John Henry

[Silver Sean]

It's a sack of shit. Everyone I know (in person) who watches it only watches it because they're American wannabie's.

I know plenty of people into NFL and MLB in this country. All middle-aged professionals. Some also love cricket or football. some love rugby, one loves snooker. None as far as I can tell are 'American Wannabees'. If you are a sports fan, anything can become gripping and all-consuming if you get fully involved with it. I have been enthralled by cycling, curling, bowls, darts, skier-cross, ski jumping, Red Bull high diving, etc, etc. It's more about learning the stories, understanding what's actually happening from a dramatic perspective and reaping the rewards of watching and learning for a long time, so you know when something amazing is happening. I'm sure loads of people who hate football just don't have a clue what's going on, historically, tactically, skill-wise.
It's all about time spent learning to appreciate it and perception.
I'm sure I'll NEVER like gymnastics, figure skating or plenty of other sports, but denigrating everyone who likes something you don't seems a bit churlish.

But then I'm obsessed with baseball, so what do I know....

 

[Mystic]

Just me then!

 

[peterhague]

I don't know nothing about baseball except a few things but I do think it's at least charming in a way that American football just isn't. It's an historic game with loads of legendary figures and all that, and pictures of night games at traditional 'ball parks' like Fenway are very evocative. I can't really see the point in making what must be a special effort to follow it from over here, though. For the sports obsessives only, presumably.

 

[Hyena]

I love watching NFL highlights and gifs.
What I can't stand is how the game seems to come to a standstill every few seconds, and how the play is dictated by only one or two people and everyone else does what they're told.

As you can tell. I can't stand baseball.
It's a game for fat people.

 

[Le Chacal]

Seahawks vs 49ers will be a great game for sure...And Superbowl is quite big here with loads of american expats watching the game in our bar.
Cant stand baseball either

 

[Bradley]

I like food so going to baseball games alright by me.

 

[Silver Sean]

I don't know nothing about baseball except a few things but I do think it's at least charming in a way that American football just isn't. It's an historic game with loads of legendary figures and all that, and pictures of night games at traditional 'ball parks' like Fenway are very evocative. I can't really see the point in making what must be a special effort to follow it from over here, though. For the sports obsessives only, presumably.

That's precisely why I AM obsessed with it. It takes effort, time and commitment. It's odd that I got into it around the same time as my old man died (Liverpool and going the game were our thing for nearly 40 years) and football became a bloated mess of Sky Sports, forums, and 'your' BBC. A maelstrom of being 'sold' Bolton versus Ipswich."It's a MASSIVE game!! You must watch! here, look at us! tweet us, let us know what YOU think, you bunch of mouth-breathing proles. Let's form opinions based around the lowest common denominator.

I truly despise what football in this country has become, but at the same time I'm unable to let go.

Anyway, when a T-Shirt arrives from the States after months of having to fuck around, or my Red Sox calendar arrives, or I'm still up at 2.30 am because I just have to see this pitcher get through this inning, it's all worth it. I love it precisely because it is a minority sport over here. In fact, apart from when I meet my other MLB buddys for drink/chat about the game, I am fiercely protective of it. I should really be agreeing with everyone that it is shit, so no one else gets interested.

 

[Silver Sean]

Just me then!

😉

 

[Leo]

So Sean is complaining about football and forums whilst posting on a football forum standing up for a sport that he wants no one to like.
I'm well fucking baffled here.

 

[tombrown]

At least we all know that it is called the World Series as it was sponsored by a company coincidentally called "The World Series of Baseball Incorporated" ... now that was an educational thread and somewhat amusing

 

[walesnj]

But when is he going to mention something about the stadium? Come to think of it, when is anybody going to mention it again……..?

 

[Mystic]

That's precisely why I AM obsessed with it. It takes effort, time and commitment. It's odd that I got into it around the same time as my old man died (Liverpool and going the game were our thing for nearly 40 years) and football became a bloated mess of Sky Sports, forums, and 'your' BBC. A maelstrom of being 'sold' Bolton versus Ipswich."It's a MASSIVE game!! You must watch! here, look at us! tweet us, let us know what YOU think, you bunch of mouth-breathing proles. Let's form opinions based around the lowest common denominator.

I truly despise what football in this country has become, but at the same time I'm unable to let go.

Anyway, when a T-Shirt arrives from the States after months of having to fuck around, or my Red Sox calendar arrives, or I'm still up at 2.30 am because I just have to see this pitcher get through this inning, it's all worth it. I love it precisely because it is a minority sport over here. In fact, apart from when I meet my other MLB buddys for drink/chat about the game, I am fiercely protective of it. I should really be agreeing with everyone that it is shit, so no one else gets interested.

Fucking hipsters.

 

[Holle]

Baseball is shit.

 

[rurikbird]

That's precisely why I AM obsessed with it. It takes effort, time and commitment. It's odd that I got into it around the same time as my old man died (Liverpool and going the game were our thing for nearly 40 years) and football became a bloated mess of Sky Sports, forums, and 'your' BBC. A maelstrom of being 'sold' Bolton versus Ipswich."It's a MASSIVE game!! You must watch! here, look at us! tweet us, let us know what YOU think, you bunch of mouth-breathing proles. Let's form opinions based around the lowest common denominator.

I truly despise what football in this country has become, but at the same time I'm unable to let go.

Anyway, when a T-Shirt arrives from the States after months of having to fuck around, or my Red Sox calendar arrives, or I'm still up at 2.30 am because I just have to see this pitcher get through this inning, it's all worth it. I love it precisely because it is a minority sport over here. In fact, apart from when I meet my other MLB buddys for drink/chat about the game, I am fiercely protective of it. I should really be agreeing with everyone that it is shit, so no one else gets interested.

Nice! So are you a Red Sox fan?

 

[Silver Sean]

Nice! So are you a Red Sox fan?

Aye

 

[Silver Sean]

Fucking hipsters.

Eh?

 

[Silver Sean]

So Sean is complaining about football and forums whilst posting on a football forum standing up for a sport that he wants no one to like.
I'm well fucking baffled here.

Join the club

 

[Brizzle]

It's a sack of shit. Everyone I know (in person) who watches it only watches it because they're American wannabie's.

Aren't you an Ice Hockey fan?!

 

[Le Chacal]

We play Ice hockey in Europe you know...

 

[Wizardry]

Yes, I think the lending library thing is the clincher. The only thing he missed out was the fact that Ralph Waldo Emerson and George Harrison were both into meditation.

🙂

Poke fun, Macca - and that is a clever quip.

But I do actually think the similarities are there - something I'd never really considered previously.

 

[Khalido]

The only redeeming feature of Baseball are Baseball related movies.

 

[Markeh]

The only redeeming feature of Baseball are Baseball related movies.

Good point, I'm not a fan but field of dreams and major league were great

 

[Wizardry]

The Natural with Robert Redford was a cracker. The Black Sox with John Cusack was outstanding and Babe Ruth with John Goodman could raise a smile at times.