Gary Matthews, Jr. "Yankees fans have more class than Boston fans"

5teamparlay · Aug 14, 2007

RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Harsh words heard from coast to coast

By Gordon Edes, Globe Staff | August 14, 2007
There was some Red Sox bashing in the air over the weekend, some that didn't have anything to do with Eric Gagné, Terry Francona, or Theo Epstein.
Orioles broadcaster Joe Angel ripped Fenway Park during the Sox-Orioles game Sunday, calling it a "toilet," while in Anaheim, Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. made certain his visit to Boston this weekend won't be overlooked, as he ripped Sox fans.
"They're loud, they're drunk, they're obnoxious," Matthews told a cluster of reporters, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
"They're one of the few places you'll hear racial comments . . . it's just different."
Matthews, who actually said he enjoyed playing in Boston and was smiling through much of his riff, was responding to a question about why the Angels have fared so poorly on their visits here. Since May 18, 2003, the Angels are 4-15 at Fenway.
"It's different from New York," said Matthews. "Yankee fans are passionate about their teams, but they're a little more couth. They have a little more class than Boston fans. At least in New York they appreciate guys who play the game hard and play the game right and they let you know it.
"In Boston, they just smack you for three straight days. They're just dogging you there the whole time. It's a different place."
Meanwhile, veteran broadcaster Angel, responding to characterizations of Oriole Park at Camden Yards as "Fenway South" because of all the Sox fans there this weekend, said that was an insult to Camden Yards, which is a "beautiful ballpark" while Fenway is "basically a toilet."
Several Sox fans listening to the Orioles broadcast e-mailed the Globe to note Angel's remark.

RobFunk · Aug 14, 2007

The Fenway fans stood up and gave Dave Roberts a standing O and then booed Barry.

That right there proves to me Boston fans are more intelligent than 90% of MLB fans.

"In Boston, they just smack you for three straight days" well, he is right about that.

themanej2001 · Aug 14, 2007

Dsethi said:
how does that prove they are intelligent? They rooted for a guy that was a hero and helped them win a world series, then booed the most hated man in baseball. Smart? More like obvious.

I thought it was hilarious when I was at Fenway earlier this year and a Boston fan told me that no one in the AL had a chance of contending with the BoSox for the AL pennant, ESPECIALLY the Detroit Tigers.

90% of Boston fans are stupid, just like 90% of fans in general are stupid.

How is the job going

Journeyman · Aug 14, 2007

Boston fans are delusional for the most part.

Rev_Al · Aug 14, 2007

Journeyman said:
Boston fans are delusional for the most part.

word...a vast majority.

festeringZit · Aug 15, 2007

Try wearing a Red Sox hat anywhere in Yankee stadium,
and you'll find out how intelligent Yankee fans are.

I'm not saying that you wouldn't get the same reaction
wearing a Yankee hat in Fenway.

You have F8cking idiots on both sides, as well as intelligent
fans.

RobFunk · Aug 15, 2007

Boston fans know the game. I can talk to any Red Sox fan and have an intricate discussion about the state of the team.

I dont care if you think we are 'obnoxious' or whatever. It's not about that. If I talk to a yankees fan they are dumb as rocks.

Shit, even the most naive Red Sox fan chic can tell you if Varitek is having a good year. Yanks fan chic isnt even sure if Posada is still a Yank.

ThePig+ · Aug 15, 2007

RobFunk said:
Boston fans know the game. I can talk to any Red Sox fan and have an intricate discussion about the state of the team.

I dont care if you think we are 'obnoxious' or whatever. It's not about that. If I talk to a yankees fan they are dumb as rocks.

Shit, even the most naive Red Sox fan chic can tell you if Varitek is having a good year. Yanks fan chic isnt even sure if Posada is still a Yank.

I grew up in new york city and surrounding areas and I knew dozens of people even kids that really knew the yanks inside out. There are a lot of yanks fans that are idiots, but a lot of those fans really know their stuff.

Journeyman · Aug 15, 2007

Yankees fans are not dumb Rob...not the hardcore fans...of course NY has way more fans than anyone else- so they will have more 'dumb' fans too.

Both teams have passionate fans, the difference is many Red Sox fans act as if the have won like the Yankees...yes the Red Sox have a nice winning tradition and especially lately, but they have one championship in a century and act (for know reason i can think of) that they're on the same level as NY.

Boston can't hold NY's jock in the grand scheme of baseball history and have not won nearly as much as they act like they have..... many , many, teams have won more than Boston.

For decades they didn't have a quality staff and were just a nice team who could score runs in their tiny park.

The arrogance of Boston's fans is what I've noticed for 30 years now, nothing new, finally won something is the only difference.

Brock Landers · Aug 15, 2007

Fenway is a Toilet, that park should be torn down...

RobFunk · Aug 15, 2007

I apologize. Look, I know there are a lot of intelligent Yanks fans out there. There are intelligent fans for every team in MLB. Or probably for any club in any sport for that matter.

I know we cant hold NY's jock in the history or the scheme of things, the Yankees are the most successful franchise in all of sports. I know that. All of us Sox fans do.

I just get offended when we get ragged on as fans. We are not just blindly following our teams, we know these guys and whats going on with the state of the club. We know when we suck, we know when were good. When know our chances and we know when we dont have any shot at all.

Boston fans arent arrogant, we are PROUD. There is a difference.

Right now we have a 5 game lead on the greatest team in all of sports. We are trying to fend them off. Anybody here will tell you that. The AL east teams dont lay down to each other. Thats the way it goes.

PO69 · Aug 15, 2007

Gary Matthews hit the nail on the head.

I was shocked at some of the words that I heard in the only 3 games that I have ever seen at Fenway. It could be because so much more beer is drank at that stadium. I will attribute it to that

TomBrady#1 · Aug 15, 2007

Red Sox fans are tough no doubt about it. Barry LOVED the way he was treated here in the streets, He was surprised at how friendly people were. You have a few that can get out of hand no doubt but as a whole not like that.

I see a lot of jealousy too. People are jealous of the love affair of the Red Sox. Hey look at Baltimore, Roberts was pissed at how many Red Sox fans were in the stand and how they dominated the cheering. Also in Tampa and Oakland and more ballparks. RED SOX NATION RULES. You do not like it then tough. Easily one of the top few sports cities and top few baseball cities in the country. Easily. Journey leads the jealousy pack. He is so full of nonsense and Red Sox hatred it is laughable. He throws nonsense did after nonsense dig. meanwhile Baltimore has half the seats as Red Sox fans. I have seen some comments here that are so far fetched. Journey (the king of nonsense) said it is HARD to watch the Red Sox meanwhile that weekend they broke the ESPN record for viewers in a Red Sox/ yanks game. HUH LMAO? THey also dominate his cities fans in Baltimore. Journey is not the only one but is clueless and jealous of the Red Sox and makes ZERO SENSE. Others too.

The Sox are the best. The fans are the best (but ferociously tough at times)... and many players have stated the same thing. You don't like it then too bad.

Journeyman · Aug 15, 2007

Brady...you are a joke, I have defended Boston on this website for years, you ome along a few months ago and now you know everything about me...what a clown....When I say anything back though I'm the bad guy and of course you were just joking...go back to looking for the next person to take a shot at.

One minute you cant figure out how to use your own banks ATM like a guy from Mars ,now you're an expert on everything.

TomBrady#1 · Aug 15, 2007

There is a complete conflict in REALITY wo what is BEING SAID HERE AT THE RX.

Journey said it is hard to watch the Red Sox games at this point and shortly after on ESPN they BREAK the record for viewing in a baseball game. He is so far wrong obviously it is not laughable. Think about that. Meanwhile The Red Sox DOMINATE other ballpark fans and cheering. This has gone on time and time again. If someone does not like ther Red Sox fine. That can happen. Just so not make up things that are not true. It is more jealousy than anything else. Red Sox are on quite a run the last few years. Free agents want to come here, fans want to come out and the viewing is at an all time high. RED SOX NATION RULES!

TomBrady#1 · Aug 15, 2007

Journeyman said:
Brady...you are a joke, I have defended Boston on this website for years, you ome along a few months ago and now you know everything about me...what a clown....When I say anything back though I'm the bad guy and of course you were just joking...go back to looking for the next person to take a shot at.

One minute you cant figure out how to use your own banks ATM like a guy from Mars ,now you're an expert on everything.

GOod comeback. You want to throw nonsense dig after nonsense dig against the Red Sox (which you have done), then you are fair game. Your Red Sox hatred is unjustified and nonsense and I will call you out on it. Get your facts right!

VIEJODINOSAUR · Aug 15, 2007

You Red Sos fans ought to be a little more humble...I'm a Philly fan and like the Red Sox, have one championship in the last 30 years or so and you fans act like you win every year....enthusiasm is one thing, arrogance is another...but I do love a good argument or disagreement every now and then....and for starters Philly fans are much more knowledgeable than Red Sox Fans....LOL

docmercer · Aug 15, 2007

What an absolutely empty and sad life people must have that they reach the age of adulthood and still grasp onto the jocks of a hometown team with stuff like "RED SOX NATION RULES" as if a single player on that team would piss on your head if your hair was on fire. Hey, we're all fans, but to infer that the teams gives a flying f*** about things like loyalty etc, well, ask Damon I guess.

Some observations as someone who is neither a Sox or Yankees fan but who has attended games in both Fenway and Yankee Stadium.

1 - Fenway is an absolute shithole. Hey, lets paint it again - that'll kill the rats! Tell stories and sing of the glory of a small park and how it's all about history - not, it's still a dump. None of that changes the fact that there are nicer (and safer) ballparks in AAA. Storied history shouldn't have to include hepatitis shots with your ticket to the game.

2 - Yankees fans can be vulgar and pigs most definitely (more so than a lot of teams) - but nothing compares to the racial stuff I heard hurled in Boston. Not even close. That ugly reputation is sadly deserved. For someone to say Barry "LOVED" the way he was treated in Boston is a joke. He had a chance to sign with the Sox a few years back -- anyone recollect why he didn't? LOL - I do.

As far as attending a Yankees game - well, it's almost the same as attending a Rangers game at MSG. There is an instant arrogance of knowing you're not just in the most important city in the world - but in one of the most famous venues cheering for one of the most famous teams. Its contagious and I can understand how fans can get arrogant about things. Doesn't mean I have to cheer for them - but you can't tell me that it isn't contagious when they sing NYNY at a yankees game or Sweet Caroline when the Rangers are bringing home a win on home ice.

TomBrady#1 · Aug 15, 2007

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:
You Red Sos fans ought to be a little more humble...I'm a Philly fan and like the Red Sox, have one championship in the last 30 years or so and you fans act like you win every year....enthusiasm is one thing, arrogance is another...but I do love a good argument or disagreement every now and then....and for starters Philly fans are much more knowledgeable than Red Sox Fans....LOL

I like the passion in Phili myself. Great sports town though tough at times too like Boston. I never brag that the Sox are the best or going to win. I was only offsetting some of the anti Red Sox comments before it. I think if you check the posts of Funk and myself and Mr Smith (all SOx fans), they are pretty reasonable.

Phili has got to break this long hex sooner rather than late. Dubpoet has told me about it many times.

TomBrady#1 · Aug 15, 2007

ktvvegas said:
What an absolutely empty and sad life people must have that they reach the age of adulthood and still grasp onto the jocks of a hometown team with stuff like "RED SOX NATION RULES" as if a single player on that team would piss on your head if your hair was on fire. Hey, we're all fans, but to infer that the teams gives a flying f*** about things like loyalty etc, well, ask Damon I guess.

Some observations as someone who is neither a Sox or Yankees fan but who has attended games in both Fenway and Yankee Stadium.

1 - Fenway is an absolute shithole. Hey, lets paint it again - that'll kill the rats! Tell stories and sing of the glory of a small park and how it's all about history - not, it's still a dump. None of that changes the fact that there are nicer (and safer) ballparks in AAA. Storied history shouldn't have to include hepatitis shots with your ticket to the game.

2 - Yankees fans can be vulgar and pigs most definitely (more so than a lot of teams) - but nothing compares to the racial stuff I heard hurled in Boston. Not even close. That ugly reputation is sadly deserved. For someone to say Barry "LOVED" the way he was treated in Boston is a joke. He had a chance to sign with the Sox a few years back -- anyone recollect why he didn't? LOL - I do.

SO you are going to bring in the racecard huh? That is old news and what people who have no argument talk about. Can Johnny Cockroach be far behind. LOL.