I'm curious. The Mariners are 19-31. While they're not completely out of it, their odds of success are lower than Sean White's strikeout rate, and it's looking like 2010 will end up being the 34th consecutive year that the M's have fallen short of the World Series. As such, I'm wondering how this community is choosing to respond. When their team's no good, a lot of people choose to bandwagon. Who's yours? Do you have one at all?
0 recs | 160 comments
I'm voting for the Blackhawks.
F Philly.
Brian Sullivan - June 1, 2010
You don't even root for the Mariners
Jeff Sullivan - June 1, 2010
Way jump on the bandwagon after a 2-0 lead
Alexander Calloway - June 1, 2010
Whoever voted for the Yankees
I assume you are voting ironically.
TrashiDawa - June 1, 2010
Sometimes it's nice to see the smartest team win
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
It's easy to be smart when you're rich
That said, I’m not sure if it’s easier to be poor and dumb, or rich and dumb. Because the M’s aren’t exactly poor, but we sure are dumb right now.
HititHere - June 1, 2010
Our front office is pretty far from dumb
Aaron Campeau - June 1, 2010
Ok, I'm overreacting
But… Sean White! Ugh.
HititHere - June 1, 2010
They sure are acting like it
Alexander Calloway - June 1, 2010
The problem right now is that, while there is certainly a truckload of blame earmarked for someone,
it isn’t clear where in the chain of command that blame should be heaped. I’d love to believe that the GMZ and friends are being entirely screwed by Wak, but that can’t be entirely true. I’d love to believe that GMZ is clean and it’s HowChuck ruining everything but then I remember that HowChuck essentially can’t be fired since the ownership is absent so that is an even more depressing possibility.
abender20 - June 1, 2010
True
But I don’t know what’s worse, Wak and Jack screwing up this season, or the ownership screwing the team with Wak and Jack having their hands tied. Either way I do believe this team will bounce back next year. I just want this season to be over.
Alexander Calloway - June 1, 2010
Understanding how to use your advantages is a pretty clear sign of intelligence
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
Understanding how to succeed despite your disadvantages is a clearer sign.
ToddK - June 1, 2010
I voted 'None' but if I absolutely had to pick a team, it would be the Yankees.
I love their roster and the way they are run.
EnglishMariner - June 1, 2010
Is it wierd that I'm both a Yankees and a Mariners fan?
Mejeh - June 1, 2010
My house is split between these two
Mrs. SSD is a big Yankee fan through family allegiance.
I still voted “none” though.
seattlesundevil - June 1, 2010
Me too.
SeaKoala - June 1, 2010
Nope.
That’s three of us.
harkening - June 1, 2010
I'm just a glutton for punishment I guess.
I’ve never been in a city when the local team makes a run to a championship game/series. If the Mariners can’t do it, I’d like to see the Royals so I can at least know what that experience is like.
KC Mariner - June 1, 2010
It sucks because then you lose and your heart feels like it has literally been ripped from your body and you don't breathe for about three minutes
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
The only time I got close to that feeling was when the Seahawks lost to the Steelers.
But I spent every part of that season up to a week before the game out of the country, so I never really was invested in the team. It would suck to come that close and pour your heart into the season only to get it taken away, but I’d still like to know what the ride feels like.
KC Mariner - June 1, 2010
Your memory fails you
The Seahawks beat the Steelers handily in Super Bowl XL. Unfortunately there was a clerical error and the actual, physical trophy ended up in Pittsburgh, and David Letterman mistakenly booked Roethlisberger. But make no mistake, we won that game.
dlukas - June 1, 2010
That wouldn't surprise me.
After the “illegal block” call against Hasselbeck I started drinking very heavily.
KC Mariner - June 1, 2010
The Seattle edition of Lonely Planet insists that the Seahawks won that game.
katal - June 1, 2010
Funny.
Because they did. >:(
harkening - June 1, 2010
GOD
Robert - June 1, 2010
No bandwagon for me.
M’s or no one for me, even if I have to wait another 34 years.
JLProck - June 1, 2010
I guess I'll pick a team I'd prefer to win once the Series is set, though.
JLProck - June 1, 2010
Amen to that.
sanford_and_son - June 1, 2010
I voted Rays, but it will be the team Lee is traded to.
Unless he goes to the Red Sox.
Jed MC - June 1, 2010
Doesn't Lee make, like 25% of their payroll
Alexander Calloway - June 1, 2010
Pena and Crawford make more than Lee.
Teej - June 1, 2010
You think Tampa will be willing to give those two up?
Alexander Calloway - June 1, 2010
They wouldn't be where they are today if they were.
JLProck - June 1, 2010
Redsredsreds
Griffin Cooper - June 1, 2010
I should say the Padres, but I still can't get into it.
I voted Blue Jays. Canada rules, and a terrible Blue Jays sweatshirt was the first piece of pro-sports-branded attire I ever owned, a hand-me-down from a cousin before I even knew what baseball was. And I rocked that shit. Plus Ricky Romero and hella dingers.
Teej - June 1, 2010
Padres fever!
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
Though I am reluctant to actually root for the Padres because I could see myself getting really into it
and I don’t think I’d ever want to think of myself as rooting for two different teams
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
I declined to vote because I already have a bunch of Padres gear
lemonverbena - June 1, 2010
It's way easier from afar
Jeff Sullivan - June 1, 2010
I guess I'll just bandwagon the Mariners then since I moved away from Seattle
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
stupid
i accidently picked Royals instead of Rockies
marinerschas2 - June 1, 2010
What's wrong with the Royals?
That George Brett blowup from 1983 is worth about 30 years of bandwagoning, IMO.
HititHere - June 1, 2010
Its a Todd Helton
Plus I hear that Ubaldo kid is decentmarinerschas2 - June 1, 2010
I kind of enjoy the Rockies too
But I have a Charlie-Brown-esque love in my heart for the Royals since basically the whole team is made up of Mariners castoffs and rejects.
HititHere - June 1, 2010
Rockies, definitely.
I love the young core of talent they’ve assembled and it seems they have an intelligent and forward-thinking front office. Plus, Ubaldo is the pimp shit. Sorry katal, you’ve been replaced.
wyte_lightning - June 1, 2010
That was my choice and reasoning too.
Although Fowler was just sent down.
Schuxu - June 1, 2010
Not so sure
I think they are more of an old-school team that’s run well. Maybe intelligent in that way, but wouldn’t say forward thinking.
Freneau - June 1, 2010
Phillies.
The combination of Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, and Jayson Werth is enough to keep me interested. The added bonus of CHOOOOOOOOCH always helps.
abender20 - June 1, 2010
I've always loved how Halladay pitches, and they've got some other guys
who aren’t bad. And Moyer.
ignacio - June 1, 2010
But they should stick to the classic uniforms home and away
with red caps
ignacio - June 1, 2010
I really don't want to support the Twins
But I’m about to move to Minneapolis and Joe Mauer is dreamy
wetzelcoal - June 1, 2010
Minneapolis is reason enough to root for the Twins
Love that city.
E-Lizz - June 1, 2010
The Phillies, only because I'm from a family of Phanatics and my parents have season tix.
If I could choose it would be the Reds, but since I’m at Citizens Bank Park anywhere between 1 and 7 times a week during the summer, I might as well just hop on that bandwagon.
flashbeak - June 1, 2010
Also how can you not support a team that lets Jamie Moyer get at bats
wetzelcoal - June 1, 2010
Go Rays!
Poochie - June 1, 2010
Actually it will be all about the Rangers on the day we're eliminated
Poochie - June 1, 2010
Rooting for the Rangers is rooting for the future demise of the Mariners and I won't support that.
Fuck you and fuck your future traiteration.
abender20 - June 1, 2010
We don't need no future traiteration in this dancery.
abender20 - June 1, 2010
But they've never won
Poochie - June 1, 2010 via mobile
Don't fucking root for one of the three teams that are as historically inept as we are.
Robert - June 1, 2010
wut
vivaelpujols - June 1, 2010
Oh
evanr - June 1, 2010
I was just talking about this with a friend last night.
I always root for the Cardinals, so that’s not really bandwagoning per se and I hate watching the NL for the most part so it’s AL only. I still like the Rays but they’re not as fun now that they’ve been good for a period of time. I don’t want to root for anyone in the West and the Central bored me to tears. So I guess Blue Jays? But really, how likely is that?
Aaron Campeau - June 1, 2010
It would almost be neat if we could root for our own team.
abender20 - June 1, 2010
Like Franklin.
abender20 - June 1, 2010
I'm always the Giants in BMO so I've attached myself to them.
Plus the fact that they are good with Brian Sabean and we are bad with Jack Zduriencik is further proof that the only divine plan that God has is us being unhappy.
Robert - June 1, 2010
Also the Cardinals, Mets and Twins are pretty neat.
Robert - June 1, 2010
Come on Royals!
Although if I had to choose a team that’s in contention it would be “none”
Corco - June 1, 2010
Who is with me, My Pirates Brother!!
msb - June 1, 2010
Colorado Rockies.
I’ve never really understood people who root for multiple teams or have an AL and NL team, but if I had to choose a team that’s my “second team” it would be the Rockies. I’ve always liked them, probably because some of my first live pro baseball experiences came from the Northwest League Portland Rockies when I was young.
And nowadays, the Rockies have a really fun squad packed with young talent.
JonBBT - June 1, 2010
Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco
I live in the Bay Area, so logic should say San Francisco, but fuck Tim Lincecum because of that hair.
OceanBird - June 1, 2010
As of right now, four people deserve to be burned at the stake
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
And neither Goose or Ozzie Guillen has voted
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
You lump me in with Ozzie Guillen?
I’m not sure how to take that.
Goose - June 1, 2010
Neither the White Sox or Diamondback had votes at the time!
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
or hit by a drunk driver.
Fin - June 1, 2010
Or both
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
Or break their wrist celebrating voting for the Angels
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
Definitely the Reds.
Though probably not really bandwagoning since I already root for them, I just don’t follow them like the Mariners.
Torrid - June 1, 2010
No Brewers love?
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
Nah.
I’m happy when (if) they succeed, but I really don’t have any ties to Milwaukee – I certainly don’t plan on coming back once I graduate. And I’m not very partial to Miller Park.
Torrid - June 1, 2010
Twinkies!
Partially because of the Morneau/Mauer lefty mashup they got going on. I often think how much they’d kick ass in Safeco.
kentroyals5 - June 1, 2010
They're doing just that all week!
sanford_and_son - June 1, 2010
Before the Mariners set up regional radio coverage, the Twins and the Brewers were on all the time.
A.M. stations out of Boise. It used to be really difficult to follow the Mariners outside the box score in the sports page.
Kermit. - June 1, 2010
And now with cable, Boise has no AM baseball coverage
at least not until Hawks season.
yuniform - June 1, 2010
No bandwagon for me.
Although I’ve been watching the Brewers lately because they’ve been going through the struggles that have led them to be below expectations just like the Mariners have. If the Brewers can climb out of their hole that would be a team who’s bandwagon I’d join.
ThundaPC - June 1, 2010
I don't want another incompetent and spiteful baseball wife.
I want a hot several-month fling.
abender20 - June 1, 2010
Is there any way
To vote from mobile? Just curious because I do a lot of my reading of this site from my phone it does not allow me to cast my vote on the polls.
Paseman - June 1, 2010 via mobile
Kermit would be proud with my vote for the Twinkies.
If I was able to, I’d also vote for the Rays.
melenious - June 1, 2010
Rays & Rockies! Coincidentally, those were my preseason WS picks
Reds and Twins would be next, just for studs like Morneua and Brandon Phillips
blueside714 - June 1, 2010
Morneau....
blueside714 - June 1, 2010
Thinking about, I really have no 'second' or bandwagon team. I have but only one true love... even if they disappoint. Over. And Over. And over.
I guess once the playoffs start, and the underdogs have been identified, I will jump on a bandwagon at that time. But right now, I really don’t give a crap about the Reds or the Rockies or the Padres, or anyone that is not the M’s.
Example, in 03/04, I was rooting for the Red Sox to win the WS. Now I can’t stand them… they, particularly their fans, are Yankees version 2.0.
Last couple of years it’s been the Rays, because, well, duh.
I would have voted for “Whoever plays the Yankees in the Playoffs/WS.”
josh_h - June 1, 2010
I vote for whoever doesn't wear the damn champagne goggles
And that immediately rules out Mark Teixeira’s doofy mug.
HititHere - June 1, 2010
Orioles are my dark horse.
waldo rojas - June 1, 2010
They're the team I want to root for, but they're so awful this year that it's pretty pointless.
But in the coming years I’ll be hoping they somehow find a way into the playoffs.
Teej - June 1, 2010
I always want to root for them
But dear God, fuck Peter Angelos with a red-hot spork.
Robert Lintott - June 1, 2010
I still have a soft spot for the Rays...
BrettJMiller - June 1, 2010
The Rays
Because fuck the Yankees, fuck the Red Sox and I don’t think Toronto has a prayer (otherwise go Toronto). Still, bandwagon interest is “oh hey, they won” while glancing at the sports page. Not watching/listening to the games.
Drew_D - June 1, 2010
As long as the Jays are close, I can get behind them.
Unfortunately, I can’t watch their games on TV, because Buck Martinez makes me want to eat my own brain.
Llewdor - June 1, 2010
Nationals, since I'm here in DC
They’re a sneaky good club, I think, and could be great in a few years. Nyjer is fun to watch, Ryan Zimmerman is one of my favorite players, Ian Desmond looks like he should be interesting. Plus, Strasburg should be amazing to watch.
I want nothing to do with another team in the long-run, but living in a city makes it hard to avoid that team’s coverage. So since I read about them all the time and they are vaguely interesting, I think it has to be the Nats for my bandwagon. The problem is, I’m a terrible bandwagon fan. It doesn’t feel organic, so I don’t root that well for other teams.
Robert Lintott - June 1, 2010
Nats!
This bandwagonning has just developed for me this year. I was trying to pick between the Rockies, Twins, Rays, and Braves. But I decided on the Nats because I love Zim, Willingham, Nyjer, and Dunn. The only thing that makes it somewhat difficult is the fact that fucking Miguel Batista is on the team. So I think that coincides with the fact that a lot of my bandwagonning is out of sympathy and a desire to see them overcome adversity.
Matt Erickson - June 1, 2010
I'll be in DC for six weeks starting in July so I look forward (I think?) to seeing some Nats action soon.
Torrid - June 1, 2010
Rays are the easy choice through the season, but I may be conflicted in the postseason.
I voted Rangers, but they weren’t first place for me by very much. I never thought I’d be rooting for an AL West rival. Obviously I have reasons to see the Rangers do poorly, but if they make it to the playoffs, I’m going to have a hard time not rooting for them. They’re a smart organization and they have a fun team to root for with very little in the way of annoying players (Michael Young the biggest exception).
Double06 - June 1, 2010
No team.
I’ll cheer for the division races to be as close as possible through July for the sake of the Mariners being able to pull a heist via trade, but in August and September I expect to find myself pretty indifferent to the playoff races.
When the playoffs begin I’ll cheer for the underdog in each round.
katal - June 1, 2010
I might cheer for the Rangers during the playoffs if only because a Texas World Series appearance is going to get people talking about how the M's are one of two teams to have never been there.
Which I hope in turn will put pressure on our FO to not suck.
katal - June 1, 2010
Yeah but it will also make Texas a fuckton of money which is the one thing they don't have
Aaron Campeau - June 1, 2010
"fuckton" is a good word
ignacio - June 1, 2010
Rays and Brew Crew.
Mariner Melee - June 1, 2010
Rays and Rockies.
They both have a ton of fun players and are good teams and I don’t hate them for some irrational reason.
I have other players I’ll root for but they’re mostly on bad teams (hi Andrew Mccutchen!).
lailaihei - June 1, 2010
I wnat all the teams to win except for the Angels
seattlebruin - June 1, 2010
This is the best possible answer to this post.
Kirk - June 1, 2010 via mobile
I find it hard to hate Texas.
I actually kind of like them. As long as the Angels don’t make the playoffs, I’m okay with Texas or Oakland making it. I’d even root for them.
killer_ewok18 - June 1, 2010
I've a Reds fan about as long as I've been a Mariners fan, so they get my vote
ungoreatstefan - June 1, 2010
The Rockies because I used to root for them before I moved to Seattle.
Also because they have Jason Giambi and Ubaldo Jimenez is the tits.
If it wasn’t for the Rockies I’d root for the Giants because of Tim Lincecum (I have a thing for pitchers).
Kirk - June 1, 2010 via mobile
I'm really surprised the Reds don't have more votes.
flashbeak - June 1, 2010
The Athletics.
I’m not sure why I’m so fond of them, but when the Mariners no longer have a shot, I can’t help but root for the A’s. Maybe it’s the underdog element or something.
Jackle Mackle - June 1, 2010
Yeah, maybe it's because they suck.
flashbeak - June 1, 2010
Wow.
sanford_and_son - June 1, 2010
Don't get me wrong
I still root against the A’s when the Mariners still have even an iota of a chance of making it, but when the Mariners are finished, I start liking the A’s. I can’t explain it, I don’t like that I like a division rival, but I do.
Jackle Mackle - June 1, 2010
Bash Brothers 4 eva!!!
sanford_and_son - June 1, 2010
I'm too young for that
Jackle Mackle - June 1, 2010
Moneyball got me into sabermetrics so maybe that's it
Jackle Mackle - June 1, 2010
Damn!
Am I that old? That makes me feel really old!
JLProck - June 1, 2010
Maybe :(
I was born the year after the phrase was coined in 1987.
Jackle Mackle - June 1, 2010
Rays
Living in Durham certainly doesn’t hurt.
ningwers - June 1, 2010
I'm going to root for the total collapse of the global economy instead.
Seems more likely than a baseball team I care about winning anything.
Sec 108 - June 1, 2010
One for the Cubs
I hate winning.
Jesus Jones - June 1, 2010
Living in Portland I can get the Giants games on the radio, so It would be pretty easy to switch,
But I voted Phillies because of Jamie Moyer.
FairWeatherFred - June 1, 2010
Every team has at least one vote
Screw you, groupthink! Good on you, Orioles fan! And White Sox fan!
pdb - June 1, 2010
You forgot one...
my own fantasy team. If the M’s are done, I focus all my attention on my Fantasy teams.
Lucas Cervi - June 1, 2010
nobody cares about your fantasy team.
pdb - June 1, 2010
Went with the Rays, they have been a fun team to follow the past few years.
Heydude - June 1, 2010
The Reds
Because they win despite having Miguel Cairo
MT Olson - June 1, 2010
Miguel Cairo is still a major league baseball player!?
BigR - June 1, 2010
My god, he is.
And above replacement level at that….
BigR - June 1, 2010
That's because he used to be a Mariner
Many former Mariners perform above replacement level, once they become former Mariners instead of current Mariners.
On further review, actually, Cairo was .2 WAR in 2008 as a Mariner. That matches his 2009 total, and his 2010 total thus far. Who woulda thunk?
HititHere - June 1, 2010
What'll really blow your mind is that he's actually been worth his salary
For the past 3 years.
MT Olson - June 1, 2010
Giants.
The Mariners but with better pitching!
Mariner John - June 1, 2010
Mets
I just made a new friend who’s inexplicably a huge Mets fan. Senseless fandom should be rewarded.
Also, Angel Pagan’s name is funny.
yuniform - June 1, 2010
Well, I voted for none
But the vote got tallied under “Dodgers” so I guess I will root for the Dodgers? SBN seems to be telling me something.
seattlesundevil - June 1, 2010
It's hard. I kind of like our division rivals (Texas and Oakland), but I can't get myself to bandwagon them.
So my vote goes to no one, but I’d root for the Rays in the playoffs.
CapSea - June 1, 2010
Rockies and Marlins are my NL teams of choice.
But I voted for the Nationals because holy shit Strasburg.
Benne - June 1, 2010
Rockies! I've always had a soft spot for them, and Ubaldo is all tits and sunshine
Also the Brewers (holy shit I love Ryan Braun), but I can’t see them in the playoffs with their pitching.
Alto - June 1, 2010
Rays and Phillies
Tampa because every time I watch a Rays game, I am reminded what good baseball looks like. There hasn’t been much of that to see in Seattle this season.
Phillies because I want Roy Hallady to go to the world series and dominate New York. It is his destiny.
E2ESQUARE - June 1, 2010
Cardinals cause Pujols is so fun to watch.
brayden04 - June 1, 2010
I voted Rockies but ehh
If this option was there: 102 days ‘til the first regular season Sunday of NFL
I would’ve picked that.
This season has exceeded my previous notion of its realm of disappointment.
Rich Langford - June 1, 2010
I agree with the second part of this.
Robert - June 1, 2010
I root for the Twins when the Mariners have no chance at the playoffs.
My mom is from Minnesota, so I grew up rooting for the Twins whenever they were in the World Series. That minute piece of fandom has always stuck with me.
seattle_since_81 - June 1, 2010
Uniforms are a big determinant, then individual pitchers
so Roy Halladay, then interest in U. Jimenez and Strasburg
ignacio - June 1, 2010
I'm a Mariners and Braves fan
If both fall completely out of contention, I suppose I’d root for the Royals even though they’re not going anywhere since I’m originally from Kansas. If not them, then maybe the Twins just because I’m obsessed with Minnesota and want to move there.
E-Lizz - June 1, 2010
The Rays need to knock out one of either the Yankees or Redsox from the postseason.
Also, the Orioles were cool once upon a time!
Boz86 - June 1, 2010
Nationals, only because I want to see Strasburg.
Otherwise, I would have picked “none”.
micky D - June 1, 2010
Twins!
Was just discussing this with a coworker last week and he’s going with the Braves. $100 bet on the line to see which team ends up with more wins at seasons end.
Also, fuck the DBacks. Are you fucking kidding me? Trade for Dontrelle Willis and then start discussing trading away Haren? Fuck that team.
Goose - June 1, 2010
So I guess that trade isn't all bad because all they gave up was Buckner, who sucks and the Tigers paid like 95% of his contract. So whatever.
Maybe he can be semi useful in a worse league. But god help them if they trade Haren.
Goose - June 1, 2010
Oops, I didn't realize "none" was an option
or I would have picked that. I chose the Rays because they’re the team I most want to do well because that lowers the Yankees’ chances. But I don’t follow them or watch their games or anything, unlike the hapless Mariners.
rolando74 - June 1, 2010
I think everyone already knows my answer.
STRAAAAAASSSSBUUUURRRRGGGG!!!
(I have tickets! Flying home to see him! Behind the dugout! WOOOOOO!!!)
esoteric - June 1, 2010
Although I suppose they don't really count as a bandwagon team for me, since I've always been a fan.
esoteric - June 1, 2010
I've had a soft spot for the Braves since '95.
After the Indians knocked the M’s out in the ALCS I really wanted them to suffer. Ever since then the Braves have been my NL team.
Vatinius - June 1, 2010
Braves
I was born in Bremerton in 86 but spent 95% of my life til about 3 years ago in Georgia. I always followed both teams, and I was young in 95 but that was the year I fell in love with baseball. Both teams have a special place with me. I would love to clone Heyward so both teams could have him. Would love an outfield of Ichrio, Gutierrez and J-Hey
n.crees - June 2, 2010
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