I never understand the annual “blame the fans” articles…from guys who haven’t paid for a ticket in 40 years.
Here’s McCoy’s version in his Q&A, headlined “True fans go to games.”
QUESTION  With perennial great players like Jason LaRue and Ken Griffey Jr. on the roster, why are the Cincinnati Reds near the bottom both in home and road attendance?  Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek.
ANSWER  Because clods like you never come to the games. You watch on television and listen on the radio  although with some of your comments I doubt you do even that  and make excuses why you don’t go to games. It’s too cold in April, it’s too hot in July, no parking, nothing to do in Cincinnati, the beer is too expensive, the ushers make you sit down, the moon is in the fourth house, the dog ate your tickets and you can’t find any more freebies.
I don’t get it. Roger Ebert doesn’t write an annual column blasting movie watchers for the decline in box office receipts. Why do McCoy, Daugherty, et al feel obliged to shame people into going to the ballpark? Is it so bad to watch the games on TV or listen to the radio? Last I heard, teams receive revenue from those sources, based on the number of viewers/listeners.
And calling someone a “clod”? I haven’t seen that word since I stopped reading Mad.
Just so you know, “Dave” and Hal McCoy have this banter every week. “Dave” complains about something and it usually involves Junior. There is a relationship btwn Hal and “Dave” permitting Hal to call “Dave” a clod. If you read Hal frequently and/or listen to Marty and Hal – he usually refers to “Dave” from the Dayton area. Notice how we puts 3 places where he’s from…so basically the entire I-675 area.
I read Hal’s column a lot and “Dave” is a total clod. He is flame bait and Hal’s response should not be considered as one to the average fan… just this guy…. plus I think his mention of perennial greats LaRue and Griffey is being facetious at best.
here’s hoping Majewski has options to send to AAA
peace
I have to say Hal is the most honest and informed of al the beat writers. If you read him on a regular basis you will see that.
I met Hal a couple of years ago and found him to be personable and direct. A very nice guy. I have read the email from “Dave” the past 3 years. It is just common now to know that Dave’s email will be first, it just kind of represents all that is negative from the week and address it up front.
It kills me how guys who never pay for tickets admonish those who do.
I just don’t feel any attachment to the team anymore. I vaguely follow them and want them to do well because they represent Cincinnati, but I couldn’t name half the players anymore.
When I was a teenager and in my 20s I could tell you the name of every player on the 40, their rough stats and even most of the year’s game results. I don’t know why, but I just can’t spark that much interest anymore.
I don’t think it was the strike. It just seems like there is a revolving door on players since the mid 90s and I don’t get as involved. Maybe it was always that way and I was just too young to notice at the time.
I pretty much only go to games now if someone gives me free tickets or a special trip is planned by friends.