Rocco Baldelli said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:37pm
the question is-which is the greater sports city...boston or chicago? i found this question amusing at first and i didn't know this was even an argument, but we will debate it nevertheless. now the challenge is to put it into words so every new englander reading it can say...."this is a guy who obviously hasn't used grammar in a long time but boston is clearly a better sports city than chicago and is probably the best sports city in the world. " that is my goal here
Kristine Leahy said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:42pm
It’s ironic that I am writing my half of the debate after just returning from a vacation in Palm Beach where there was a bar called Boston’s filled with Sox and Celtics décor, where three times on the beach I learned of Richard Seymore’s trade from crazy Patriots fans screaming in angst faster than my mobile ESPN update, and where on my return flight the pilot actually gave play by play updates over the loudspeaker of the Sox game. I’ll give you this Rocco…Boston is a great sports city, but I hate to lose a debate, so I’ve got to show some love to my home town. By the way, Chicago’s Sox won the game.
Rocco Baldelli said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:45pm
when a bostonian couple has a child there are several things that happen. most are fairly typical, but one sets it apart. before the infant can even get back to it's newly decorated room for the first time he or she already owns
a red sox hat
a red sox jersey
a red sox t shirt
other assorted red sox paraphernalia
and if they're really lucky some sort of personalized autograph from a past or present red sox player
Kristine Leahy said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:52pm
Chicago fans do exactly the same things, except that as they grow up they continue buying team paraphernalia even when their teams aren’t doing well...and for the Cubs, that’s been a long time. We do not have long lapses where fans disappear for a while only to reappear over a world series win wearing pink hats all around town. Speaking of which…I own one of those hats, it was given to me as a gift when I moved here five years ago…strange isn’t it? Chicagoans are so famous as sports fans that we have the famous “sportsfans” of SNL who love Da Bears, and Da Bulls. Bears fans even paint their garages, and in some cases, their entire houses in Chicago blue and orange…not just nursery rooms.
Rocco Baldelli said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:53pm
this child will grow up thinking that NESN is the only television channel in existence and will live and die with this team. their daily mood will be directly affected by a red sox win or loss and this will continue up into their teens, twenties and until the final day they walk this earth. most of the lifers claim the 2004 red sox world series to be the happiest day of their lives and now they can die happy. i firmly believe there have never been more tears shed over a sporting event than there were on october 27th, 2004.
Kristine Leahy said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:55pm
First, let it be known that I moved to Boston five years ago and since then the Sox have won a world series, the Celtics won an NBA title, the Patriots won a Super Bowl, and my BU Terriers won the NCAA title and numerous Beanpots. I’d be lying if I didn’t call myself a huge fan of Boston sports…but again, I have to show some love to my home town. While Bostonians stay with their teams through thick and thin, Chicagoans stay with their teams through thick, thin, and thinner. It’s been over a century since the Cubs’ last world series and they still pack Wrigley Field! I believe Fenway’s only been selling out since May of 2003. Coincidence? I think not. WHEN Chicago wins their world series it will either be the happiest day of every Chicagoans life, or the universe will spontaneously combust. And while I appreciate the impact of Boston’s 2004 championship, I’d like to offer you MJ’s last game and fadeaway jumper from the free throw line to win the ’98 NBA championship. I was just twelve and I cried.
Rocco Baldelli said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:56pm
now this isn't an argument about red sox fans being the most avid in all of sports (they obviously are.) i'm using it as an example of the way sports is interwoven in the daily world of every boston resident and almost every new englander. some might call it obsessive, but no one from the area will apologize for any of it. we actually wouldn't have it any other way.
Kristine Leahy said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:57pm
Everyone knows how famous the relentless Cubs fans are. Turn on ESPN and you’re much more likely to see them covering how crazy the Cubs fans were that night than the Red Sox fans. Walk through Wrigleyville on a game day and the first thing you’ll notice after the overwhelming aroma of Old Style, is the sea of blue Cubs jerseys walking under the waves of white flags with a big blue W on them. Chicago fans pack the trains pounding beers, and then enjoy a game at the GREATEST ball park in the U.S. Cubs fans throw back other teams’ home run balls or risk getting thrown over the fence themselves. And we actually STAND during the games. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen even a wave make a full round around Fenway. Oh, and when our rivals come to town, the crowd does not fill up with suits who drink martinis and don’t know whether it’s the second inning or the seventh.
Rocco Baldelli said the following @ 09/08/2009, 10:59pm
now that i've laid the foundation for my argument i'm going to start rattling some things off. the red sox are hardly the only good reason to be a sports fan in boston. the city was an upstart sports haven and has history that few can match.
the boston garden (rip) over the years was home to the greatest coach in NBA history, the greatest center in NBA history, and the greatest shooter/clutch shooter in NBA history. while we're at it... the greatest announcer in NBA history too. if you need me to list these names you probably shouldnt be reading this anyway. the franchise has taken home 17 world championships, but who's counting.
Kristine Leahy said the following @ 09/08/2009, 11:01pm
Greatest announcer? Have you heard of Harry Caray? You couldn’t understand a word he was saying yet Cubs fans still loved him! And I’ll rattle a few more off too while we’re at it. Chicago had the greatest team in football history (’85 Bears), the greatest team in basketball history (’95-’96 Bulls), the greatest player in all of sports history (MJ), and the greatest running back in history (Walter Payton). You may have Sweet Caroline, but Chicago has the Super Bowl Shuffle, Go Cubs Go, large guys dancing at halftime, Bill Swerkski and his magic hula ritual (Da Bears, Da Bears, Da Bears, Da Bears), the world’s best seventh inning stretch, and no jumbotron out past centerfield…that’s classic.
Rocco Baldelli said the following @ 09/10/2009, 2:37pm
nice to see all of you again. i learned a new lesson today. just like you don't tell anyone who youre picking in the first round of your fantasy football draft -you should not send in your debate 4 days early so it can be analyzed and carefully rebutted by the competition. back in high school i should've asked my teachers for the answers before every test. better yet i think for the rest of the season ill call the opposing pitcher the night before every game and ask him every pitch he's going to throw. i didn't know these were acceptable practices until now.
some of my original statements (boston marathon turning the city into one big block party and the belichick/brady dynasty)are missing all together but im ok with it. i talked about number 4 bobby orr and 16-0 seasons. those didn't make it in there either. and im ok with that too. we've all seen gladiator. even with that gaping covered up stab wound maximus still slays the king- though it took a little more effort than it shouldve.
ive read over this whole thing and kristine's done a nice job and made some valid points but i think chicago is actually an impostor the wrong debate. its rightful place is here, in the "most fun city in the midwest" debate. i think chicago could possibly do well in that one.
doing this debate wasnt a difficult moral decision but i am however a fan of the city of chicago. its seems like a big city with a lot of small town people in it and i think anyone who hasnt been should visit. that being said, the people of chicago seem to have a certain mindset - "even if we're not good we're still going to have a good time," and thats respectable i guess. theyre the lovable losers, but that doesn't make it a better sports city than boston. the "aw shucks we'll get'em next year, lets go get a beer" routine might work in illinois but please dont try it in massachusetts.
by the way kristine. i just got off the phone with my best friend. he voted for you.
apparently there is a vote skewing disparity in our pictures at the top of the page. who knew?
Kristine Leahy wins the slugfest!
Comments
MONSTAH
posted @ 09/09/2009, 10:57am
Not that Rocco needs my help here. BUT. Chicago fans are too stupid to realize SNL is making fun of them not glorifying them. This goes double for Harry ! and how can you compare Sweet Caroline to the Gayest rap ever, and as for that west side dump, being held together by Ivy and sausage grease? Ill take Americas most beloved ball park. Fenway is MECCA here in New England and around the world. Moving on to Basketball. Chi Town didn’t even know what the NBA was before MJ showed up. while WE ARE the NBA. I will not argue that Payton is the greatest back in history and 86 was the best defense of all time. But You couldn’t hold it together for even a second run. WAY TO GO DITKA LOL. Meanwhile we are building extra cases to hold Lombardi trophies. Hockey? You don’t even want to go there. They don’t call us the HUB for nothing, And Boxing need I say more than ROCKY ! I could but I don’t really have to. Boston isn’t just the best sports town in the country we are the best in the WORLD. Chicago, NY, LA, London, Toronto, Madrid, Tokyo, All live on our Shadow
Ahomer
posted @ 09/09/2009, 11:11am
I just want to say one persons name. Robert Gordon Orr. Best ever in any sport. Patriots only 16-0 NFL franchise.
as for gay music. we have the squish the fish song. And the brady shuffle. Thanks Tom Doyle.
Doynay74
posted @ 09/09/2009, 11:43am
Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, I have to with Chicago being the greater sports city. Not only do we sport teamwear from birth through death, paint ourselves with team colors from head to toe, put team colors and logos all over our vehicles, and fly team flags from our homes, but we don't let anything hinder us from attending our events. We could have 30 below zero windchills with 4 feet of snow on the ground and we will still make it to the game. I've lived on the East Coast and found that it shuts down if they even think it might snow. CHICAGOANS ARE DEDICATED SPORTS FANS!
CT_BostonGuy1981
posted @ 09/09/2009, 2:41pm
Chicago fans vs. Boston fans is even better than Boston vs. NY. 2 great cities with each of the Big 4 sports (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL). Great debate item!
1st off, last i checked Fenway Park had the LONGEST home sellout streak (which did start in 2003, however that was Year 85) and Wrigley does not hold this honor does it?
the Celtics ARE pro basketball history and currently the present. 17 better than 6 (all brought by a single players presence).
Chicago did get one sport item over Boston, the Winter Classic. i think there is ALREADY more hype about this season's WC than last years.
the Bears had one good run and won a single Super Bowl. New England is in midst of their good run and how many Lombardi Trophies currently reside in Foxboro?
In conclusion, Chicagoites LOVE their teams without a doubt. However, Bostonians LIVE by our teams' wins and losses, not just love for our teams.
jgramz
posted @ 09/09/2009, 3:29pm
Chicago White Sox won a world series in 06 and nobody even noticed how is that for sport fans in just this decade 04 and 07 sox world serioes champs, a 17th nba title, 3 super bowl wins and another apearance where the pats were ummm idk 16-0, the best coach in the nfl and the longest sellout streak in mlb history whens the last time the cubs have sold out 1 season... thank you may i remind you of our 7 world series champs or bobby orr , or larry,russell, mchale, parish, sam jones,havliceck,maxwell, cousy etc....
Are they even comparable? Being born in New England, my answer is obvious: New England is and will always be the better of the two. New England fans persevere through the good and bad and our love for our sports teams never waivers. Our teams are a way of life, not just a pastime or a city's way to try and boost morale. Every sports season is like a Holiday to us and regardless of whether or not our teams come out on top, we unite in comradery.
bloqhead
posted @ 09/09/2009, 6:08pm
@Doynay74 - I saw the Bruins play twice at the old Boston Garden and on both occasions ended up stuck in snow. The first, the T train was stopped due to a blizzard and we sat for 20 minutes while the tracks were cleared.
The second, we drove to and from the game, 20 mph, behind a snow plow, in one of the worst blizzards of the year at the time. I lived on Cape Cod so if you know the New England area at all, you can well imagine how long the commute ended up being.
When I was little I stood at the fence of a Cotuit Kettleers game in the cold weather, and still managed to get my glove signed by Jason Varitek and other players.
You wanna mention cold weather to a New Englander and then infer that we're not willing enough to go through a wintery hell to see our teams play? Haha.
PatriotTony1
posted @ 09/09/2009, 6:53pm
I'm not going to vote because I'm related to the Chicagoland hostess here... But c'mon.. you're comparing a "city" with SIX states that comprise New England. And we'll drive from western CT and northern Maine to go see a game in Beantown. And again, let's not forget the "Red Sox Nation". I watched that Chi/Bos Sox game and there were A LOT of Blue hats with Red "B"s in the stands.
Dragbunts11
posted @ 09/09/2009, 7:03pm
If the cubs ever shake the curse of the billy goat, the north-side will erupt in just the same way Boston did when the Sox won their 04 WS title. Any prolonged drought in a fan heavy market will do that.(Bos, Chi, NY, LA representing the heavy hitters)
I am a Boston sports fan and I do favor the Bean over Chi but it isn't without some gripes.
-1st. The majority of New England fans are ignorant to every other market in the country when it comes to sports. They don't acknowledge greatness in any other arena other then there own and it drives me nuts. Yes, root for your team, but for christ's sake, appreciate talent outside your own box. Maybe I'm blind to other major markets acting this way(as I've grown up in New England and spent my post college days in Boston) but have some respect for the game itself, not just logos on the jersey. Am I saying you should you root for the Yankees, heck no, but should you have a little respect for the 26 world titles? You bet you should.
-2nd. Just because people go to college in Boston(or New England for that matter), it doesn't entitle them to instantly become a Boston sports fan. I can't count the amount of out-of-staters who've hopped on the bandwagon since enrolling in their respective universities and become "diehard" members of RedSox nation(keep your pink hats at home) or Celts fans since the KG/Ray Allen era began. Stick to your roots and wallow in the mediocrity that is your local team.
Again, I'm sure instances of this occur in every major sport city, but with Boston's recent reclamation(there I said it) as America's best/most successfull sports town, it just seems rampant.
savykessel91
posted @ 09/09/2009, 8:34pm
17 championships (celtics)? gonna say the bulls are better. How many people go to chicago blackhawk games? i recall seeing the garden nearly filled every night. The bears? have they ever gone 16-0? naw no team in history has. argument done. boston better than chicago by farrr
bloqhead
posted @ 09/09/2009, 8:56pm
@Dragbunts11 - I dislike the bandwagoneers and the pink hats as well. I'm there with you on that. I think you can lump them and ignorance in together for the most part though. I can only speak for myself when I say that I'm a fan of Jeter and Posada, despite the fact that I am indeed a diehard Boston sports fan and always have been. There is absolutely no denying that Jeter is an unbelievably talented shortstop and I've always had a high level of respect for Posada. He's a stand up player.
I hate that the Boston pink hatters and ignorance give us diehard fans a bad rep. I have respect for all MLB teams and think they should all have their stage. I'll say that I hate the Yankees but for me it's always been more of a competitive edge. Being a Boston fan yourself, I'm sure you know how it is. You're just raised into it. I've never been the type to whine when the Sox lose.
You're right about these things occurring on all sides of the fence. I think Boston fans get the brunt of it because they have some bragging rights (to an extent) and because of this, they're on that soapbox with their opposing clubs' fans looking on. That soapbox just happens to be crowded with fairweather fans as well. It happens. I'd say I've seen a lot of this with the Yankees. I've lost count of how many people I've seen wearing NY hats who know nothing about the ball club. It's just commonplace in every sport, but I don't have to tell you this.
Guys like me and you know the difference though. It's easy to weed out the fairweathers and pink hatters, from the diehards and chowdaheads.
Melanie
posted @ 09/09/2009, 9:01pm
Wrigley is a cesspool.
Melanie
posted @ 09/09/2009, 9:07pm
Cesspool comment directed at rt1574 :)
Kristine,
With all due respect: You claim Chicago fans do not disappear when a team is not doing well. You may want to check the attendance records of the Bulls, ChiSox, and the BlackHawks (excluding last season for the Hawks)over the past decade. Not exactly stellar. Just a friendly FYI.
DaBears1127
posted @ 09/09/2009, 9:39pm
@Melanie
Blackhawks fair-weather fans are exempt, especially anyone born this side of 1980 as Bill Wirtz, the owner, did everything in his power to destroy that team. It wasn't just that they got good and then the fans came back. Wirtz died, the games came back on TV, the fans came back, and THEN the team was able to flourish.
Bulls attendance has averaged over 20,000 since 04-05, a physical impossibility for the TD Garden.
And personally, as a Cubs fan born and raised, I don't care about the White Sox. Though I will say that 30,000 in the past few years isn't something to wag a finger at considering how many old fat white guys are on that team.
FlashG1
posted @ 09/09/2009, 9:49pm
How can you argue with the Best Sports City (2006) Sporting News, Best Sports Fan Vacation Destination- Travel + Liesure, US City of the Year 2008-Fast Company mag. and Top GREEN City - Green Guide. The City is Chicago future home of the olympics. They must be GREEN with Envy in Boston or just hit by a wall!
Southstander RSM
posted @ 09/10/2009, 12:12am
This is sad that Boston is losing on the old Sawxheads.
CubsFan16
posted @ 09/10/2009, 12:47am
stop bringing up the white sox, they dont count. Its all about the Cubs in Chicago, and we dont just hop on and off the bandwagon, like you Red Sox fans. 2 years ago I went to my first game at Fenway against the Yankees, and in a 1 run game in the bottom of the ninth the place was dead. No one stood up no one cheered, and your team ending up losing in front of the most apathetic crowd Ive ever seen. Everyone I was there with could not stop talking about how disappointed we were with the Sox fans, because we had heard they were diehards. But compare that atmosphere to any game at Wrigley and the sox nation gets blown away. Last summer my friends took a road trip to Atlanta to see 2 games at Turner, and not only did Cubs fans make up 2/3 of the crowd, and not only were we not able to walk five feet on our way to our seats without getting highfived by other Cubs fans, but after the game everyone in the park was singing "Go Cubs Go" so loud you would have thought it was coming through the loudspeakers.
CubsFan16
posted @ 09/10/2009, 12:48am
Also how do you lose this vote on your city's sports radio's own website? That says a lot.
Rip*1
posted @ 09/10/2009, 11:20am
Are you kidding me? Just got back from Chicago on Labor Day? Beautiful downtown, beautiful view of the city from the lake at night. but you couldn't tell you were in Chicago unless you had a GPS telling you your location. Could i get atleast 1, "Go Cubs Go" sign somewhere on the highway. When your in Boston, you know your in Beantown Baby!!! So excited to go to a Cubs game, Boring my go (Good food though). Wentr to White Sox/Red Sox game following weekend, 100 times better. Atmosphere, fan invovlement, stadium. It was no contest I enjoyed US Cellur more than Wrigley. I would have never thought.
JenJenGoodGirl
posted @ 09/10/2009, 12:59pm
I was at the Red Sox game Tuesday night and it was like a homerun derby. The Red Sox rule!
Bill-1968
posted @ 09/10/2009, 1:41pm
Boston is the best sports town. NO CONTEST!!!!
thekidandyaz
posted @ 09/10/2009, 2:21pm
Boston is probably the better "sports cult" town, but even though I've lived in Boston all my life, I would give the nod to Chicago. First of all, Wrigley Field far surpasses Fenway - it is almost as old, yet the seats are more spacious, most of them actually face the infield, and the prices are more reasonable. The Cubs fans are as knowledgable as Red Sox fans and generally much politer. Perhaps most importantly, they are not foolish enough to get involved in something as inane as "Sweet Caroline". Boston fans can be very boorish and immature - consider the venom they spit at Jeter, for instance, one of the best and classiest players in baseball.
rockyrhodes
posted @ 09/10/2009, 3:20pm
i am a Boston Sports I have given up the comforts of a home to live in the rolling green monster. a boston srorts fan club house on wheels. i spent last winter spreading Boston and red sox love all over the country. I did this on my own with a little help from my friends and it has been worth every second of it. After the world Series is won in Boston this year I am donating the rolling green monster to charity as i have no will or money left to continue .At which time i will be homeless is there one chicago fan who would do the same for there love of chicago sports i think not . i have been first in line to go to almost every playoff and World series game in Boston and have record of 1 lose and over 35 wins to my name I am back this year to continue the tradition. homelesss after the parade I dont care its worth it
peace Rocky Rhodes
Melanie
posted @ 09/10/2009, 8:02pm
It's about the intangibles: Maybe it isn't about arguing the degree of devotion, but the atmosphere fans create for the city that's at the heart of this argument. Which city exudes more of a "sportstown" atmosphere?
Because of the recent winning, who could sanely argue against Boston? For now...
sydney112613
posted @ 09/10/2009, 8:19pm
at least sox fans have some class. when was the last time they poured a beer on a player's head? oh, and, kristine? you've obviously been to fenway, because i've gone there several times, and i've always laughed at how the wave seems to go around several times. boston all the way.
ChiTOWN
posted @ 09/10/2009, 8:22pm
You watch it sydney!!!
looks like chicagos going to win though?
mascmen7
posted @ 09/10/2009, 8:42pm
Chicago supports fully two major league baseball teams while Boston failed to support the Boston Braves who left for Milwaukee and Atlanta and had far greater attendance than Red Sox over those years and many division titles while Red Sox have won one division title in last 10 years and only a handful in their entire existence. Plus Chicago fans stick with their teams while Red Sox fans are fair weather fans who will flee the coup if Red Sox collapse and become non-competitive. I am from Canton, Mass.
CubsFan16
posted @ 09/10/2009, 10:27pm
thats right, Chicago wins on a Boston website
FranconaFan
posted @ 09/10/2009, 11:02pm
Boston, there's no need to argue. I was talking to Justin Masterson at a charity event, right after he got called up and he said that Boston is nothing like the midwest. Everyone in Boston watches the game, they applaud for first pitch strikes, they know who's warming up in the bullpen by the style of pitching and I've never seen women discuss sports in nail salons, like they do in Boston. They know what's going on. My friend was invited to throw out the first pitch at Fenway, she took 3 weeks of pitching lessons!!! That's dedication. Boston, all the way!!
Jackel
posted @ 09/10/2009, 11:03pm
Hey Kristine...
Your argument is full of crap (Boston rules!), and you don't know how to spell either. (Richard Seymore???)
Jackel
posted @ 09/10/2009, 11:12pm
Oh ya, and another thing... you winning that argument on a Boston based site only means that you got votes for being beautiful, nothing else!
Blaze
posted @ 09/11/2009, 10:41am
The fact that Leahy won this debate proves 1 of these 2 points: 1) Chicago fans came to this site and just blindly voted for their city or 2) Boston fans actually ARE great knowledgeable and intelligent people, loyal to their city, but at the same time, truly honest with themselves, honest with their feelings, and sentiments about their favorite teams. I love ya Rocco, but it's clear that Leahy defended her side of the debate much better. She clearly one-upped you with any point you had to make, and Boston fans being the intelligent group of people they are admitted as much to themselves and made the right vote in THIS debate. There is no question, however, which city is really the better sports town, no matter who won this debate. (Boston)
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