Goonface2k14
Registered User
I don’t even pay attention to the hate, because it’s plain old ignorance.
We’re the best fans in hockey. Sure, there are obnoxious fans of all pro sports teams and the Leafs are no exception. For the vast majority of us, however, we know the game, and can criticize and praise the Leafs and any other team intelligently and objectively.
Unfortunately for us, since the 80s, we’ve suffered through some horrific eras under Ballard and Burke. The Stavro years were a tease, we could never get over the hump. We saw so many other teams dominate, patiently waiting our turn. Hoping for a proper rebuild. Maybe we’re finally there now with JT joining the fold. Time will tell. The haters come with the poor eras, just part of the territory. We’ve been an easy target for many years.
At the same time, especially at the ACC/SBA, there’s too many suits filling the platinum seats more interested in wining and dining clients than cheering for the team. I guess it also comes with the territory, but it’s not a good image.
Finally, the Leafs are a wealthy team. Yet another incentive for people to spit venom at the club, mostly out of envy. Kind of like the New York Yankees “evil empire”.
So there are lots of reasons to hate, which only makes our bond as pure fans that much stronger. Those who cheered in the Ballard years remember how the team was horrible yet still made the playoffs here and there in the crappy Norris division. We “be-leafed”. Those games at MLG were classics. How the camera would shake after a big goal, and how wonderful Paul Morris’ monotonous voice sounded over the PA announcing a Leafs goal. That’s where my love for the Leafs was born. Lots has changed since then, and sometimes for the worse, like the empty platinum seats when the second and third period starts. But it doesn’t bother me one bit, because I remember my first days as a Leaf fan and how pure and innocent it was.
Regardless of when or how you started cheering for the Leafs, you’ve earned your stripes. Bring on the hate.
We’re the best fans in hockey. Sure, there are obnoxious fans of all pro sports teams and the Leafs are no exception. For the vast majority of us, however, we know the game, and can criticize and praise the Leafs and any other team intelligently and objectively.
Unfortunately for us, since the 80s, we’ve suffered through some horrific eras under Ballard and Burke. The Stavro years were a tease, we could never get over the hump. We saw so many other teams dominate, patiently waiting our turn. Hoping for a proper rebuild. Maybe we’re finally there now with JT joining the fold. Time will tell. The haters come with the poor eras, just part of the territory. We’ve been an easy target for many years.
At the same time, especially at the ACC/SBA, there’s too many suits filling the platinum seats more interested in wining and dining clients than cheering for the team. I guess it also comes with the territory, but it’s not a good image.
Finally, the Leafs are a wealthy team. Yet another incentive for people to spit venom at the club, mostly out of envy. Kind of like the New York Yankees “evil empire”.
So there are lots of reasons to hate, which only makes our bond as pure fans that much stronger. Those who cheered in the Ballard years remember how the team was horrible yet still made the playoffs here and there in the crappy Norris division. We “be-leafed”. Those games at MLG were classics. How the camera would shake after a big goal, and how wonderful Paul Morris’ monotonous voice sounded over the PA announcing a Leafs goal. That’s where my love for the Leafs was born. Lots has changed since then, and sometimes for the worse, like the empty platinum seats when the second and third period starts. But it doesn’t bother me one bit, because I remember my first days as a Leaf fan and how pure and innocent it was.
Regardless of when or how you started cheering for the Leafs, you’ve earned your stripes. Bring on the hate.