Baseball Narcissism: Players Vs. Fans

I wrote the other day about the narcissism of baseball players and called my post Baseball Players & Narcissism.  In particular, I was writing about me, proving the narcissism of ballplayers.  Or at least my own narcissistic ways (try typing the word narcissistic - very difficult).  But something happened after I made the post.  I realized fans are pretty narcissistic too.

I was on Facebook and, because of the Jason Grilli interview I did, typed in his name to befriend him on that social networking forum.  You need to go to Facebook and do that.  Type in Jason Grilli.  He's there.  You know what else is there?  18 Facebook groups that are focused negatively about Jason Grilli.  There's "Dear Detroit Tigers, Please Cut Jason Grilli" (he was traded to Colorado last April 30).  There's "I Want To Punch Jason Grilli In The Mouth."  Heck, there's even the "Jason Grilli Hate Group."  I'm not going to provide hyperlinks.  Just take my word.

Reading all of those groups (I didn't join any) made me think about the relationship between fans and players.  We, as players, know who we are because we're part of an elite fraternity that is extremely difficult to break into.  And once we're in, we perpetuate a certain love and admiration for ourselves because of this accomplishment.  This narcissism is exhibited through our showy cars, homes and bling; by our turning our backs to the media or not signing an autograph for a fan.  Some of us even talk in the 3rd person.  Jimmy wouldn't do that.  Never.

All of that stuff has gone on since the dawn of professional sports.  We're players.  Fans aren't.  The players dig themselves because they can.  It's as simple as that.

Yet, there is another side to this.  What about the fans?  Don't you think fans embody their own narcissistic ways?  To me, if you can create a hate group for a relief pitcher whose MLB service time is still short of free agency, or any MLB player for that matter, then you've got to feel pretty good about yourself (while hating someone else simultaneously).  

Here's a situation: Pitcher throws 7 shutout innings and manager takes him out.  The setup guy comes in and mows 'em down 1-2-3.  The closer comes in to protect a 2-run lead and, after the inning is over, is on the losing end of a 3 to 2 game.  I can guarantee you that closer is not feeling very narcissistic at that point in time.  In fact, closers have their own internal hate groups.  They just don't admit it because they shut down those hate groups after a good night's sleep and hearty breakfast of Alka Seltzer & Advil.  So the closer is walking to the dugout to a Vienna Boys Choir of boos and curses and phrases pronounced with bad diction.  Who's got the narcissism then?  Could you state at that point the fans are the ones who are towing the line of self-admiration?  If you're yelling nasty stuff, if you're creating hate groups on the internet, if you're standing at the watercooler taunting fans of another team, don't you think you've got a little narcissism going on?

You do.  It's not up for debate.  You do.  Is that bad?  No.  Narcissism doesn't have to be a dirty word.  But I do think it's important for balance to be shown.  If a ballplayer rips fans in the media or gives them the finger as he reaches the dugout steps, he is crucified.  If a fan boos a player, it's accepted.  "I paid my money for this ticket and Rhinegold.  I can do whatever I want."  Fine.  Just know that you spoke two sentences and used the self-loving "I" word three times.  You think highly-enough of yourself to spew venom at a fellow human being.  You must think, at that moment in time, that you're better.  That you're the cat's meow.

If you ever read To Kill A Mockingbird, or watch the movie (which I'm sure our younger readers can find in a colorized version somewhere thanks to Ted Turner), you'll hear/read Atticus Finch tell young Scout to put herself in another man's shoes.  To really understand what someone is thinking or feeling, you need to put yourself in that person's position to see their viewpoint.

Should you disagree about this post with all of your might, ask yourself this: Do I disagree because Jimmy Scott is wrong?  Is he just sticking up for someone who did an interview with him?  Maybe.  A follow up for yourself would be this:  Do I disagree because Jimmy may be right but I can't admit it?  I am a fan, after all, and I have my rights.

You are a fan and you have your rights and part of the fun of being a fan is booing and yelling.  Our reaction to sports is our reaction to swirling stuff going on around us.  But, next time you're thinking about starting an I Hate Gil Meche "fan" club, think about what gives you the right to do that and what makes you think you're the one to do it.  Maybe there's a little narcissistic child inside, making you think you're the person to do this.  Or maybe you're just a strong-willed fan.

If you ask me, you're a little bit of both.  And from one narcissistic person to another, I welcome you to the club.