Tell me if I'm overreacting [NESN/"Evil Empire"/Red Sox - mod]

[Mikey The Great]

Each night on the NESN Boston Red Sox pre-game show, they close the program out by announcing what's coming up on the post-game show. One of their segments is called the "State of the Empire" in which they show the Yankees highlights and update the standings. Obviously it's a play on words from Larry Lucchino's comment about the Yankees being an "Evil Empire." To top it off, they play the "Stars Wars" theme when the segment comes on.

I have a problem with this. I think it's bush league and immature. Lucchino's comments weren't funny. They were stupid, especially since the Red Sox blocked off an entire hotel's worth of rooms so they could shut other teams out from the Jose Contreras negotiations. The fact that NESN - regardless of the fact that they are a Red Sox network - would endorse and promote those comments is ridiculous.

Just one man's opinion.

[silverdsl]

Please start your threads in the proper forum. This one belongs in "Around the Majors" not "Inside the Lines" which is just for threads specifically about the Yankees play on the field.

-Deborah

[stevethesoxfan]

Originally posted by Mikey The Great
Each night on the NESN Boston Red Sox pre-game show, they close the program out by announcing what's coming up on the post-game show. One of their segments is called the "State of the Empire" in which they show the Yankees highlights and update the standings. Obviously it's a play on words from Larry Lucchino's comment about the Yankees being an "Evil Empire." To top it off, they play the "Stars Wars" theme when the segment comes on.

I have a problem with this. I think it's bush league and immature. Lucchino's comments weren't funny. They were stupid, especially since the Red Sox blocked off an entire hotel's worth of rooms so they could shut other teams out from the Jose Contreras negotiations. The fact that NESN - regardless of the fact that they are a Red Sox network - would endorse and promote those comments is ridiculous.

Just one man's opinion.

You're right and you're wrong.

I agree that it is a little childish and could be done more tastefully. However, this is the generation of "if it bleeds it leads", "sex sells", etc. Tom Werner is a co-owner of the Sox and if you were unaware, he produced The Cosby Show, Roseanne and other TV hits. He is audience-savvy as few people are. He knows that if he creates a Yankees segment, gives it a sexy name, and puts it on NESN, hardcore Sox fans will eat it up. It helps ratings, which bring in more money.

And, I'm only guessing here, but the Sox ownership group chuckles a little when they tweak George and get him riled up. I wouldn't be surprised if a secondary motive was to annoy George if he ever tunes in to check out the competition's on-air product.

[flutie22]

Originally posted by stevethesoxfan


You're right and you're wrong.

I agree that it is a little childish and could be done more tastefully. However, this is the generation of "if it bleeds it leads", "sex sells", etc. Tom Werner is a co-owner of the Sox and if you were unaware, he produced The Cosby Show, Roseanne and other TV hits. He is audience-savvy as few people are. He knows that if he creates a Yankees segment, gives it a sexy name, and puts it on NESN, hardcore Sox fans will eat it up. It helps ratings, which bring in more money.

And, I'm only guessing here, but the Sox ownership group chuckles a little when they tweak George and get him riled up. I wouldn't be surprised if a secondary motive was to annoy George if he ever tunes in to check out the competition's on-air product.

you ARE overreacting

[KP88]

Yeah, you're overreacting a little. While you may be (and probably are) right that it is a little immature, stevethesoxfan was 100% right when he said these ploys and catchy segment titles are to draw ratings. Then again, such a segment may be appropriate on this network, since every game, every pitch, every hit and every move the Yanks make is of big importance to we Sox fans. Such is the nature of the rivalry. The obsession to top the Yanks has never been greater, and I think you would agree to the reverse as a Yankee fan.

[Mikey The Great]

I don't punch the screen in frustration over it. I just think there's a more mature way to go about it. But you're right -- it's all about ratings.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

My advice, embace the "evil empire" thing. This is sports. It's fun. I have many more Sox fan buddies here in LA than fellow Yankee fans. I enjoy representing the evil empire.

[incarnadine]

I think you're overreacting.

It's just being cute. You know the music they play at Yankee stadium when introducing the lineups? "Imperial March" for the visitors, then "Rebel Fanfare" for the Yanks? Same thing.

I like it.

[longtimeyankeefan]

You're overreacting.

To me, the term "the Evil Empire" is a complement driven out of the frustration of being unable to build a winning tradition in Boston.

The funny thing is that, despite the fact that I have been a Yankee fan since 1961, my second favorite team is the Red Sox. In fact, except for myself, everyone in my family (six siblings and daughter) are all Red Sox fans.

[pacewon]

FWIW, I love the Yanks being called "The Evil Empire"

[Grape Ape]

It's awesome. It shows how obsessed the whole Sox culture is with our team. It's a true testament to them getting their butts handed to them so many times over the years. In NY, when the Sox leave town, they're gone. Up here, you can't go 15 minutes without hearing about the Yankees. Heck, they still go 10 minutes a day about Mo Vaughn.

It's great. Last year, they were talking about how they'd give up their front teeth for Vasquez, but, after he comes to NY, all they tallk about is how difficult it will be to adjust to the AL.

Don't be offended. Take it as a compliment.

[stevethesoxfan]

Originally posted by Grape Ape
Heck, they still go 10 minutes a day about Mo Vaughn.

Huh??????? What are you smoking??? I haven't heard a comment about Mo in eons around here.

Last year, they were talking about how they'd give up their front teeth for Vasquez, but, after he comes to NY, all they tallk about is how difficult it will be to adjust to the AL.

Again, please pass me whatever it is that you're taking hits from, cause it is really strong stuff. Most knowledgable Sox fans I know think that Vasquez is a great pickup and will do well for the Yanks. And um, pssst, I'll let you in on a little secret: if you hit "search" on this very site you can find many posts from Yankee fans about Vasquez' need for "adjustment".

There's no question that Sox fans talk about the Yanks. But all you need to do is take a look around this site, other Yankee sites, and the NY newspapers to see a similar NY fascination with the Sox.

[flutie22]

Vazquez? a lot of talk for someone who cant spell his name

[flutie22]

also mo vaughn isnt mentioned around here at all....why would he?

[Qlitch]

Originally posted by pacewon
FWIW, I love the Yanks being called "The Evil Empire"

damn straight. I have a t shirt that says EVIL EMPIRE.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally posted by Qlitch
damn straight. I have a t shirt that says EVIL EMPIRE.

Awsome, I need one xxl or even xxxl. Please PM me.

[YANKEE MAGIC]

Originally posted by pacewon
FWIW, I love the Yanks being called "The Evil Empire"

Same here...I don't really care what NESN does....

[Pomp]

Originally posted by stevethesoxfan


Huh??????? What are you smoking??? I haven't heard a comment about Mo in eons around here.



Again, please pass me whatever it is that you're taking hits from, cause it is really strong stuff. Most knowledgable Sox fans I know think that Vasquez is a great pickup and will do well for the Yanks.

Well Steve, I don't consider you one of the typical Sox fans. And when I say typical, I mean the WEEI crowd...Sully from Everett, John from Revere, etc, who only know how to say Yankees Suck.

On WEEI, I remember specifically many comments about how Vaz would have trouble adjusting to the AL.....

[NDBoston]

Originally posted by Pomp



Well Steve, I don't consider you one of the typical Sox fans. And when I say typical, I mean the WEEI crowd...Sully from Everett, John from Revere, etc, who only know how to say Yankees Suck.

On WEEI, I remember specifically many comments about how Vaz would have trouble adjusting to the AL.....

WEEI callers aren't typical Sox fans. They are unemployed, negative people. It's not unlike the people who call into WFAN

[tdel23]

I don't have a problem with this at all.

[Grape Ape]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Pomp



Well Steve, I don't consider you one of the typical Sox fans. And when I say typical, I mean the WEEI crowd...Sully from Everett, John from Revere, etc, who only know how to say Yankees Suck.

On WEEI, I remember specifically many comments about how Vaz would have trouble adjusting to the AL.....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



WEEI callers aren't typical Sox fans. They are unemployed, negative people. It's not unlike the people who call into WFAN

Yes, I got this stuff off EEI. And, yes, they were talking about Vaughn on Mustard and Johnson Saturday.

[AngelAstro]

Originally posted by incarnadine
You know the music they play at Yankee stadium when introducing the lineups? "Imperial March" for the visitors, then "Rebel Fanfare" for the Yanks?

I think the Yanks should really embrace the Evil Empire thing. Play the Imperial March when the Yanks take the field and have the team march out instead of run, it would be a hoot even if they just did it once.

[Qlitch]

Originally posted by AngelAstro
I think the Yanks should really embrace the Evil Empire thing. Play the Imperial March when the Yanks take the field and have the team march out instead of run, it would be a hoot even if they just did it once.

Whats funny is last year during the world series i saw a few people with darth vader helmets and light sabers.

[YanksFan#43]

Originally posted by Mikey The Great
Each night on the NESN Boston Red Sox pre-game show, they close the program out by announcing what's coming up on the post-game show. One of their segments is called the "State of the Empire" in which they show the Yankees highlights and update the standings. Obviously it's a play on words from Larry Lucchino's comment about the Yankees being an "Evil Empire." To top it off, they play the "Stars Wars" theme when the segment comes on.

I have a problem with this. I think it's bush league and immature. Lucchino's comments weren't funny. They were stupid, especially since the Red Sox blocked off an entire hotel's worth of rooms so they could shut other teams out from the Jose Contreras negotiations. The fact that NESN - regardless of the fact that they are a Red Sox network - would endorse and promote those comments is ridiculous.

Just one man's opinion.

I think the above posters are right. To wit: when it comes to NESN the governing rule is "if it bleeds it leads." Many RS fans would tune in to watch the "State of the Empire" to the theme of Star Wars. NESN knows this sort of thing means ratings, money, all that. There's no denying that way the Boston sports media gets the most bang for their buck is at the Yankee's expense. There's nothing you can do about that.

That said, I FEEL like Mikey does. I am a Yankee fan who happens to live in Boston. I am (admitedly) thin skinned. This is not to my advantage. The Evil Empire/Yankees Suck stuff bothers me. I'm sorry, I just can't embrace it. But that's just me. I do recognize, however, that the hater stuff comes with the territory; I personally just won't bow to it. I try to ignore it and be as respectful as I can.

My advice to you, Mikey, is if it bothers you just turn the TV off.

[hugelongtermdeal]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper
My advice, embace the "evil empire" thing. This is sports. It's fun. I have many more Sox fan buddies here in LA than fellow Yankee fans. I enjoy representing the evil empire.

this is a good way to look at it ... this is baseball, not life or death.

[Leesha]

Originally posted by AngelAstro
I think the Yanks should really embrace the Evil Empire thing. Play the Imperial March when the Yanks take the field and have the team march out instead of run, it would be a hoot even if they just did it once.

Heck, *I'd* laugh if they did it. Besides, the Imperial March is a great piece of music.

[Leesha]

And for what it's worth, though it is not a direct comparison, some of us Sox fans were all bent because a Yanks fan (sorry, I don't recall who) used Red Pox on this board. I replied that it's their board and they can do whatever they like. If it bugs you as a Sox fan, don't visit here. I should think the same thing applies to the Evil Empire thing, granted that it's much more publicized and seen by more people, etc. It is meant to be a Sox show, so it's obviously gonna have a Sox angle. If it bugs some Yanks fans so much, don't watch.


But again, that's just me being rational. I get hugely aggravated at those stupid daytime judge shows, but instead of sitting through them and getting angry, I turn them off. Problem solved.

P.S. Where I come from, Wal*Mart is the Evil Empire!

[Alex]

Why worry about it? They're free to do whatever homer-driven shtick all they want - is it any different than YES?

[WakefieldsKnuckler49]

I just have one question on the whole "evil empire" situation. When Bloomburg (or was it Pataki?) greeted A-Rod in NY, he announced "The Empire Strikes Back!" This implies that the Red Sox somehow struck. Can someone tell me when this happened and why someone didn't wake me up so I could see?

[Leesha]

This implies that the Red Sox somehow struck. Can someone tell me when this happened and why someone didn't wake me up so I could see?


Maybe he was referring to the stupid "Hey, we've got A-Rod!" fiasco from the off-season. I don't know--just a guess. That whole thing was just stoooopid.

[nj-monarch]

Originally posted by WakefieldsKnuckler49
I just have one question on the whole "evil empire" situation. When Bloomburg (or was it Pataki?) greeted A-Rod in NY, he announced "The Empire Strikes Back!" This implies that the Red Sox somehow struck. Can someone tell me when this happened and why someone didn't wake me up so I could see?

Funny, though someone could argue that the Sox "struck" by getting Schilling.

Back to the original point, it is silly. But this isn't world peace we're talking about, it's sports. Live the Empire. Love the Empire. Go Empire.

[Turd Furguson]

Originally posted by Grape Ape
It's awesome. It shows how obsessed the whole Sox culture is with our team. It's a true testament to them getting their butts handed to them so many times over the years. In NY, when the Sox leave town, they're gone. Up here, you can't go 15 minutes without hearing about the Yankees. Heck, they still go 10 minutes a day about Mo Vaughn.

It's great. Last year, they were talking about how they'd give up their front teeth for Vasquez, but, after he comes to NY, all they tallk about is how difficult it will be to adjust to the AL.

Don't be offended. Take it as a compliment.

Newsflash for ya, the Yankees are just as obsessed with the Red Sox. Ask King George


If you're a Yankee fan and something on NESN offends you, dont watch Red Sox games on NESN. Thats like me complaining about something on the YES network.

[Grape Ape]

First, great screenname, TF.

Originally posted by Turd Furguson



Newsflash for ya, the Yankees are just as obsessed with the Red Sox. Ask King George


If you're a Yankee fan and something on NESN offends you, dont watch Red Sox games on NESN. Thats like me complaining about something on the YES network.

Yes, George is obsessed with beating the Sox. My point was that more Red Sox fans are obsessed with the Yankees than vice-versa.

If you're a Yankee fan and something on NESN offends you, dont watch Red Sox games on NESN. Thats like me complaining about something on the YES network.

Not aimed directly at you, but same goes for Sox fans hanging around a Yankee message board, becoming offended when Sox players get ripped.

[NicktheStick36]

Originally posted by Grape Ape
First, great screenname.



Yes, George is obsessed with beating the Sox. My point was that more Red Sox fans are obsessed with the Yankees than vice-versa.

Did you take a head count?

I will say that my dad can beat up your dad.

[NDBoston]

Originally posted by Grape Ape
First, great screenname, TF.



Yes, George is obsessed with beating the Sox. My point was that more Red Sox fans are obsessed with the Yankees than vice-versa.



Not aimed directly at you, but same goes for Sox fans hanging around a Yankee message board, becoming offended when Sox players get ripped.

Go to the redsox.com, espn.com red sox board or mannyraimerez.com message boards. It's full of Yankee fans "trolling".

[bakntime]

Originally posted by NDBoston


Go to the redsox.com, espn.com red sox board or mannyraimerez.com message boards.

eww, no thanks.

[Grape Ape]

No headcount taken. I've lived in both areas and can easily see the difference. Yankees talk dominates the media up here, whether the Yankees are in town or not. It wasn't like that in NY at all.

As far as Yankee trolls on Red Sox boards, they're equal losers as well. If someone's just stirring up crap or trying to piss people off, they need to find other activities to occupy their time. I can understand reading opposing team's boards to see the other side of the coin, but posting and fighting with the them is lame.

[NDBoston]

Originally posted by Grape Ape
No headcount taken. I've lived in both areas and can easily see the difference. Yankees talk dominates the media up here, whether the Yankees are in town or not. It wasn't like that in NY at all.

I've lived in both places too.

Schilling's signing by the Red Sox made the cover of the Post, Newsday and the Daily News in December.

Red Sox scores are the next given by the FAN after the Yankees and Mets. They are a frequent topic by callers. Michael Kay has an unhealthy hatred for the Red Sox too.

Rivalry means ratings and both media outlets feed on it.

[B in ALB]

Originally posted by NDBoston


I've lived in both places too.

Schilling's signing by the Red Sox made the cover of the Post, Newsday and the Daily News in December.

Red Sox scores are the next given by the FAN after the Yankees and Mets. They are a frequent topic by callers. Michael Kay has an unhealthy hatred for the Red Sox too.

Rivalry means ratings and both media outlets feed on it.

What up ND? Once again a discussion about unquantifiable scenarios. Who's the better fan? Who's more obsessed? Who's the more classless fan? Henry or Steinbrenner? Jeter or Nomar? Blah, blah, f'ing blah. How do you even measure who gets covered more in either market? Ridiculous. Both cities dislike the other team. Both sets of fans dislike each other. Both owners can't stand the other. Etc, etc, etc...And we all talk about it ad nauseum.

Neither team or city is better in terms of fans, media, ownership, or passion.

[NDBoston]

Originally posted by B in ALB


What up ND? Once again a discussion about unquantifiable scenarios. Who's the better fan? Who's more obsessed? Who's the more classless fan? Henry or Steinbrenner? Jeter or Nomar? Blah, blah, f'ing blah. How do you even measure who gets covered more in either market? Ridiculous. Both cities dislike the other team. Both sets of fans dislike each other. Both owners can't stand the other. Etc, etc, etc...And we all talk about it ad nauseum.

Neither team or city is better in terms of fans, media, ownership, or passion.

Hey B:

You need to get out of Albany Times Union hell as soon as possible.

What you said was dead on. I'm getting tired of these arguments too.

[B in ALB]

Originally posted by NDBoston


Hey B:

You need to get out of Albany Times Union hell as soon as possible.

What you said was dead on. I'm getting tired of these arguments too.

Werd. Believe me - a move back to "greener" pastures is in the works. This small time, small town b***sht is getting on my nerves.

[Grape Ape]

Geez, I wasn't saying who was better or who was right or wrong. I'm just saying that I've noticed from living in the two areas over the years that on average I've seen much more media coverage up here about the Yankees than I did down there about the Red Sox. Even all the guys on EEI have admitted that.

If this comment gives some Sox fans a complex, I don't care. Believe me, I've had enough face to face conversations with Sox fans to know it's worthless to try to convince them who is better, smarter....blah blah. Hell, the CEO of my company is part owner of the damn team, so I'm surrounded by passionate Sox fans.

[NDBoston]

Originally posted by Grape Ape
Geez, I wasn't saying who was better or who was right or wrong. I'm just saying that I've noticed from living in the two areas over the years that on average I've seen much more media coverage up here about the Yankees than I did down there about the Red Sox. Even all the guys on EEI have admitted that.

If this comment gives some Sox fans a complex, I don't care. Believe me, I've had enough face to face conversations with Sox fans to know it's worthless to try to convince them who is better, smarter....blah blah. Hell, the CEO of my company is part owner of the damn team, so I'm surrounded by passionate Sox fans.

Do you think the fact that Boston is a huge baseball town with one team and a smaller city would have any impact on the media coverage on baseball or your perception of it?

The fact that you work for an owner of the Red Sox is telling too.

[Grape Ape]

Originally posted by NDBoston


Do you think the fact that Boston is a huge baseball town with one team and a smaller city would have any impact on the media coverage on baseball or your perception of it?

The fact that you work for an owner of the Red Sox is telling too.

No, not at all. I think it's mostly little brother syndrome. Historically the Sox have gotten their collective butts kicked by this team, now their fans are obsessed with overcoming it.

As for getting into semantics, I guess I'll never be able to conduct focus groups of every fan in each city and ask them if they are more concerned with the other. But I do work for the largest advertising agency in Boston, and it's my job to pay attention to all media outlets closely. (Owner is a MINOR owner of the Sox, not one of the big names.) If you compare time spent on the Yankees on major sports radio stations by callers and hosts, the amount of anti Yankee t-shirts and propaganda, and the fact that Yankees Suck chants appear at ALL sporting events, I think you can draw a fair conclusion as to who is more obsessed than the other.

I have no idea why you're arguing this so intensely. It's not a bash on the Red Sox, just the way things are.

[Leesha]

Go to the redsox.com, espn.com red sox board or mannyraimerez.com message boards. It's full of Yankee fans "trolling".

For what it's worth, there are some Yanks fans on the RSN.net board who are really cool to have around and it's nice to get different points of view. That's why I visit here; just to see how the 'other side' views things, so to speak. It can be enlightening, really.

There is one complete tool on our board, though. We're talking Black & Decker quality. I don't even want to insult all y'all by calling him a Yankee fan. He was banned from this forum, so that says a lot to me.

[koko]

A bit childish? Yes, absolutely. But that's what makes it so fun to watch Red Sox fans...

Watching Ben Affleck's head nearly explode after the ARod trade...that's gold!