i meant dodgers

I could try to sell you on the history (most pennants in National League history, the Boys of Summer, Jackie Robinson, etc), but if you’re new to baseball, the Dodgers are a great team to become a fan of. They have a really good young nucleus of players, and you can get in relatively on the ground floor of something potentially really special. Russell Martin and Chad Billingsley are already among the very best in baseball at their positions, and the Dodgers figure to get production from a good young corps (Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, James Loney, Jonathan Broxton, Blake DeWitt, James McDonald, Hong-Chih Kuo) that will all be together through at least 2012 (barring trades of course). Another player I didn’t mention might just be the main reason to become a Dodger fan: Clayton Kershaw. He’ll be 21 in 2009, and you can say many years from now you were a fan of Clay K when he was just a kid.

one of the best young arms in the game,Torri just for to mention.is enough for me to be a dodger.young full group of nucleus of guys to build a franchise around in the next five years.i see a pennent and a championship in the future.no other reason to be a dodger fan than sunny southern california.oh and don’t forget hollywood.

1. The incredible history: Koufax, Drysdale, Robinson, Branch Rickey, Roy Camp, Fernando… it goes on.
2. The Voice: Just for the simple fact that if only for the next year, you will have the oppertunity to hear the best voice/broadcaster that this game (or any as far as I’m concerned) has ever seen. Vin Scully is a gift from God to all baseball fans and you should consider yourself lucky to hear him work.
3. All the good young players mentioned above.
4. Aesthetics: Dodger blue, and that classic LA cap are beautiful things to watch, an wearing that hat has got to be fun.
5. The Ballpark: At least until McCourt bulldozes Elysian Park for a mall, Dodger Stadium is a Cathedral. Some of the best sight lines in all of baseball and regularly referred to by players as the best playing serface in the league. Being a fan would be great justification to plan a trip to LA to catch a ball game.

Really only one Con: My best friend is a big Dodger fan and season ticket holder. I go to probably 10-15 games a year there and the fanbase has gotten pretty bad. I know they have been doing a lot to prevent, but there are TONS of foul mouths yelling all kinds of profanity in the presence of children. Granted it happens everywhere, but nowhere like it does there.
Of Course, if you want to route for the Angels…

Since you’re from England, I thought a good way for you to determine your MLB fanhood is to see which teams compare to the English Premier League. I found a blogger who has already drawn his own comparisons (written 08/08). Of course, I would suggest you be a Dodgers fan for all the aforementioned reasons.

http://ccww.wordpress.com/2008/08/11/on-the-pitch-with-an-american-novice-epl-preview-part-i/
http://ccww.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/on-the-pitch-with-an-american-novice-epl-preview-part-ii/

Some highlights:

Manchester United = New York Yankees
Do you enjoy winning at all costs? Would you like to share your favorite team with millions upon millions of fans worldwide, most of whom could not point to the borough or city on a map? Are you as interested in following your team’s players in the gossip column as much as you are the sports page? If you answered yes to any of those questions, more than likely you’re a Yankees fan which also means you’d enjoy Manchester United. They win championships, have the world’s best players, and plenty of obnoxious fans don United regalia without being able to name five other teams in the Prem ("But hey – we’re champions!"). You’re going to experience much success and elitism at it finest, but expect all the drama and rumors you can handle. In all seriousness I do not think the Red Devils will win three straight Premier League titles this year. Cristiano Ronaldo will start three weeks late following his surgery after Euro ’08. Rooney continues to have injury issues. I’m sure Nani and Carlos Teves will fill in quite nicely, but eventually the grueling schedule of the EPL, the FA Cup, Champions League, and players leaving to complete World Cup qualifying matches is going to catch up with them.

Chelsea = Boston Red Sox
Ahh – the loveable losers. They try so hard through signings and trades, come so close year after year but fall short. They’re so gracious in their efforts that even fans of other teams cheer for them. So much history yet so little to show for it. But wait – what if they win a championship? Loyal fans rejoice and forget about years of torment and bask in the glory. Suddenly the "other" fans can’t stand this team and its new found successes while on the opposite side of the spectrum you have the band wagon overflowing. Success continues and suddenly fans expect championships. Red Sox Nation – this is your Premier League team. Chelsea went 50+ years with no championship until the ‘04-‘05 season and just like the Sox, have won two this decade and are on the verge of another.

Arsenal = Toronto Blue Jays
Arsenal is a very popular London club who has been knocking on the door the past couple seasons, most recently losing to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final (They won the Prem in 2004). They always seem to have a spirited team and continue to compete in a tough "division" akin to the Blue Jays circa 1988-1994. Although, every team slips and I think Arsenal may find some slippery slopes this season. For one, their North London rivals Tottenham are determined to take both regular season matches. For two, where other clubs in the upper echelon like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Portsmouth seem to be signing big time players, Arsenal is trying desperately to hang on to theirs. I know soccer fans will call me crazy for placing them this low, but the loan period is not over yet and Robin Van Persie is a hot commodity. Plus, Rosicky may take his time getting back to full health

Newcastle United = Chicago Cubs
You have to love your team. No – I mean you have to really love your team. You can’t bail on them if the best player goes down or they continually bag their managers. You have to be willing to stick with your team through the multi-layered dimensions of complexity that is your understanding of why they just can’t put it together and win a championship. Being a Newcastle fan or Cubbies fan is no joke. You have to base your whole being around their often miserable existence and be willing to rationalize incoherently about why it all fell apart this year or that year. If you desire the glory and need your team to win constantly in order for you to jump up and say, "YES! This is my team," then being a fan of these two is not an option for you. Passion. Dedication. More commitment than your own marriage. This is Newcastle United and the Chicago Cubs. With a healthy Michael Owen, Newcastle will definitely be better off this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish in the top six.

Manchester City = New York Mets
Poor Mets fans, forever destined to play second fiddle. Sure you’ve had some success, but you’ll never live up to your neighbors. Mets fans, you will find solidarity with your EPL equivalent team, Manchester City. Sure they beat Manchester United last year in the regular season causing sheer euphoria, but as always, who had the last laugh? You emphasize the small battles in hopes that someday you’ll reign supreme in your own city. Unfortunately everyone but you realizes you don’t stand a chance. It’s like the Yankees and Manchester United is the annoying older sibling who lets out all his frustrations on you because – well – he can. Expect a standard finish this year for Man. City, right near the middle of the table.

Blackburn =LA Angels
Everyone likes a management willing to go out and make the team better, right? The Angels have made some good signings recently and it’s paid off in their record, just not in a championship (of course I am referring to signings after the 2002 World Series). Blackburn continues to sign quality players from all over and continue to find themselves in the top of the table. Both clubs have experienced championships, Blackburn in 1994 and the Angels not far removed from their own. It seems like too many other teams have made the big time signings for Blackburn to break into the top of the table this year.

and last but definitely not least…

Fulham = SF Giants and LA Dodgers
Fulham has been a popular club in the past with Americans because it had so many U.S. players like Reyna, Bocanegra, McBride, and Keller. This London club does boast some tradition, as they are the oldest club in all of England. Unfortunately the successes and advancements of other London clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea have made Fulham like the red headed stepchild, similar to how the Yankees took over New York and forced the original New York baseball Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers to take a back seat to their successes. The addition of striker Andy Johnson from Everton should boost their offensive production – only if he can get and stay healthy. Expect Fulham to avoid relegation again.

It just happened. But i would say just watch all the games you can…. and you’ll find a team. You’ll just start to find yourself loving a team. you can’t make yourself a fan of anybody, it just happens.

best advice

Well, although a Dodger fan for life (59 years—yikes),
I must say, for a person looking for a team NOW to get behind?

Yes, there IS a great tradition here of amazing players. I remember seeing Koufax, Drysdale and the rest play. Also remember however, equally as important is team ownership. The O’Malleys were classic examples of old school owners who truly loved their team and knew how to put it together and maintain it. I realize that times are different and what they did then couldn’t be done now, etc, however . . . Frank McCourt? I have very serious doubts about this guy and his long term intentions. And the fact that he has money problems really can affect the nature of the teams he puts out on the field over the coming years.

Of course, with that said, what teams DO have great ownership? I seem to hear so many people bitching about so many owners and their lack of true love of the game and knowledge of what the hell they are doing (see Texas Rangers). Perhaps you should research all the teams, from players to management and all things in between, including how the fans relate to them in the city they play, etc (see Florida teams). Then come to a conclusion. Of course, you should get that special baseball package on cable so you can watch a lot of different teams play and see what kind of feel you get or don’t get for them.

It’s kind of like picking out the perfect wife.

It ain’t never going to happen . . .

but you got to have someone warm to snuggle up to

i have chosen the dodgers

Why would anyone in Boise want to be a Dodgers fan? Thats so lame. They should check out the Mariners where the Limey spirit would fit right in.

Could you imagine a young person from England coming to L.A. to a Dodger game and getting scared out of his wits by gang members?

L.A. is fine from afar, but if you are young and naive, then perhaps you might come here on your own. It’s just too frightening. Better off rooting for woosies like the Mariners.

You make some good points?
What the hell is a woosie?

And yes, Dodger Stadium can get a little funky. I’ve had people tell me who go out to Angel games that it’s a less threatening atmosphere. Never been there myself so I don’t know. I DO know that I love my high def TV and my own snacks and drinks in the comfort of my non-violent home (with the occasional exception of the misses taking a swipe at me), which probably makes me woosie?

Oh God, yes, those soccer fans.
I can’t imagine wanting to kill someone because they pull for the other team.
Of course, there are times when I’d like to kill my OWN team.
Ha-ha.

later