The Lovable Antagonists

[CH David]

I couldn't think of a snappy title, so hopefully this will do. There are players in all sports that you just want to strangle when they are on another team, and when they come to your team, you love them.

For instance, AJ Pierzynski. Hated him as a member of the Twins, heart was questioned in SF, and as a member of the White Sox is hated in quite a few places, the north side of Chicago. He has been a Cubs killer since joining the White Sox, and was the catalyst to the brawl in 2006. Anaheim, well he ran to 1st after a "dropped" 3rd strike which led to Joe Crede hitting the game winning double, was "tagged" out by Kelvim Escobar only to be called safe again in I think Game 4. Minneapolis, former Twin, I think that is all what really needs to be said for the most part, Ty or another Twins fan could elaborate as I'm too lazy. But White Sox fans (myself included obviously) fucking love him. He is one of those guys who is a very good baseball player, not just an athlete. He is smart and has been great in the locker room with the White Sox.

Those guys that you love to hate when they oppose you, and love to love when they are with you. I'll come back with a few others after a few posts, but who are some examples that you can come up with?

 

[Stormtrooper]

I'm going to go in a different way then expected with this thread. The man I'm thinking of is very similar to AJ Pierzynski, in that if he isn't part of your team you hate him, but when he's part of your team (at as of late) you love him. That man, who died Tuesday, is George Steinbrenner.

From his return from his second suspension (in 1993), George Steinbrenner was the type of owner that virtually any team (and any fan) would want to have. Contrary to all the nice things that were said since his death Tuesday, George was universally hated around baseball for his desire to win at all costs. However, you couldn't ask for a better owner in all of sports for that same reason. George Steinbrenner would take his profits and put them back into his team, with the express purpose of winning a championship, something the majority of owners wouldn't do. And when Baseball rightly started a Luxury Tax to try and create revenue sharing, Steinbrenner said OK, and spend above and beyond the threshold, knowing it would cost him, because he valued winning above all else. Because of his undying will to win, the Yankee's payroll has expanded, causing other teams to hate the Yankees and George Steinbrenner (more). However, you can't deny that Yankee fans love him now.

 

[gd]

Pittsburgh sports. Let's see. Umm, I guess Ben would be on that list. Not too many people around the country really liked him before the whole fiasco. Certainly don't like him now. I can say I'm still a big fan of the guy and so are a fair amount of Pittsburghers.

Joey Porter was like that as well. He's a fucking nutjob, but he's our nutjob. Remember that time he got suspended before the start of a game against the Browns? Or when he got in Jeremy Stevens head before the Super Bowl? Great stuff. Gotta love his sack dance as well. Man, I miss him.


Everyone seems to hate Hines as well, with all the smiling and him throwing crushing blocks and whatnot. Obviously, he's quite beloved in Pittsburgh.


Also, I imagine a lot of people don't like Crosby because thye're jealous. Anyone would love to have him on their team.