This past month has served as a sort of expose into what goes on inside the mind of a New York sports fan.
- March, 2008. The Islanders are on the verge of climbing back into playoff contention with a shootout win over the Rangers. Two nights later, Ted Nolan starts Wade Dubielewicz over Rick DiPietro, who was returning from injury. Dubielewicz let up four goals that night - none of them particularly soft - and the Islanders never recovered. Worse, the ensuing controversy over Nolan choosing Dubielewicz led to speculation about Nolan's job. Nolan's job security - or lack thereof - has been the leading story surrounding the Islanders ever since.
- April, 2008. The New York Mets defeat their biggest rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, in a 12-inning instant classic. The game ends on a play at the plate where Jose Reyes is called safe, even though he appeared to be out. Instead of celebrating the victory, fans and media alike choose to criticize the Mets' bullpen for blowing the game to begin with. Two days later, Mets fans boo free agent acquisition and ace pitcher Johan Santana as he exits the game.
- March-April, 2008. The New York Rangers heat up at the right time, climbing the Eastern Conference ranks and turning from potential playoff team to legitimate Stanley Cup threats. All along, the focus is on Jaromir Jagr's flirtations with a Russian Super League team. After the Rangers outplay the Devils and win two straight games on the road, Jagr is still the team's lead story. Instead of talking about Jagr playing his best hockey since 2006, the speculation about his future has clouded the good vibes his play has yielded.
"Why are you always asking me about next year? Can't you enjoy it now? That's what I'm doing, trying to play my best." That's Jaromir Jagr's take on the situation. And it ought to be ours as well.
Even though I hate the Rangers, I'm a hockey fan first. And what Jagr is doing right now is nothing short of remarkable. Considered washed up by pretty much everyone, Jagr is having a tremendous resurgence right now. Maybe it's because he wants one last big contract before he retires - and so what if it is? Don't we follow sports for stories like these? If you're a Ranger fan, you don't want to hear about where Jagr might be next year. That's something you worry about over the summer. Let him win you a Cup first, then worry about Jagr's destination.
I'm sick of all these stories taking the spotlight from the rightful parties. I don't care about the last year of Ted Nolan's contract. I don't care if a few idiots boo Johan Santana after the first home start of his seven-year deal. And I sure don't care if Jaromir Jagr follows Alexei Yashin to Russia. I almost feel like New York fans would rather be miserable than actually appreciate what's happening to their teams. The Islanders have a real coach. The Mets have a real superstar. And the Rangers have a real shot at a Stanley Cup.
Why ruin these things for ourselves? Let's put the cynicism aside for a little while and see what hockey has in store for us. Instead of focusing on negative things, let's just enjoy these playoffs for what they are - the best hockey we see all year.
- March, 2008. The Islanders are on the verge of climbing back into playoff contention with a shootout win over the Rangers. Two nights later, Ted Nolan starts Wade Dubielewicz over Rick DiPietro, who was returning from injury. Dubielewicz let up four goals that night - none of them particularly soft - and the Islanders never recovered. Worse, the ensuing controversy over Nolan choosing Dubielewicz led to speculation about Nolan's job. Nolan's job security - or lack thereof - has been the leading story surrounding the Islanders ever since.
- April, 2008. The New York Mets defeat their biggest rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, in a 12-inning instant classic. The game ends on a play at the plate where Jose Reyes is called safe, even though he appeared to be out. Instead of celebrating the victory, fans and media alike choose to criticize the Mets' bullpen for blowing the game to begin with. Two days later, Mets fans boo free agent acquisition and ace pitcher Johan Santana as he exits the game.
- March-April, 2008. The New York Rangers heat up at the right time, climbing the Eastern Conference ranks and turning from potential playoff team to legitimate Stanley Cup threats. All along, the focus is on Jaromir Jagr's flirtations with a Russian Super League team. After the Rangers outplay the Devils and win two straight games on the road, Jagr is still the team's lead story. Instead of talking about Jagr playing his best hockey since 2006, the speculation about his future has clouded the good vibes his play has yielded.
"Why are you always asking me about next year? Can't you enjoy it now? That's what I'm doing, trying to play my best." That's Jaromir Jagr's take on the situation. And it ought to be ours as well.
Even though I hate the Rangers, I'm a hockey fan first. And what Jagr is doing right now is nothing short of remarkable. Considered washed up by pretty much everyone, Jagr is having a tremendous resurgence right now. Maybe it's because he wants one last big contract before he retires - and so what if it is? Don't we follow sports for stories like these? If you're a Ranger fan, you don't want to hear about where Jagr might be next year. That's something you worry about over the summer. Let him win you a Cup first, then worry about Jagr's destination.
I'm sick of all these stories taking the spotlight from the rightful parties. I don't care about the last year of Ted Nolan's contract. I don't care if a few idiots boo Johan Santana after the first home start of his seven-year deal. And I sure don't care if Jaromir Jagr follows Alexei Yashin to Russia. I almost feel like New York fans would rather be miserable than actually appreciate what's happening to their teams. The Islanders have a real coach. The Mets have a real superstar. And the Rangers have a real shot at a Stanley Cup.
Why ruin these things for ourselves? Let's put the cynicism aside for a little while and see what hockey has in store for us. Instead of focusing on negative things, let's just enjoy these playoffs for what they are - the best hockey we see all year.
Mets fans have been booing their own as long as they have been around (well, that could be a lie. I'm 24.). But Beltran got booed his first year, now Santana too.
ReplyDeleteI know, I know. We pay their salary (ok, not me, I haven't been to a Mets game since May 05) so we can boo. But it's sort of disrespectful, doesn't help the team at all, and makes you a laughingstock to the Yankees and their fans.