Saturday, March 29, 2008

Cross Reference

I was going to write a post this evening, but instead I ended up writing a long comment on a post that FranIAm wrote as part of a discussion with me. Please see that comment if you're interested in what I have to say today.

A couple of other minor tidbits:

The baseball team formerly known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays changed their name this season simply to the Tampa Bay Rays. Presumably the change was made in order to have greater appeal to the conservative Christian section of their (potential) fan base that did not like "Devil" being in the name. I'd suggest they consider increasing their appeal even more by fielding a team that doesn't suck - though in fairness, the new ownership group is making progress in that direction. More entertainingly, the team is reportedly fining any member of the organization who uses the word "Devil" in connection with the team. Very amusing.

I am curious whether this situation may become one of those in which banning something makes it more popular.

I am also contractually required to publicly congrulate Davidson on their run through the NCAA tournament, and to encourage everyone to cheer for them to upset Kansas tomorrow (Sunday, 5pm Eastern on CBS) to get to the Final Four.

-- Satan

7 comments:

Distributorcap said...

a few years back there was the brouhaha about changing the name of the redskins -- since it was an offense to indians -- and all teams should do that

what a country, what a waste

also isnt Duke known as the Blue Devils -- do they have to change their name?

what about Devil Dogs? Deviled Ham?

i think a little devilishness is good for the soul

Ubermilf said...

It's fitting that a team named after you sucks as bad as that one does.

Satan said...

It wasn't named after me. It was named after a fish.

-- Satan

Satan said...

Distributorcap - There's even a team simply called the Devils - that hockey team that admits they play in New Jersey, instead of pretending they play in New York (as do the two football teams at the same location.)

The issue is an ongoing one in some circles. Some college teams have actually changed their names/mascots; for example the former Dartmouth Indians are now the Dartmouth Big Green.

Until now, I would have said naming your team after an animal or a plant (e.g. Buckeyes) instead of a group of humans was safe, since they're unlikely to complain. Mythological beings (griffins, angels) likewise. But apparently that's now wrong, since someone apparently doesn't like a team name taken from a fish.

I always wondered why the Fighting Illini were offensive, but the Fighting Irish were not.

Admittedly, I can see why Chief Wahoo and (especially) the Atlanta Braves tomohawk chop might be offensive. But I can say the same thing about the Milwaukee Brewers sausage race.

-- Satan

Ubermilf said...

Kansas won.

Satan is foiled again.

Satan said...

You might recall that I told you back in this post that Kansas would be in the Final Four.

The deal I made with a Davidson alum (hinted at in the comments of that same post) only took them so far. It did require me to schill for them after the games that were guaranteed, but not to hand them the game - just to make it competetive, which you must agree it was.

-- Satan

Fran said...

Well well well - so all your time was used up in that comment thread. It makes me feel oddly special.

The whole Tampa St Pete area is f*cked up and all Christian right wingtards.

And that team sucks and their park is a piece of crap tin can.

They would be better off using your name.