Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan Andrew

My Favorite Website...to Hate

Ryan Andrew — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:46:53 -0400

If you get the chance, check out www.comingrightatya.com and you will have the opportunity to laugh your head off. The subject of the site is any and everything related to Chicago sports, most notably the Cubs and the Bears.

Sure, at first the content seems normal enough. Where is the humor you may ask? But once you dig a little deeper, you realize the folks that run the site are complete idiots.

I mean that in a good way. Trust me.

These guys are complete fanatics and I love it. They consistently believe the Bears are the best thing since sliced bread. And they truly think the Cubs will actually go deep into the playoffs and win a World Series. Oh the insanity!

But, you have to give them credit for being true and passionate fans. You may remember my recent article on bandwagon fans of Indianapolis. The creators of www.comingrightatya.com are not even close to being relevant to that piece, as they are Chicago fans through and through.

Some of the Highlights of the website include:

The origination of the name comingrightatya
Absolutely stupid pictures and videos of these guys cheering for their teams
A very humorous blog
Complete schedules of the Bears and Cubs
Links to official and fan sites
And step by step instructions on how to “obtain” a cheap Jay Cutler jersey

I may not be a Chicago sports fan, but I truly enjoy an occasional visit to www.comingrightatya.com.

If for no other reason than see the hopes and dreams of Cubs and Bears fans coming crashing down again.

Or to see Jay “Crybaby” Cutler’s fat mug being welcomed with open arms to a horrible Bears franchise.

Oh, how Milton Bradley will entertain me this season!

Indianapolis: Bandwagon Central

Ryan Andrew — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:34:44 -0400

Indianapolis is a great city with a lot of passion for sports. But, there seems to be no loyalty.

There was a time, not long ago, when Indiana Pacer tickets were next to impossible to find. Beginning with the 1998 season, the Pacers began a streak of nine consecutive playoff appearances.

They reached the NBA Finals in 1999-2000, the first year they occupied the fabulous Conseco Fieldhouse. This first season saw the venue sell out every game, averaging over 18,000 fans per game.

Attendance stayed steady at above 17,000 fans per game until the infamous brawl with the Pistons in 2004. The franchise, as well as the fan base, has gradually disintegrated since that time.

Last season, the team ranked No. 28 in league attendance, and this year they are dead last. Attendance dropped 40 percent in 10 years.

Blame it on the fallout from the brawl if you wish. Blame it on the economy. There are plenty of excuses, but really no good reasons. The only truth is that Indianapolis is a bandwagon town.

Walk into any bar, pub, or tavern on a Sunday afternoon in the fall. What do you see?

Steelers fans. Bears fans. Browns fans.

Sure, the Colts have a huge fan base and tremendous following, but on any given Sunday, I can be run out of a bar in my own town.

Bengals fans. Vikings fans. Ravens fans. Patriots fans!

Do you think you see that in Pittsburgh? Doubt it.

I could go on and on. Indianapolis is a melting pot of loyalties.

But why is this? The only theory I have is its proximity to other large cities and its lack of true professional sports teams for many years.

Baseball loyalties used to be in favor of the Reds in this town. The Indianapolis Indians were the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati team for a combined 24 seasons in parts of the 1930s, 40s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. They left most recently in 1999.

Since that time, pockets of bandwagon fans have come out in support of the White Sox, the Cardinals, and especially the Cubs.

And of course, every October and November you’ll see a few more hats of the most recent World Series champ pop up. There seems to be quite of few Boston fans in this area lately as well.

Lately, there seem to be more “diehard, for life” Butler fans in this city. In 1998, no one had ever heard of Butler. Even in Indianapolis.

My biggest worry with this trend is how the Colts will be affected. Peyton Manning cannot play forever. Bill Polian will step down someday. The Colts cannot make the playoffs forever. The power will eventually shift.

When this happens, how do the Colts fill Lucas Oil Stadium? Because, we know how fans react in this town when their team does not win. They stop going to the games.

The company that runs the stadium already faces an operating deficient in the millions. How will they function when the stadium is only 60 percent full?

More likely than not, the team will be moved. It has been threatened before and could soon become a reality.

All because Indianapolis is bandwagon central.

Open Letter To Reds Fans

Ryan Andrew — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:07:49 -0400

Dear Reds Fans:

Please, for the sake of my sanity, exercise a little patience.

Sure, I know it has been nine long seasons since we’ve finished with a winning record. I am aware that our last playoff appearance was when Davey Johnson led us to the playoffs.

I am just as frustrated as everyone else, and it shows far too often. Our once proud franchise has fallen on hard times. I implore you though, please be patient.

Unlike the casual fan, I follow baseball year-round. I read about the Winter Meetings. I scan the message boards. I live for Spring Training, and each March and April, I get tingles down my spine, hoping and praying this will be the year.

I get excited when I see the roster. I know in my heart, this is the team to be beat. It seems as though we always start off hot, and falter sometime between mid-May and June. Out of nowhere, a long West Coast trip will suck the air out of our season on a regular basis.

It is right around the beginning of summer each year that Reds fans strike out against the team. They criticize the ownership, the manager, and the players. They long for football season to be here. And, worst of all, they stop supporting the team and they stop going to games. Why?

This happens consistently, year and year out. But, this year is different. We are two games into the season. I am giddy as ever about our chances. But for some reason, other Reds fans are not excited in April this year.

Maybe they are just tired of losing every single year. But I have never seen so much hatred on message boards. They are calling for Castellini's head, “Jocketty must go!” they say.

We suddenly have thousands of general managers who want to make personnel moves for the team. Everyone suddenly understands the waiver process, and minor league options, and how to control payroll in the current economy, and type-A Free Agent status. Actually, they don’t. But they think they do.

There is a reason Walt Jocketty was named Executive of the Year twice. But, he can’t build a team in one year. He is still working with pieces left over from the Bowden, O’Brien and Krivsky years.

Likewise with Bob Castellini. We are still recovering from the Linder (error) era. Castellini and Jocketty will make this team a contender. It will just take patience from the fan base, if they have any left to give.

For the first time in a while, we actually have solid, young pitching. We have a deep and talented farm system. What we need now, is fan support from true fans. Not fair-weather fans, true fans.

I foresee great things to come. Hopefully, I’ll see you at the Great American Ball Park in August and September.

And for years to come in October, also.

Go Redlegs!

PS – What is everyone’s obsession with Jonny Gomes? The guy is a lifetime .230 hitter-Enough said.

Fantasy Baseball Rookie: First Impressions

Ryan Andrew — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:33:35 -0400

Brad Lidge—Who are you?

I mean, really, who are you? As a player, I would like to know who you are and what role you will have on my first ever fantasy baseball team. Are you still the dominant Brad Lidge who sealed the deal for the Phillies in last year's World Series? Or will you revert back to the Lidge of early 2007?

This is one of many burning questions I have as I approach opening day of my inaugural fantasy baseball season.

As I scan my roster, I can’t help but be a little nervous.

David Ortiz—Can you tack on a few more homers with Manny gone?

Jay Bruce—Can you live up to the hype that Cincinnati fans have bestowed upon you?

Maybe it wasn’t so wise to set my draft on auto-pilot. The hand dealt to me wasn’t exactly All-Star caliber, with a few exceptions.

Maybe, though, my roster is the last thing I should be worried about. Maybe, my focus should be more on exactly how to play.

This isn’t exactly fantasy football. My game time strategy on the fantasy gridiron included plenty of mid-week planning before Sunday.

For the great pastime, I will need to be thinking constantly. Every morning and night I will want to study my players' and my opponents’ weaknesses.

First things first, I should probably learn exactly what stats will score points for me.

With two weeks left until opening day, I suppose I could try to find a few good steals in free agency. I suppose that would mean learning how the waiver process works.

So much to learn, so little time. All tips and suggestions for building a winning team are welcome!

I’ll trade you Brad Lidge for a guaranteed playoff spot.

Is Butler the Next Duke?

Ryan Andrew — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:20:08 -0400

They play in an historic basketball venue. Their history stretches back to the 19th century. They are drenched in basketball tradition. Who does this describe? Duke or Butler?

Their coach is one of only three in NCAA history to win 30 games his first season on the bench. He has a career winning percentage of over 80 percent. He was hired into his position at the ripe age of 31 with little fanfare. Who are you thinking of? Coach K or Brad Stevens?

If you guessed Butler and Brad Stevens, you are correct my friend. Does this mean Butler is the next Duke?

Not so fast. Don’t think I’m trying to put Butler or Brad Stevens on the same tier as the Blue Devils and their Hall of Fame coach. Not yet, anyway.

Duke has had tremendous basketball success, reaching back to the 1930s and 1940s when they dominated the former Southern Conference and were founding members of the ACC. This success was rejuvenated by Coach K in the 1980s through today.

They have reached cult status—loved and hated equally by the masses. Conference and national championships have been plentiful. Sure, these are mighty big shoes to fill.

But it wasn’t always this way.

Coach K started his tenure at Duke in less than stellar fashion. Look it up. The rest is history thanks to the school’s decision to stick with their coach for one more season. Duke basketball as we know it really began 29 years ago, when Coach K accepted the position.

Who is to say that, over the next 29 years, Butler can’t be the next Duke?

As universities, Butler and Duke are very similar. They are both academically elite. They are similar in size and demographic.

As basketball programs, they both play their own unique brand of basketball. Duke has made tremendous strides as a program since the early 1980s, and the record books can prove it. Butler is showing signs of becoming a Division One mainstay and has great potential.

Why can’t Butler be the next Duke?

That question I cannot answer. However, I can tell you how Butler can be the next Duke.

The key to this happening is Brad Stevens. Butler must retain Brad Stevens.

The dilemma is similar to the one Duke faced after the 1982-'83 season, in deciding to retain Coach K.

The problem for Butler is that a larger school will try to hire away Coach Stevens. An offer is bound to come soon. In 1997, Butler made its first NCAA tournament in 35 years under Barry Collier. They qualified three times in four years before Collier was wooed away by Nebraska.

Then began the coaching carousel. Thad Matta, one year. Xavier called. Todd Lickliter, five years. Say hello to Iowa. Now, Brad Stevens is one of the hottest young coaches in the game. It is only a matter of time.

The question at hand though: Is Butler the next Duke?

You might say that Butler already is Duke. From 30 years ago. When the Duke we know was in its infancy. When Coach K was cutting his teeth. But would that have happened to Duke if Coach K would have left?

What will happen to Butler if Coach Stevens leaves? I’m sure they’ll bring in someone else from the Butler family to maintain stability for a few years. But if that happens again, Butler will never be the next Duke.

I wonder if Brad Stevens can fight the temptation to leave for the big bucks. I wonder if athletic director Barry Collier can pony up a few more dollars to retain his talented coach.

If this happens, I truly believe Butler is the next Duke.

I have an amazing amount of respect for Coach K and what he has done with the Duke program. I would love the opportunity, in 30 years, to be able to say the same thing regarding Coach Stevens and the Butler program.

Why This College Hoops Fan Hates the BCS (And College Basketball Reporters)

Ryan Andrew — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:17:10 -0400

By definition, the BCS was designed to give the top two teams in college football an opportunity to compete in the “National Championship Game.” I first learned this 10 years ago when the system was controversially put into place.

After years of controversy, the meaning of the BCS faded to the back of my mind, until a cold December day in 2008. The definition and meaning of the BCS was hotly debated that afternoon by my father and my brother-in-law (no names to protect the guilty!) in the middle of the Ohio State/Notre Dame basketball game.

Yes, a college football debate, while in the stands AT a college basketball game, in Lucas Oil (football) Stadium, in Indianapolis (a basketball town).

Next thing you know, fueled by his umpteenth beer, my brother-in-law stood and faced the Irish Fans and yelled, “FAT FOOTBALL COACH!” in reference to Charlie Weis. Because, apparently, that has everything to do with basketball and of course, the BCS.

This morning, I went to Wikipedia and also to the official BCS website. I wanted to know for sure of the absolute meaning of the term BCS.

Yes, it is meant to pair the two best teams for the championship. What about Utah? We won’t get into that debate.

Yes, for the most part it only includes the six major conferences. What, no MAC schools?

The BCS relies on computers too much. Say what!

I could go on and on.

The BCS has its support and its criticism. There will always be controversies. But that is not what makes me angry about the BCS. Oh no.

I have a far greater problem with the BCS.

What does BCS stand for? BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES. Bowl, as in Rose Bowl. Bowl, as in Fiesta Bowl. Orange Bowl. Sugar Bowl. Bowl as in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl! Bowl Championship Series as in FOOTBALL!

Why does BCS suddenly translate to basketball? I enjoy reading the columns of FOXSports.com Senior Writer Jeff Goodman. But when I heard him on the Steve Czaban Show this morning talking about how Western Kentucky knocked off a BCS team in Illinois, I lost a little respect.

If Digger Phelps tells me again that Memphis isn’t a No. 1 seed because they don’t play in a BCS conference, I will puke.

Do me a solid—Google “BCS and Basketball.” See what comes up. The BCS may have been created to stir up controversy in college football, but the thought of that sort of evil infiltrating MY basketball makes me cringe.

Does this make sense? Is it too difficult to report accurately on the sport of your so-called expertise? The last time I checked, the NCAA and BCS did not want a playoff—so please, keep your stinking BCS out of my Bracketology reports.