>You'd be surprised. Imagine yourself rooting for a team stuck in a division with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays, and a management that thinks they can win without spending money.
>
>You don't know what hate is.
>
>I'm assuming you're a Blue Jays fan....remember that I'm a Phillies fan. There are 3 words that will send me into a blind rage...Joe F______ Carter. :)

Ahhhh. Those were the days.

>Toronto's current ownership is rather odd, but it seems they've had some serious management and coaching issues the last few years as well.

The owners are talking once again about cutting payroll. They're idiots who may be terrific business people in the classic sense, but who clearly don't understand what puts bums in seats in a sporting venue. This is not the Toronto Maple Leaf hockey team who will sell out every single game and where seasons tickets are bequeathed to heirs regardless how badly the team plays.

You don't catch the Yankees or Red Sox by cutting payroll. Back in the day, the Jays were pulling 50,000+ fans per game. Now it's a big deal if they pull 35,000. And that only happens if the Yankees are in town and Doc is pitching.

>Growing up, my 2nd favorite team was the Orioles, who sometimes had to play 2nd fiddle to the Yankees and even Boston - both of whom had more $$$.

>Actually, much of my hatred of the Yankees is due to George S. I was around 11 or so when I began reading about some of the stunts that he pulled.

The man was a true detriment to the game, but in the Yankees' defense, the players didn't much like him either.

>I am neutral on the Boston Red Sox, but I rooted for them big-time against the Yankees in the 2003 and 2004 ALCS. Hated the 2003 ending, loved the 2004 ending.

Before there was a 'Blue Jays', I was a Boston fan (since I was a kid and Ted Williams was still around).