Keller @ Large: It's OK To Boo The Bruins
BOSTON (CBS) - The ever-astute Dan Roche, my colleague down the hall in the WBZ-TV sports department, is one of the best sports reporters in the country, and when he speaks, people who love sports listen.
Listen to Jon's commentary:
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But I respectfully suggest that he missed the mark with his blog posting yesterday chastising Bruins fans for their occasional booing of the team's play.
Writes Danny:
"I know the power play is abysmal, certain players have struggled mightily at times, and the head coach may make a mistake or two, but I don't understand the constant complaining about your hockey team. Your hockey team is one win away from its first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals since 1990. That's 21 years! Save your rants and booing for next season."
And he goes on to say: "The players are tight, maybe a bit nervous trying to play well for the home crowd, and they hear boos? You have to wonder if this is why they play better on the road."
Well Danny, if that's the case, then the Bruins really DO deserve a thorough booing for amateurish conduct.
But I do think this whole thing is a complete misunderstanding of what Bruins fan booing really means. There is no call to question the depth of the fans' comittment -- there has been no more loyal fan base in any sport than the long-suffering Bruins fans over the past four decades.
And may I suggest that Bruins fans boo poor play because they recognize it as such, and the booing is their way of exhorting the boys to do better.
What is this, the T-ball league where everybody gets a trophy and a pat on the back?
Dan Roche is a local boy who should know that we often use what appears to be hostility to express respect for athletes - do you really think Red Sox fans think the "Yankees bleep," even when they chant it?
Danny, I'm giving you the raspberry on this one. So you'll know how much I appreciate your work.
You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.
