7 replies to this topic

[Broadway Charlie]

I MIGHT get this book at some point, but not until it's on sale at half.com for $0.75. There was this particular comment that just rankled my innards: Quote

The books stated the marketing report said: "[W]omen are definitely more drawn to the 'soap opera' and 'reality-TV' aspects of the game ... They are interested in good-looking stars and sex symbols" -- a reference to All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Okay, as a woman, I don't care what a player looks like. I don't care what the "soap opera" aspects are - though I care when the (in)actions of a player affects how they play the game. It's pretty condescending that the marketing group is more concerned with kowtowing to what appear to be pink hats than to making sure the game is the primary focus. The Red Sox have an amazing fan base and even we women have been able to stand side by side with our male counterparts as fans of the game and have an intelligent baseball discussion. Perhaps I'm don't follow the status quo, but there are a lot of women on SoSH who, imo, represent the female fan base of the Boston Red Sox far more than those who are more drawn to the CHB-type of sports personality yellow journalism on which the marketing group seems to focus. Give me a baseball game that is well played - even what some may considering "boring" - any day and I'll be happy.

Oh, and I don't think Ellsbury is particularly sexy. Pedroia, certainly, is not... In fact, the 2004 team, in general, was pretty physically unattractive but they sure did play some great baseball. Give me a fugly player who plays hard any day and it's all good.

[pappymojo]

I hate the term 'pink hats' being used to stereotype a section of the fan base. Why don't people ever complain about 'green hats' for being drunk assholes?

[Broadway Charlie]

I hate the term 'pink hats' being used to stereotype a section of the fan base. Why don't people ever complain about 'green hats' for being drunk assholes?

Thanks for your response regarding how female Red Sox fans are stereotyped by a marketing group. Fans of the game should be fans of the game and NOT fans because a player is attractive. Whether you like the term "pink hats" or not, it fits those who became bandwagon fans not because of the game but because they were attracted to a player's ass. Like it or not, it is what it is. Pink hats were marketed to that crowd, though there are some exceptions to those who wear those damned caps. It's an urban phrase that took hold... unfortunately after Red Sox and Pats female fans started sporting those stupid caps. There's no pink in baseball. Well, unfortunately, there is but the point is that the marketing group saw that there were a lot of bandwagon fans - primarily women - who would buy something because they thought a player was sexy. Imo, those women make those of us who care more about the game look bad. If you don't like the term "pink hats" then too bad. If you hear some ditz gripe about wanting to leave because she is too hot or cold and she doesn't know that a grand slam can't be hit when there is no one on base, then the fault of that "pink hat" term lies with her and those like her.

Otherwise, wear that stupid pink hat if you wish and prove that you are a knowledgeable fan... If I had my way (which I don't), I'd have a "Burn the Pink Hats" event at Fenway Park and people to destroy those damned things.

Now, the point of this is that the article points out that the marketing group determined that women want more drama and sexiness than they care about the game and that is to whom the hats were marketed, primarily. That is a real shame.

[BoredViewer]

You guys know there are shades of grey, right?

[Hugh G Rection]

Who exactly is this "Marketing group" that represents, memorobillia and merchandising, player aquisitions, book publishing and ticket sales that is targeting a specific range of fans? The book and the people who publish it have nothing at all to do with the Red Sox ownership and or the people who sell "pink hats" . The fact is pink just happens to be a certain color that sold in red sox hats. There is no collective desire by ownership to sign good looking players over ugly players, so I'm not quite sure what you are getting at and who this is supposed to be directed at. I think the fact that this team signed John Lackey points dirctly to the fact that they are willing to sign ugly ballplayers. I don't think the sale of any color hats and "bandwagon fans" have anything to do with each other. It seems more of a coincidence than anything else. Infact I know plenty of die hard woman who wear pink hats.

I think you are making a lot out of a throwaway line that has absolutely nothing to do with the red sox (and there marketing department) and everything to do with some greedy publisher that wants to sell a few books.

[Broadway Charlie]

The term "pink hat" is an urban term used to describe bandwagon fans or fans who haven't a clue about the game. Pink baseball caps just suck, imo... but that is another issue.

[Stanley Steamer]

Just another sign that feminism is dead, and has been replaced by a zombie corpse in high heels and a Bustier.

[alwyn96]

I like it when there are women at baseball games, but if you guys prefer Red Sox games to be a big sausage party, I guess that's your business.

If this "marketing" business is the worst thing in Francona's book, then it's going to be a pretty boring book. NEWSFLASH: Marketing department wants more marketable players! (And I think the "good looking sex-symbol" comment about Pedroia is a joke, and if it's not, it should be. I can't imagine anyone considers him that.)

Edited by alwyn96, 17 January 2013 - 11:36 PM.