Tag Archives: Wrigley Field

Fukudome uproar

Version 1.0, , , , , , , ,

Clearly, Kosuke Fukudome is having a tremendous impact in Chicago, not only on the Cubs, but also just outside Wrigley Field, where some t-shirt vendors have been selling t-shirts with this questionable, arguably offensive, graphic:

.

The vendors are now suing the Cubs organization for trying to stop the sale of these t-shirts, citing First Amendment “freedom of speech” violations.  Here we go with yet another cry out about freedom of speech.  Let’s get this straight: just because the Bill of Rights gives us freedom of speech, that doesn’t mean you can say or print anything.  There are limits, people.  That amendment gives us all the right to express our opinions, regardless or what they may be, but once those expressions infringe on others’ rights, those limits have been reached.  I find this graphic offensive in that it makes fun of Asians’ pronunciation of “L’s” in the English language.  I’m sure the creator of this t-shirt, no doubt some narrow-minded yuppie- wannabe on the North Side, wouldn’t like a shirt poking fun at the fact that he probably can’t even speak his own language properly (the subject of many a future blog, to be sure!).  And the slanty eyes?  Really?? It would have been just fine printing the trademark “Holy Cow” in the “Asian-style” lettering, but to change “Holy” to “Horry” and give the cub slanty eyes crosses the line in my book.  The way I see it, whether there was offensive intent or not (I really hope not), the shirt’s creator has to realize the graphic’s potential to offend.  Better judgment was needed here.

Other pieces of apparel, such as the headband below, I think are just fine.  The headband itself harkens to Fukudome’s Japanese heritage, as does the sun and the font, without offending or making fun of anyone.

If you like having “Holy Cow” on your Cubs accessories, how about this Japanese-inspired headband, complete with the white-flag “W” and the Chicago skyline:

Now, don’t me wrong.  I’m all for silly, light-hearted t-shirts, those that are fun and are clearly not trying to hurt anyone, like this one:

Or, for those who are phonetically challenged:

Now THAT is a funny, non-offensive t-shirt.

The Cubs and their fans

Version 1.0, , , , , ,

I read Mike’s blog today, and couldn’t help but comment (I’m T-Chris).  It also got me thinking, so much so that I had to blog about it.

 

Why do so many people hate the Cubs and their fans?  I did a Google search for “Cubs suck” websites and came up with, literally, hundreds of thousands of hits.  Yikes.  Why all the hate for the boys in blue?  Some comes from the fans of division rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers.  But Cardinals and Brewers fans who truly HATE the Cubs are pretty few and far between.  The teams are rivals, yes, but there’s mutual respect among the fans.  Debates are heated and the games are spirited, sure, but there’s hardly a lack of respect for the opposing teams or their fans.  They are healthy rivalries.

 

Much of the Cubbie hatred, I’m sad to say, comes from White Sox fans.  I don’t know if it’s jealousy or insecurity or what, but many (not all, mind you) Sox fans are bitter, bitter people.  I’m not writing this entry to antagonize White Sox fans out there.  I’m just curious as to why so many of you truly hate and loathe the North Siders and their fans.  Now, you may point to my comment in Mike’s blog, and say that I’m bitter and hateful towards the Sox and their fans.  Quite the contrary: my statement was merely a reaction to the spew of the previous comment.  Cubs fans don’t inherently hate anyone, not even the Sox or their fans.  We may not like other teams, but we’re content to mind our own business in the Friendly Confines and watch our team try to win.  (And speaking of trying to win, I think I speak for Cubs fans everywhere when I say that I’m over the whole “Lovable Loser” tag.  It’s time the change the mentality of Cubdom and the rest of baseball.  The Cubs are trying to win just as much everyone else.)

 

Are you Sox fans jealous that Wrigley routinely gets sold out?  You deride the Cubs and their park for being filled with people who just want to enjoy the sun and the bleachers.  So what?  My response to you: if you’re so concerned that Wrigley sells out and Comis…er…US Cellular Field doesn’t, then tell more of your fans to show up to games.  It’s that simple.  And all this talk about Cubs fans not being knowledgeable about the game of baseball is a bunch of crap.  There are just as many die-hard baseball fans in the stands at Wrigley Field, if not more so, than those who are there merely for the social aspect of the game.  We all know it’s been a century since the Cubs last won a World Series.  So you’re saying the Cubs suck because of that?  Well, duh.  But instead of worrying about other teams, how about you worry about your won team and how it’s doing (not so hot, last time I checked the standings).  Do well first, then maybe, just maybe, you can start the trash talking.  Until then, why not just positively root for your own team rather than deride another?  That goes for the Sox fans, Cardinals fans, Brewers fans…anyone and everyone.  Mind your own business.

 

I’m proud to be a Cubs fan, whether they’re in first place or last place.  Always have been, always will be.  And that’s indicative of the vast majority of Cubs fans around the nation.  Through thick and thin, we support our team, not at the expense of other teams or their fans, but simply because we love the Cubs.  Can you say that about your team and its fan base?

 

Go Cubs, go!!