The Pink Hat Brigade

Some of them are legitimate new fans. You know it happens-new fans :-\.
But the worst ones are those that join in because they believe the team is headed for greatness and for no other reason. I wish there was a way to exclude these people.

Oh god – I’m on the verge of being a “Crusty Historian”!!

I remember when waving a towel…….

I joined this site in May, before the lottery, but had been supporting the Celtics long before.

Anyway, as one other poster stated on another thread.

‘Some of us are new to the site but are not new to the Celtics’

That was in response to some crazy comment about how people weren’t ‘true’ fans, if they hadn’t posted over 100 times on this blog.

I think that quote nails it.

But the worst ones are those that join in because they believe the team is headed for greatness and for no other reason. I wish there was a way to exclude these people.

Call me crazy, but I’d much rather have pink hats and front runners than no hats and empty seats. Pink hats and front runners cheer and add excitement – empty seats can not. Besides, those who wear the pink hats are usually much better looking than us “Crusty Historians”

The ship is big enough for all of us!

sigh

Let’s stop with the elitism ok? Having fans, be it die hards, front runners, pink hats, whatever, is always a good thing.

I think it’s great that the stadium will almost always be sold out and if I can’t make it to a game, I know I can get some good money for my tix instead of GIVING them away.

A-F’n-Men to that

It may be just me, but in years past the Garden was never full of Celtics die-hards even last year when we were terrible. It seemed it was filled with families who couldn’t afford going to a Sox/Pats game or people who looked like they didn’t want to be there. Of course now there will be a change since it will be very hard getting tickets but I’d rather have to sit next to someone who asks if there is an “intermission” than no one at all.

I’ll say it again — empty seats don’t cheer, don’t create atmosphere, don’t pump $$ into the system (and that’s what it’s all about) to justify going over the cap. Empty seats don’t draw players nor do they boast TV & radio ratings.

Long time ago I worked in the music industry and I hated, hated when a band I liked became popular, because it meant larger venues, tickets were harder to come by and so on and so forth. The difference here is, without the “other” fans there’s no smaller venue to fall back on. The Celts can’t just go play over at Conte Forum and make it a private party.

We all need the “other” so the Celts can afford the to spend.

So you go to less games – beer is cheaper at home and parking is better. I was a season ticket holder throughout the ML / Pitino era, had the place to myself — I’d give up the ease of getting in and out of Causway Street for another banner.

Young Caine said a true Celtic fan is one that stuck with them during the Sidney Wickes, Curtis Lowe period. Dave Cowens was player-coach and did most of the rebounding despite being crippled. Cedric Maxwell served his rookie sentence. And then along come a BIRD of different feather.
Now Master Po it’s up to you to reword what I said into true young caineity.

I guess the tough part for me is going from one end of the spectrum to the other. Last year I had a 12 game pack for crappy $19 seats (as well as several other $10 seat games). The guy emailed me back earlier this week saying that the cheapest he has for the pack are $43 a seat tickets. I am by no means rich enough to get good seats, and I just like to be in the Garden when games are happening. I am afraid I will not be able to do that this year, as often.

Having many new fans is great. I no longer look like an idiot with my Celtics bumper sticker, screen saver, and Paul Pierce jack in the box at work, but there really was no transition. I am sure I will make it to some games this year and the energy will be through the roof- and man, the winning will be great, but I don’t want the Celtics to turn into the Red Sox.

i always have had hope for the c’s. i really thought pitino was going to right the ship, and he was the biggest disappointment.the blackest days were when red was thinking of going over to the knicks to get away from john y brown.but red stayed.this year we will be better and the cabin fevered fans new and old will get crazy. i just hope the newer fans don’t let any of the indulgent, narcissism of our era get in their or our way.

Great article. I love the categories. I too am bracing myself for the bandwagoners claiming ‘what a tough 20 years it’s been’, when they haven’t endured anything.

Having said that, does it really matter? As painful as it can be to listen and watch these types, there will be no way for them to experience the same level of satisfaction that most of us will experience if this team is successful.

New fans and more fans are good things for both the Celtics and this site and just because new names are popping up doesn’t mean they’re all new fans/readers. I don’t have ‘100 posts’, but I’ve been here a long time.

Wow guys. I feel like I need to justify to you that I belong on this board as a true celtic fan. It is true that I have only posted 2 or 3 times on this board but I am still as much of a Cs fan, if not more than you because…

1. I still own the D Brown pumps
2. I have games on tape where Dino led the charge.
3. I constantly compare people to John Bagley
4. Check out my Blog name. If you don’t get it, it must mean your a Bandwagon fan right?
5. I know that Kevin McHale has the nastiest armpit hair imaginable. I have a poster to prove it
6. I played in a mini Boston Garden in my basement
7. I believed we were going to be a good team last year
8. I’m convinced that if I’m watching a game that the Cs will lose or blow their huge lead. During their great comeback in the playoffs in 2002 I went to shoot around outside during the fourth quarter. You’re welcome!
9. I’m secure enough to know that just because there are going to be bandwagon fans, it doesn’t mean I’m a less special as a Celtic fan. Hell, I envy people that were able to let them go for all of those years.
10. I have “small town” in my head right now

Is that good enough for you? I could go on but then I’d just be bragging. Give me a break guys. Embrace this period, smile at the new comers, and get ready for a lot more of Bob Cousy’s “Beautiful” calls.

Nice work Po!

mcpu40 -

 :) I could tolerate that if it wasn’t for the fact that Eddie’s 16 year old son is replacing Michael Anthony!! :‘( What’s up with that????

McPu40

Does Eddie get along with anyone? Can you imagine if the line up was Alex/Eddie/Michael plus David Lee & Sammy sharing duties. They could charge $300 a ticket and sell out all week.

I first saw U2 at the Orpheum in 1983 and I had no problem getting tickets – today I have to pay through the nose and it’s an f’n chore to get them even if they play the Garden for 5 straight nights. With over 30 shows to my name, I am one of the long term diehards, but the hassle of getting a ticket today goes with the territory. I can gripe or I can go with the flow – I chose go with the flow.

As I stated before, I’d rather have a full house for the Celts day in day out so that the owners can afford to go over the tax and keep us posting.

THE “PINK HATTERS” MAY GO TO THE GAMES – BUT THEY’LL NEVER COME HERE – so we have that going for us.

I started following the celtics at the tail end of the big three. Mostly through the paper, but I watched every game televised nationally and every time they played they pistons. (local tv) I seen Bird hit his head on the floor, I seen Reggie fall in the playoffs, and I seen D Brown win the dunk contest. I remember the Chief’s drop step, Mchales incredible post moves, and Bird laying on the floor trying to save his back. I do not remember winning a championship! I went and seen them everytime they played at Cleveland or Detroit (Close to where Im from)

and Ive watched pretty much PPs whole career via NBA league pass. I’ve seen the C’s lose so many games its sad, Id love to see them win it all #17 has been the most elusive but I’ve been waiting since the Bad Boys were repeating, for us to win one. GO CELTICS!!!!!!!

Music – ahhhh, don’t get me started, 14977 songs on the IPod. I too am a music junkie – the same way I am Celts/Sox junkie. With younger kids though, I see less concerts and less games than I’d like, but it goes with the territory.

I used to love hanging on Newbury watching the “Pink Hats” shop!!

This town as incredible passion – and I attribute much of that to the colleges – constant new blood. Which brings us back to the original topic – we live in a passionate, exciting city – there’s room for everyone - even if it means we need to be a bit more creative to accommodate everyone.

To those complaining about not being able to get tickets, would you rather have your choice of seating for a 33 win team or would you rather have to pay a little more and have a harder time getting tickets to watch a championship contender?

mcpu40, anybody who is complaining reeks of elitism. Having bandwagon fans and “pink hats” are a great thing, don’t complain. Personally, as a season ticket holder, I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to sell tickets this year.

The most insufferable of all are the Patriot’s fans from NH. Most of all they love the cheerleaders, the jumbotron and that Vanna White clone who gives away the prizes. They smother their fried clams in ketchup. They know who Larry Bird was, but that’s about it.

Hey i’ll admit, that I just became a member here a few weeks ago, however, that was only because it was the first time that I really wanted to make a comment. I have been on this site for like 2 years now, even though im a college student in chicago, Boston is still my home.

The big downside to the celts being relevent again is all of the fans who are going to go out and buy a C’s hat, just to be trendy now…

I have always preferred rooting for the underdogs, which is why the first pats championship (out of their recent run) meant the most to me because no one saw it coming, and we had a player come out of now where in Tom Brady…

Although its great to see the celts winning now… A part of me wishes they could have came out of no where, and had their own home grown talent win a championship for them.

However, having 3 perennial all stars on the same teams not too shabby if I cant have the former…

I expect the young Celtics to win a title or two— only they’re going to do it in Minnesota.

Hey at least as a long time Celtics fan in NYC I can get to at least three or four games a year at Madison Square Garden and in NJ thanks to people unloading Knicks tickets and the Nets not even selling out playoff games. Though maybe I won’t be able to find cheap deals to Knicks/Celtics games as easily any more.

mcpu40 said:
  No way Brick.
No way.

Sutre they will, but not for another 3 years. Wait until Jefferson is 26 and Foye learns how to play the point.

King

King James messed the on the road games at Cleveland twice a year, up for me! Before James I could get a $10 ticket and sit front row right behind Tommy. Now after James I have to sit up in the nose bleed seats.

I’m not interested in labeling the fans, the more the merrier. It’s all about the rings. Hop on board and who knows how long this train will take us.

mcpu40, don’t pretend to know who I am and what I’m about. I’ve been a season ticket holder the past 3 seasons. Last season was particularly rough. Many games I couldn’t GIVE tickets away, let alone sell them. I don’t make a lot of money. I can afford my tickets, but obviously it’s a good thing if I can get someone to buy some off me. Sorry if that doesn’t make me as “real” a fan as you if I can’t show up to 41 home games. Moron.

My personal bias aside, I’ll say it again, having bandwagon fans and front runners is a good thing. Look at the Sox. They’re able to pay JD Drew a boatload of money because they know they can count on Fenway Park being sold out for the season and the tv ratings being through the roof. Having these extra fans just means more revenue for the team and more money to pay guys like KG. Sorry if you’d rather watch these guys in an empty building, but that’s just not practical.

Again, would you rather see a 30 win team and have plenty of tickets available or would you rather watch a championship contender and have a harder time getting tickets?

Well then don’t question my motives for selling off some of my tickets. I don’t understand why you think that’s a problem.

mcpu40 said:
  When Jefferson is 26, he may be back in Celtic green…
 

No, the Celtics won’t be able to afford him

You’re lucky to have season tickets.
And yet you’re thrilled that you can now sell them?
I just don’t get it.
Why buy them in the first place?[/i]

Again, this isn’t that hard to understand. I can’t make 41 home games. It’s just not practical. Obviously I’d rather sell my extra seats than give them away. This isn’t that tough a concept to grasp

Well, that’s a shame but it’s a reality. Maybe I’m just too much of a realist. You only have two options, sit in an empty building watching a 30 win team, or deal with bandwagoners on a championship contender. I’ll take the later.

Enjoy the season.

It’s gotten to the point where the Red Sox pink hat patrol is almost unbearable. There’s nothing worse than standing next to someone at a bar while the Sox game is on and having them scream obscenaties at the TV when a Tampa Bay Devil Ray hits a meaningless single in a game played in April. Meanwhile they couldn’t pick Ted Williams frozen head out of a lineup.
Hopefully it will take awhile for them to catch on to the Celtics.

After Big Al has achieved personal and team success with the Wolves there is no way he will consider returning to an aging .500 team that stabbed him in the back.

I got 2 tickets to section 132, seats A-8 and A-9, can I get $15 a piece, $15 okay, now can I get $20, $20, do I hear $20, $20!. How about $25, $25!, Can I get $30, $30! $30!, What you say, can I get $35, $35, $35, going once, going twice, sold for $30 each to the guy in the Celtic shirt holding the koolaid.

X-Celtsfansince55 said:
  After Big Al has achieved personal and team success with the Wolves there is no way he will consider returning to an aging .500 team that stabbed him in the back.

Sure he will— for the right price.

I’m the truest, most died-in-green Celtic fan in the whole … wide … world!

Kind of a silly topic to debate, no? A fan’s a fan. Who’s sitting next to you in the fans is inconsequential. All that matters is what happens on the court.

By the way, I’ve posted since the Globe days, too, but I change my name and my opinions so often that I probably seem like one of those front runners. I was Bleed Green at one point on the Globe, until someone else started using it and told me I stole it from him! LOL. I don’t think I’ve ever used the same name for more than a year. There may be others on here who seem like Johnny Come Latelies for the same reason.