With the 2008 MLB All-Star game having passed us, everyone is looking for ways for baseball to "fix" their game. But the person who needs to take note is Gary Bettman, because stemming from the All-Star game comes a great fix for the NHL.
"Classless" is the way people have been describing New York baseball fans the last couple of days. It's basically a term thrown out by bitter Bostonian's who had their team ripped by the Yankee fans.
Now, I've been to the Boston Garden. I know Boston sports fans have class. Not only have Bruins fans cheered "Oh Canada" after having Montreal boo the "Star Spangled Banner", but I've been in attendance when Sidney Crosby received a standing ovation for pulling off some amazing moves and hitting a crossbar late in a tie game (after a "Sidney Sucks" chant, I may add). But let's be realistic, if the All-Star game was at Fenway, Mariano Rivera would get the same treatment that Jonathan Papelbon received.
It doesn't stop at baseball. The Patriots hate the Jets (and I'm sure now the Giants), and if the Knicks weren't a D-League level team, I'm sure they would hate the Celtics. But the Bruins and Rangers have no such rivalry. Why? Because hockey, in its infinite wisdom, has the worlds largest market in a separate division than the Hub of Hockey.
Think of what the Boston-New York does for publicity in the MLB and NFL. Can ESPN ever talk about the Red Sox and Patriots without mentioning their New York counterparts? Red Sox-Yankees is always the lead. Spygate was a bigger deal because he happened between the Jets and Patriots.
If the NHL wants to get more publicity, than the Bruins and Rangers have to be in the same division. The Rangers need a major rivalry, and nothing could compare to one with the boys in Beantown. The only thing New York and Boston fans love more than their own teams is hating each others.
Imagine an April with the Bruins and Rangers battling for a division lead. The intensity, and animosity, would make Mike Millbury proud.
Granted, it's easier said than done. If the Penguins were still on the block, the NHL had a chance. Now it would take a lot of effort and realignment, but the end could bring about more revenue and publicity than the NHL has ever had.
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about 1 month ago
nice article, AJ, really enjoyed it
about 1 month ago
Good article, but I can't agree with the whole thing about Rivera getting the same treatment. I can't say for a fact it wouldn't happen, because I have never been to Boston, but from reports I heard, Papelbon's pregnant wife was even threatened by some fans in NY, which is way too far.
from about 1 month ago
Some say she was threatened, others say she felt threatened. Either way, what did people expect? It's the Boston Red Sox going to Yankee stadium. I knew the Red Sox would be booed back when the game was awarded to Yankee stadium. It's the same reason why Utley was booed, the Met fans hate the Phillies. If the game was at Shea, Rollins would have been torn apart. I'm not saying it's a bad thing either. It helps make the baseball world go 'round. If Derek Jeter steps to the plate at Fenway, exhibition or not, he's getting booed. And should.
from about 1 month ago
I live 5minutes from Yankee Stadium, yet I will never be a fan of their team. I just dont like NY fans in general. Yes, every team has a bad batch, but none like i have seen out of NY fans.
In Boston I have seen Red Sox fans be very nice and helpful to opposing fans, I cant say the same for Yankees fans.
I have also been to MSG numerous times and never saw people treated at Devils games the way I was treated at MSG. At one point 30 old men were chanting GO HOME ASSHOLE because i had on a Devils jersey. I looked behind me to see who they were yelling at only to see them flip me the bird and realize it was me. Classy to do to a 21 year old girl and her 17yr old sister huh? At another game my Mom stood up to clap after the Devils scored a goal and the guy behind her shoved her back into her chair.
Now you see why i hate NY fans haha. Im not saying Devils or Red Sox fans are perfect, but I remember 2 years ago when the Sens eliminated the Devils in the 2nd round a blog a Sens fan wrote about the hospitality of Devils fans.
Sorry I'm ranting and babbling...good article haha
from about 1 month ago
lets not act like the yankees are the only team who have classless fans. be real, they're everywhere. if you think otherwise you simply dont live in reality.
about 1 month ago
Bruins and Rangers were in the same division for like 70 years until guess who, messed it up. I don't think he'll change back IMO....
about 1 month ago
Good article.
You are going to get the boo birds any place you go. That is what fans do.
As for the Rangers vs. Bruins, it never has been a great rivalry. Maybe when Espo got traded to the Rangers there was much anticipated rivalry there.
Keep in mind other than the Canadians the Bruins biggest rivalry was the Hartford Whalers. The battle of New England. Those were the days.
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