, it is that their conclusion that everything is Tito’s fault when things go wrong, is just emotion. I got into plenty of insult contests, because I was defending Tito. It isn’t that Tito doesn’t make mistakes, but I think he has helped Sox Fans give them the holy grail, 2 world series championships. It is like Ortiz in his slumps, it is frustrating as hell, but he was given lots of slack.

  Tito should be fired, or no longer offered a contract when doesn’t have the respect of the clubhouse or lost any influence with the front office. Brad Mills isn’t looking like the super genius at Houston, now as he did when he was Bench Coach for the Sox, for example.

  It is also easier to second guess a decision after the fact. If the decision turned out to be the right one, then who is the genius? Tito or the player given the command?

and I think this place has been a little too negative, which isn’t good. But also, with the way the year has gone, people have the right to be negative. We had Hermida, Cash, and Patterson playing every day for a while. I’m not sure there’s any way that a positive spin could be put on that. Even if the regulars are not performing. That’s not OK, and it shouldn’t be all sunshine and rainbows. And if you don’t like that, then that’s too bad. However, as I said before, the community as a whole may have been overly negative this year, but this has been an extremely negative season for the Red Sox. I think the main problem has been the fighting between members and name calling. The season and the negativity of some may have fueled this, but it’s been a little out of control.

It doesn’t mean they aren’t good fans. It’s just their nature.

by the juvenile profanity and homophobia. I find it classless. And worse than that, really lame. I’m no prude and in my day to day life walking around the house I swear like a dockworker.

But I find it crude and I find it beneath us. OTM tries to position itself as an intelligent sports blog and then when you get into the gametreads you get wonderful gems like:

“Let’s see if [currently disliked player] can get on base rather than [crudely worded homosexual activity], like he usually does.”

It’s pathetic. I know, instead of A.J. Burnett…let’s call him Gay J. Burnett! Because it rhymes!! Wow. You’re a friggin’ poet.

I never used to go into the game threads because I found i was distracted from the game itself (not a strong multi-tasker, I guess). But then I joined a handful and they were pretty fun. There seemed to be a neat balance of Sox fans. But…that time is over.

that a lot of other people have been feeling the same way. I’’m not imagining this.

This article hits home for me. I am particular leery of veiled censorship attempts and others claiming to warn us of the dangers of open criticism while using broad labels of negative, not mature and making the site less appealing to make his point. Just because this blogger would like to avoid negativity and tell the teacher when some are not playing by his own set of rules does not mean it is best for this site. He has his opinion on the matter – noted by this community of bloggers. What is his intent in writing this article? Is it behavior modification to make others conform to his paradigms and comfort levels? Or, is he just complaining about others and feeling better about himself in the process? I do not know?

I do not often get to post on the game threads; however, when I do, I enjoy talking baseball and learning a little something. I judge the blog on the articles and insights not the banter on a live thread (most of the time I ignore it, sometimes I get caught up in it, other times I am annoyed by it). I also have some good discussions on game threads about topics that are not baseball related and I find that enjoyable but it probably drives others a little mad since they want to talk baseball..

Anyway, this is my favorite Red Sox site. Also, I think the language, negativity, etc. is because guys are watching the game and sharing the experience. Even intelligent and refined folks cuss at the TV and chew out the manager, player, ump, etc. I think it is part of being a fan. I see those rants for what they are – a fan venting with his friends about the game. I do not think it harms this site. The articles and fan posts are the meat and potatoes – the live thread is good entertainment while the game is on. I think people are comfortable enough to let their hair down a little and relax while watching a game and chatting with other fans.

IMO, I think to read too much into it may lead to a conclusion regarding this blog that is not accurate. A live game thread surrounding a game in progress is a snapshot in time of an emotion regarding the game by any given fan – for better or for worse. I see it as a normal interaction of an internet community sharing their experiences and connecting in cyberspace – the chartroom becomes the living room or the neighborhood bar.

Let us assume for a minute OTM changes the live game threads since some are vocal saying they perceive it as losing site appeal. This leads to many questions on how to change the site. (I am not claiming to have the answers to all the questions but the questions need to be asked):
1. Does negativity really drag down the appeal of the site? I mean, how is that measured? What criteria determine that sweeping generalization? Is there a metric for this that is not subjective or based upon how a person feels in their gut?
2. How would the editors change this? How would they write the rules down and not kill the site?
3. Will they have a built in filter that deletes sewer filth along with sexual connotations?
4. Will they ban members for posting something that does not meet screening criteria?
5. Will any disparaging remarks be deleted/banned?
6. Who determines what is acceptable and unacceptable? For instance, will criticizing the manager be off limits since it is too negative? What else will be off limits?
7. Does it really matter if a few bloggers get their feelings hurt or their morality and sensibilities offended on a live game thread? I mean really? Who will act as the morality police?
8. Does a good old Donnybrook add to the appeal of the site and not take it away contrary to the opinion of the blogger who wrote this article?
9. Is this article negative because the blogger is complaining about other bloggers? So, if this article degrades the appeal of the site should it be edited too? I mean, ‘Why can’t we all just get along’..and agree? Where is the line drawn?
10. Just because a few fans think the appeal of the site is diminished by the behavior on the game thread – how many feel it is enhanced because they are sharing with friends and connect in an internet community?

I have never been in an organization from baseball to church to the US Army where we all agree and get along. I think we treat others they way we would want to be treated and if we sense some are crossing a line then make your point known. Let the community decide what is acceptable on this blog site during a game thread by making their points known…afterall, everyone who posts here can reason on their own and draw their own conclusions. As Voltaire once wrote, “Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.” And, with that said, you have the right to post what you are thinking – even if I disagree with your conclusions.

“The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion. " ~Henry Steele Commager

“I am thankful for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.” ~Nancie J. Carmody

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. " ~Voltaire

It’s a little silly to try to spin this as censorship.

I am not trying to spin anything. My point is that if you stiffle the live game thread dialogue then you will have censorship; and, if people brake the rules than the possibility exists of a ban. (What can I say, I like Voltaire.) No overdrama there – I love free speech – even speech I do not agree with.

Does he call for censorship directly? No. Is his essay is a call to change the nature of the threads because he does not like it.? Yes.
Is that not a veiled attempt to censor and change behavior by calling it immature, negative and dragging down the appeal? I say yes you say no.

just have to wonder: why the negativity? Do people feel smarter if they predict bad things will happen, and then they do happen?

To try to spin this as some sort of slippery slope towards dystopian rule is ridiculous, frankly. Morality Police, even.

Again, I am not trying to spin anything. So the blogger complains about complaining and a few others chime in that they are dissatisfied also. I am trying to demonstrate the challenges of policing tor trying to moderate/modify behavior on this website. I understand the Code of Conduct (believe me I understand); however, my point is how will it be enforced and who will decide what is normative for this site? This is a fan blog not church or the workplace. Personally, I do not like the complaining; so, I skip over those threads and engage in conversation. Bitching is part of humanity.

“This is his point. Is this "good entertainment"? Or is it a bunch of children complaining? Depends on your point of view, I guess.”

That comment reinforces my whole point – please advise me on what is good, who decides it and then how and who enforces the standard?

Who enforces it?

What is good?

That is dependent on the view these people have for the site balanced with the feedback they get from the frequenters of the site, the number of hits on the site, attendance and activity in the gamethreads, reputation in the blogosphere and no doubt other factors. It is up to these people, and perhaps the owners of the SBNation family of sports blogs, to decide “what is good”.

“What is good” for Over The Monster is not the same as what it is for Halo Heaven is not the same as what it is for Silver Seven Sens.

Consider yourself “advised”.

To call this post a “veiled attempt to censor” is, I’ll say it again, silly. This is a review. It is a review on a product. I used to drive Chryslers but I won’t buy them any more because the head rests drive me crazy. That type of thing.

There is no call to drive people out of the gamethreads. AT. ALL. But here’s what some are feeling, people-in-charge. Just so you know.

If they are cool with that, that’s fine, but if they are wondering why you don’t see RickD in the game threads anymore, that’s why. If there are others conspicuous by their absence…maybe that’s why, too.

I’m a die hard Red Sox fan. And yes, I’ve given up on the Red Sox making it to the playoffs. It would take a miracle of Biblical proportions for that to happen. I would still go ahead and call this a successful season though. Here’s why:

I’m not about to say Tito is the greatest manager in major league history. BUT…. and this is the thing that a lot of Boston fans seem to be overlooking. The Red Sox have the third best record int he entire American League. We have managed that DESPITE the entire crapload of injuries that we’ve had this year. It’s been an INSANE number of injuries, and some have hurt more than others. Losing Pedroia and Youk for the season HURTS no matter what anyone says. BUT. With a host of minor leaguers, we have managed to put together a season that, in any other division in baseball, would guarantee a playoff berth.

We just happen to be in the absolute toughest division in baseball.

Ttio has had an incredible challenge in fielding a quality team every single game despite not having our best players available for a lot of the season. Has he done everything right? Clearly not. No one does. But I think that he should be commended for being able to lead this team of misfits and players that aren’t quite read for full time service in the major leagues to a very respectable record.

In addition, we’re getting to see what some of these players can do. Lester and Buchholz have really come into their own this season. In fact, with the season he’s having, I expect Buchholz to get some votes for the Cy Young award. Sure, Lackey hasn’t exactly been as dominant as we might have liked, but as we all know, sometimes it does take a little to get acclimated to pitching at Fenway Park full time. It’s a quirky ballpark. But we’ve gotten from him exactly what we should have gotten from a number 3 starter. We’ve managed to get a bunch of wins from him. They haven’t been pretty. They haven’t been sexy. But they’ve been WINS.

Daniel Nava and Darnell McDonald have been impressive, although both of their offenses have dropped off. They’ve both had very timely hits though and both have been heroes.

Daniel Bard has been phenomenal. Is he the closer of the future? Maybe. But for now he’s a lights out setup man. He’s got filthy stuff.

And yes, we’ve had a lack of production from some guys. Lowell’s offense has dropped off considerably, but he’s still got some clutch hitting and has, at points this season, been critical to have.

No, this ball club isn’t sexy, but it’s still damn good. We just have the bad luck to be in the one division that will probably keep us out of the record even with our excellent record.

I’m sure that others would disagree, but facts are facts. We’ve got the third best record in the entire AL That’s got to say a lot about the players that they have been able to field and the manager that’s put those players out on the field day in and day out.

Completely on point. Nice job, RickD.