I've finally chosen a favorite team...

So, as most of you know, I haven't had a favorite team. I've just called myself a fan of baseball, never rooting for any one team. I don't like it when fans let their fandom get in the way of objective analysis, and the like.

However, I've finally chosen a favorite team. Now, of course, I'm not going to let myself fall into the trap that a percentage of fans do, raising their players up on a pedestal and refusing to acknowledge rational and objective analysis if it doesn't agree with their fandom. But, there is a team that I am going to root for and I want to see win, and that is the Arizona Diamondbacks, for a number of reasons.

First, there's some history behind it. Let me explain a little of my "baseball" history. As a kid, I loved the Yankees, mostly because my friends all did and my dad did (although my dad is both a Yankee and a Mets fan). In the late '90s, I was happy, the Yankees were winning everything. Then, I ran into some kids on my Little League team that were the type of Yankee fans I've grown to dislike - the ones that refuse to ever acknowledge weaknesses, that think the Yankees are some kind of gift to the world, etc. This, pretty much subconsciously, brewed resent of the Yankees inside me. Then 2001 came, and I was in the 7th grade and one of those Yankee fans from my Little League team was in a bunch of my classes. We were pretty good friends, but we also disagreed on a lot of issues - mostly political, with him being very far-right, but we still talked and discussed many things, including baseball. By this time, I was sick of the Yankees winning, and I wanted to see a change - and I also wanted to spite the Yankee fans that had become so used to winning the World Series that they saw it as something that was almost a God-given right. So, I followed the 2001 World Series very closely, rooting for the Diamondbacks every inch of the way. Game 7, I remember it clearly. I was laying on the top bunk bed with the TV on, and Luis Gonzalez swung, blooping that pitch into center field, and I almost leaped through my ceiling jumping of my bed in happiness. :p After that, I sort of rooted for the Diamondbacks but didn't really routinely follow baseball until 2004 or so, when I decided that I didn't have a favorite team and would just follow baseball.

Not only is their somewhat of a history behind my liking the Diamondbacks, but I'm choosing them as my favorite team for some other reasons.

First, their front office. I think that their front office, starting with GM Josh Byrnes, is ran phenomenally. They don't ignore statistical analysis, and they also have a very good scouting department, and the success comes with combining stats and scouting is starting to show in the majors with all the young talent flowing in.

Secondly, their manager. I think Bob Melvin is one of the better managers in the league, and I particularly like the way he managed the bullpen last season, giving the high-leverage innings to his good relievers, and letting his bad relievers do all the mop-up work.

Thirdly, their players. Justin Upton is my favorite up-and-coming player, and Brandon Webb is my favorite pitcher. I like the overall combination of players on the team. I'd really like to see these guys continue winning and establish a sort-of dynasty.

So, there it is, the Diamondbacks are HoustonGM's favorite team. :)

Not the Mariners? :(

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Originally Posted by Coach Owens

Not the Mariners? :(

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What is to like about the Mariners right now? :rolleyes: :p

And you definitely did not read that whole post before you made yours! haha

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

What is to like about the Mariners right now? :rolleyes: :p

And you definitely did not read that whole post before you made yours! haha

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1. They got a French Canadian in their minor leagues! :p

2. I tend to skim these long posts. I blame you! :p

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Originally Posted by Coach Owens

1. They got a French Canadian in their minor leagues! :p

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And I'm neither French nor Canadian. :)

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

And I'm neither French nor Canadian. :)

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But he is! He's French... and Canadian! It's like the greatest combination ever! OH AND BEDARD IS FRENCH CANADIAN AS WELL!!!

hey houston i thought you root for houston astros because of your username so now i know.

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Originally Posted by grgmths1433

hey houston i thought you root for houston astros because of your username so now i know.

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Common mistake, :p When I made the username way back when, I was doing a game on Mogul as the Astros, which is why I made my username what it is, and it just stuck.

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

Common mistake, :p When I made the username way back when, I was doing a game on Mogul as the Astros, which is why I made my username what it is, and it just stuck.

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so i guess you ridin with Dbacks in baseball mogul too right.i was in the same boat you was in,i couldnt pick a favorite team.i always had 2 teams i root for which they are the reds and nationals.i love me some underdogs thats for sure.i havent bought the 09 version,i was hoping you touch up on the 08 version so us broke people can enjoy good rosters too.but hey holla back bro.

That all well and good you have a team to root for, But there is something to be said for being a fan of team with an emotional attachment. I wonder what will be in 10 years? will you still be a fan of the D-Backs? when they most all of the players are different w/ new manager and front office ?

But never-the-less having a team to root makes it more fun and maybe the lack of history will make if sting a little less when/if they lose. :)

As an irrational and nonobjective Yankees Fan I have to say :p

Seriously how could you not love the team....sure...and this is like pulling teeth :D....there is a flaw....or two.....but c'mon they are the YANKEES! The greatest team ever! :D

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Originally Posted by grgmths1433

so i guess you ridin with Dbacks in baseball mogul too right.

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Haha, I am, but honestly, I hadn't even realized that when I decided to make them my favorite team.

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Originally Posted by gryfyn1

I wonder what will be in 10 years? will you still be a fan of the D-Backs? when they most all of the players are different w/ new manager and front office ?

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I don't know. Maybe.

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But never-the-less having a team to root makes it more fun and maybe the lack of history will make if sting a little less when/if they lose. :)

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Yeah, I'm not really a "hardcore" fan or anything, but they're the one team that I really want to see win.

Nice, I really like your choice and your thinking. Too many baseball fans are of the 'religious via upbringing' type - I come from near Boston, thus I am a Red Sox fan, etc. Yet, in reality, although that team feels right, and feels like home somehow, there really is nothing linking me to them, except for my incidental birth about 50 miles from their stadium. I enjoyed living the ups and downs, but honestly, now that the championships are coming easily, I've thought about following another team instead. Preferably an underdog that will never really succeed, giving me that old Sox feeling again. :D

Current contenders are the Padres and Pirates. I've always liked NL ball somewhat more.

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Originally Posted by grgmths1433

hey houston i thought you root for houston astros because of your username so now i know.

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

Common mistake, :p When I made the username way back when, I was doing a game on Mogul as the Astros, which is why I made my username what it is, and it just stuck.

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Didn't you have a Diabondbacky avatar, back before the StraightEdgey one (which, of course, preceded the Munchkiny one)?

Nope. I had no avatar before that one.

Good idea bumping this old thread since I'm sure most people still think he's an Astros fan. :D

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

Nope. I had no avatar before that one.

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Really? Then I'm losing it. I thought someone here had an avatar with the Diamondbacks logo a while back... :confused:

Wait. You had a hat, right? Barely discernible, in a photo? Maybe that was it...

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Originally Posted by StreetMedic

Wait. You had a hat, right? Barely discernible, in a photo? Maybe that was it...

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I do have a D'Backs hat, and there are pictures of me wearing it, not sure if any have been posted here, but, maybe, so, yeah, that's probably it.

I always thought you were a d'backs fan.....so nothing new to me

are you going to change your name to ArizonaGM? :)