Boston Red Sox

RW81233

Jimed, after considering our discussions (among others that I've had), I'm submitting this to the Popular Culture Association to hopefully present this April 11-14:
Get Rid of the "Pink Hats," because I Want My White Boys Back: Red Sox Nation, Corporate Post-Nationality, and the Paradox of Neoliberal Apoliticality.

Following the Boston Red Sox collapse at the end of the 2011 regular season some of those in Red Sox Nation (RSN) curiously rejoiced. While disappointed that the team lost, longtime supporters suggested that maybe it would clear the franchise’s bandwagon of ‘pink hat fans’. Using this response as a backdrop I will attempt to critically evaluate its socio-political import. More to the point, after years of futilely chasing the New York Yankees, in 2007 USA Today (White, 2007) had proclaimed RSN as baseball’s biggest fan base. Certainly then, RSN became the poster-child for the post-national moment (Miller, 2008) whereby the traditional nation-state’s importance has waned in favor of consumption-based ideological (national) identity formations (i.e. Budweiser, under Belgian ownership, is still marketed as an “American” beer).

Similar to Budweiser representing “America”, RSN was once a fiercely local fan base that has given way to a corporatized structure focused more on profitability than representing New England. Paradoxically, in RSN’s case this has been a somewhat positive move. For what was once thought of as the most racially monotone fan base (Bryant, 2002), has given way to a slightly more mutli-ethnic/cultural/national group of people whose consumptive practices have provided the Red Sox with the funding to compete with the Yankees. Thus, this presentation will seriously consider the cultural, on-field, and in-the-stands implications of RSN attempting to return to its ‘roots’. Finally, I will conclude by taking into consideration the idea that corporate apoliticality may have brought about progressive social change in RSN.

Whattya think?

jimed14

RW81233 wrote:

Following the Boston Red Sox collapse at the end of the 2011 regular season some of those in Red Sox Nation (RSN) curiously rejoiced. While disappointed that the team lost, longtime supporters suggested that maybe it would clear the franchise’s bandwagon of ‘pink hat fans’.

First ... who rejoiced? I'm in San Francisco, so, I'm not there in it hearing people in Boston directly ... so, I'd want some folks in Boston to chime in on the fact that, "yeah, people were kind of happy the Sox tanked hoping the fringe fans would go away."

I mean I get your point, and I agree. Everyone loves a winner, so with the Sox winning, the games became more of a place to be seen than a sporting event. And it certainly has become a more diverse "RSN" over the past decade ... here in the bay area, I see tons of folks from all different races and backgrounds sporting Sox gear ... and no doubt, these people have no idea who Tom Yawkey, Pumpsie Green or Tommy Harper are.

The pink hats won't go anywhere until the Sox put up a few sub .500 records, though.

So ... the only thing I don't agree with ... or should I say, feel is backed by evidence, is that the old RSN wants to be less culturally diverse (if that is indeed what you're implying). I think they just want the people that sit in the stands who are more interested in updating their facebook with photos at the game to not be at Fenway anymore, those could very easily be white males as well. If people are truly hard core fans, no one gives a crap what color, sex or religion they are.

RW81233

I took the "rejoiced" from this clip on the Scott Van Pelt show, Rusillo claims he was a hardcore Sox fan (plus this was similar to some of the stuff I was hearing from friends/fam in Beantown). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WeoTS4Dxb4 I'm planning on starting the presentation off with this then kinda going from there into the discussion. It'll be in Boston so I hope to get some good discussion on it.

Wobbie

new york's exit has got to take a little of the sting away, right?

g under p

imalive wrote:

new york's exit has got to take a little of the sting away, right?

Not really I lost a bet last night when I put it all on the frisking Yankees. So I'm a loser just like their fans today.

Peace

Wobbie

g under p wrote:

imalive wrote:

new york's exit has got to take a little of the sting away, right?

Not really I lost a bet last night when I put it all on the frisking Yankees. So I'm a loser just like their fans today.

Peace

you bet the yankees....and you're a sox fan? sorry, but a true fan never bets the enemy....even if they perceive a "sure thing."

g under p

imalive wrote:

g under p wrote:

imalive wrote:

new york's exit has got to take a little of the sting away, right?

Not really I lost a bet last night when I put it all on the frisking Yankees. So I'm a loser just like their fans today.

Peace

you bet the yankees....and you're a sox fan? sorry, but a true fan never bets the enemy....even if they perceive a "sure thing."

My daughter is a Yankee fan and the bet was 1 dollar and loser had to clean HER ROOM. :shock: I would rather put up a 100 bucks than the mess of room she has. :(

Peace

jimed14

imalive wrote:

you bet the yankees....and you're a sox fan? sorry, but a true fan never bets the enemy....even if they perceive a "sure thing."

Nah ... that's horseshit ... the only team I never bet on or against in the playoffs is the Sox. Win or lose I'm invested enough in any Boston team ... hell, I've bet against the Sox in regular season games. (I would NEVER do that in the playoffs).

I'd even bet my mother to lose a cooking duel if there was money on the line. Smart money doesn't mean you don't love your team. Or your mom.

Cliffy6745

Dude, there is NO betting against your team. You cannot benefit for your team losing.

jimed14

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Dude, there is NO betting against your team. You cannot benefit for your team losing.

A regular season baseball game?

If my Sox homer friend wants to bet me dinner that the Sox are going to win and Lackey, coming off 4 straight disasters, is on the mound in some random game in May ... I'm going to take him up on it.

Where is jeagler to come in here and call me a fraud?

g under p

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Dude, there is NO betting against your team. You cannot benefit for your team losing.

Well I look at it this way IF you are a fan of your team for 40 years or more well then you can do ANY damn thing you please with said team. I've been a SOX fan since 71-72' so there.

Peace

Cliffy6745

Alright, well dinner in that situation is one thing. You get to go out and have a good time either way. But just betting money is a no go.

neilybabes86

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Alright, well dinner in that situation is one thing. You get to go out and have a good time either way. But just betting money is a no go.

boston fan.....duhhhhhhhhh

Wobbie

francona is not doing too badly for the first time out in his broadcaster gig.

Drop The Leash 10

imalive wrote:

francona is not doing too badly for the first time out in his broadcaster gig.

smart guy. sad to see him go.. even sadder to him in a booth with the two biggest assclowns in broadcasting...

Wobbie

Drop The Leash 10 wrote:

imalive wrote:

francona is not doing too badly for the first time out in his broadcaster gig.

smart guy. sad to see him go.. even sadder to him in a booth with the two biggest assclowns in broadcasting...

the head assclown has the night off....but rosenthal's working the dugouts.

Drop The Leash 10

Reports are saying that Theo is close to signing.. with the Cubs.

Cliffy6745

Haha. When it rains it pours.

Drop The Leash 10

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Haha. When it rains it pours.

At least he didn't waste time. Time to get going with the future.

neilybabes86

besides the money why would he go with that horrible squad