My First and Probably Last Thread

[Too Tall]

Watched yeterday on MLB Extra Innings/Masn. Beautiful day with a good crowd in the stadium - a stadium I still think is a jewel.

Now, I've been a reader (mostly) on this site for a long time. Came on this morning expecting to read some baseball discussion about yesterday's 30th opening game at Camden - a win. But mostly what I've read is more bitching and complaining. I know there's plenty to complain about and we surely have the crew on here to do it, but it is getting real old. I for one am tired of every thread evolving into how awful the Orioles do this or that or started with the intent to prove that point. While I think the Orioles are on the right track, I'm not sure at times about this site. I wonder how many like me are getting tired of a constant stream of bashing the Orioles. 

For one game, I enjoyed the Orioles. The pitching was good and so was the defense. Hitting is frustrating but it's early and several players hit real shots that were caught. It was a really good game for opening day. A WIN against a good team with a nice crowd in attendance. I enjoyed spending the afternoon with Ben and Palmer. Tonight, the game may be different but it's still my Orioles warts and all.

 

 

[glenn__davis]

I've always found it to be a very balanced site.  It's funny, you mention threads devolving into complaining, that happens at times.  But for years this site had a reputation as being a homer site, which was just as far from the truth.  I think you have posters on both sides of the spectrum and most are somewhere in the middle.  I tend to be more of an optimist but I always enjoy reading others' opinions as well.

Agree - yesterday was an enjoyable day.  Let's do it again tonight.

[TWpj]

As a lurker it appears that a few posters who appear to have an agenda flood threads with the same contributions every post. It's hard to be a fan of this team now but for some I wonder why they even follow the team if it brings this much negativity into their lives. 

[wildcard]

I rarely bash.  I really liked Mateo excitement after he scored.  I don't know whether to trust the relievers yet.   I'm kind of gun shy.  I was really pleasantly surprised how quickly Lopez closed out the game.

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, TWpj said:

As a lurker it appears that a few posters who appear to have an agenda flood threads with the same contributions every post. It's hard to be a fan of this team now but for some I wonder why they even follow the team if it brings this much negativity into their lives. 

Mostly it's so I can have my fandom judged by others.

[Bahama O's Fan]

There is alot to be negative about. This downward spiral started in 2018. I think I saw somewhere that from 2012 to 2016, we had the best record in baseball, unfortunately, no WS appearances. We are now in year 4 of a rebuild and most teams usually rebuild quickly. Most fans are discouraged. We need something to give us some hope. Complaining is a form of coping (venting) and it allows many to blow off some steam. But thankfully, there are some bright spots this season. I hope we can see steady improvement.

[UMDTerrapins]

I hear you, but I think trying to change the tone/positivity of an internet message board is as hopeless an endeavor as one could possibly undertake. 

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Bahama O's Fan said:

There is alot to be negative about. This downward spiral started in 2018. I think I saw somewhere that from 2012 to 2016, we had the best record in baseball, unfortunately, no WS appearances. We are now in year 4 of a rebuild and most teams usually rebuild quickly. Most fans are discouraged. We need something to give us some hope. Complaining is a form of coping (venting) and it allows many to blow off some steam. But thankfully, there are some bright spots this season. I hope we can see steady improvement.

You also have the fact that some of us "complainers" were actively discussing how unsustainable the Orioles model was.  It's extra frustrating when you could see it coming and they kept doubling down on the poor decisions.

[TWpj]

Hard to communicate exactly what I am trying to say, but the "air" around the team(other than the losing) just seems off. The broadcast teams(other than Palmer) just seems minor league. They are not even trying. And yes, I know, it's to save money. 

[hutchead]

I know what you mean Too Tall. The same guys hijack every thread spewing their vitriol. They think they know it all and the world revolves around them and if you don't agree with them 100% then you're "stupid". It does get old!

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

6 minutes ago, TWpj said:

Hard to communicate exactly what I am trying to say, but the "air" around the team(other than the losing) just seems off. The broadcast teams(other than Palmer) just seems minor league. They are not even trying. And yes, I know, it's to save money. 

Agreed. The broadcast team leaves a lot to be desired after having Joe Angel and Gary Thorne for so many years. At least we have Palmer and I enjoy Ben McDonald's analysis. Kevin Brown is decent, but he hasn't grown on me yet. 

I could listen to Thorne or Angel when the Orioles were getting kicked around and still enjoy the broadcast. That doesn't happen these days. And from the fans who have been to the games recently the in game experience is lacking.

Winning will fix a lot of these issues, but who knows how much longer we're going to wait for an above .500 Orioles season. 

[owknows]

2 minutes ago, hutchead said:

I know what you mean Too Tall. The same guys hijack every thread spewing their vitriol. They think they know it all and the world revolves around them and if you don't agree with them 100% then you're "stupid". It does get old!

It is a bit of a cancer. And I think it sadly takes a big bite out of participation by people who might otherwise join in, but don't want to deal with the same obnoxious kneecapping by making a simple  comment that runs afoul of the toxic clique.

It's a tough situation to deal with.

 

[oriole]

Bye

[Sanfran327]

With the exception of the 2nd half of the 2014 season when we were going out there and winning 5 nights a week, this board has always been negative. Not that this team has given us a lot to be positive about. Even during that 2014 season - in the midst of winning 96 games - it never really felt like we were contenders. Even after sweeping the Tigers and their super rotation it never really felt like it. You'd come on here and a large contingency was waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then it did when we were swept by KC.

The old joke has always been that even if we won the World Series, it wouldn't be enough if it wasn't a sweep of double digit wins. Or that the next day, someone would be wondering how sustainable it is. It's a tough crowd.

At the end of the day though, it's also because a) baseball is a thinking man's game, and b) this happens to be the smartest internet forum I've ever visited. I do wish more folks here could live in the moment, but as of this morning, the moment was over. I wouldn't trade the knowledge base of this community for a little bit more positivity. Besides, even winning organization's message boards are filled with negativity. Check out Sons of Sam Horn for the Red Sox or whatever the Yankees' message board is. Fandom begets negativity. 

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

30 minutes ago, UMDTerrapins said:

I hear you, but I think trying to change the tone/positivity of an internet message board is as hopeless an endeavor as one could possibly undertake.