Who Thinks of the Fans?


by: Don Groth

Hi sports fans! I hope all is well with you and yours. In my last article, I talked about how I'm from the "old school" in sports and didn't agree with the showboating and hot-dogging that goes on in sports today, especially in the NFL.

This time I guess you can say I'm still from the "old school" in that I raise the question; "Where's the loyalty in professional sports today?" For example; WR Terry Glenn screwing up and giving up on his team, the New England Patriots as they go out and win the Super Bowl? This will haunt him for the rest of his life! Now he signs with the Green Bay Packers.

DB Robert Griffith leaving the Minnesota Vikings to sign with the Cleveland Browns. Another example is LB Kailee Wong jumping the Viking ship to sign with the new expansion Houston Texans. What about LB London Fletcher leaving the top notch St. Louis Rams for the lowly Buffalo Bills? In pro baseball for just one example there's Jason Giambi leaving the Oakland A's for the New York Yankees.

What does it all come down to? It's of course very simple; MONEY, GREED!!! The almighty dollar is more important than teammates, loyalty and winning the championship. The salary cap can make you or break you. What about you & me, the fans? You hardly ever see a player stay with one team for his whole career anymore, like Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles.

I know times have changed. But I can't imagine Mickey Mantle not in a Yankee uniform. How about baseball great Ted Williams not in a Boston Red Sox uniform; or Harmon Killebrew playing for another team other than the Minnesota Twins? For us as fans it's hard to get attached to players these days because you're afraid they won't be here next season! Honestly, pro sports aren't as fun for me to watch like they used to be. It's hard to follow who's playing for whom.

How about giving us fans a break? ...As for me; I've been with the same group of guys in baseball, softball and volleyball now for over 20 years and I'm proud of that! Then again, no one has offered me more than a case of beer and a tank of gas to switch! ...Until next time....take care everybody!

Previous Articles

February '02

---

Don Groth is a 45 yrs. old, x-minor league baseball player, Yankee A farm club, Ft Lauderdale, Fl. Still very active in playing baseball, softball and volleyball and coaching. Husband, father of 3, 2 girls(23 & 22) 1 boy, 18. He and Betty are loving life in too cold Minnesota. You can reach Don at; Don@boomerjournals.com