Atlanta Braves 4/25-4/26 2011-Petco Park

Arrived both days at the park around 5PM.  My best friend wanted to get Dan Uggla's autograph on a ball since she has him on her Fantasy Baseball Team.  My son and his best friend stood right above the dugout for 30 minutes each day.  Other than Freddie Freeman talking to friends and family, the Atlanta Braves ignored all of their fans.  @JasonHeyward ignored all the kids as they asked for his autograph.  The attitude the team displayed both days was completely classless.

Cincinnati Reds 4/12/2011-Petco Park

We arrived at the ballpark at 5PM and walked over to the Reds dugout.  I was hoping to get Ardolis Chapman's autograph that night.  Came with a friend who is a huge Reds fan.  He wore a t-shirt that said, "In Dusty We Trusty" which got an immediate thumbs up from Dusty Baker and all the Reds coaches.  The Reds were consistently acknowledging their fans either by waving and smiling with the lone exception of Joey Votto.  The 2010 MVP gave dirty looks to the fans and walked off.  Chris Heisey signed autographs for 5 minutes,  Jonny Gomes tossed a pair of batting gloves in the stands, Joe Morgan waved to the crowd before taking off.  Ardolis Chapman did sign autographs...after the game from his bullpen seat!  Overall, the Reds loved their fans being there.

The Casual Fan

I’ve been a fan since I was 6 years old.  My first autograph was from Padres pitcher Bill Grief.  I’ve grown up collecting autographs, but also watching how players react to fans who ask them for autographs.  Over the years, I’ve seen a change in the attitude of players.  Fans now appear to be more of annoyance to them.  Players tend to keep their heads down, walk off, and sometimes curse the very people who pay their salaries.  I don’t expect to always get an autograph, but a smile and a wave would be nice.  I understand that fans can cross the line with remarks and requests, but I am choosing to write about how I see players act toward the fans, because, after all, I am….The Casual Fan.