Marty Brennaman Continues to Make Fans in Chicago, Calls Cubs Fans 'Brain Dead'

There's been quite an uproar amongst Cubs fans in Chicago the last few days over the comments that Reds announcer Marty Brennaman made about Cubs fans being "the most obnoxious in baseball." As should be expected, Cubs fans have cursed Brennaman's name between sips of Old Style and not paying attention to the game they're watching.

Well, calling Cubs fans obnoxious just wasn't enough for Marty, because he felt the need to go on local radio in Chicago on Friday and talk about them some more. (Last item)

After Cincinnati Reds announcer Marty Brennaman suggested that frustrated Chicago Cubs fans throwing baseballs on their home field "makes you want to see the Cubs lose," he expanded on those thoughts Friday on Chicago's ESPN Radio 1000: "I understand all these fans are all upset. Half of them are probably brain-dead to begin with."

Considering that the Reds have to come back to Wrigley two more times for serieseses in July and August, I'm not sure this is the smartest thing he could do. I mean, who is to say that those drunken, obnoxious, brain dead Cubs fans won't break into the Reds broadcasting booth and throw him to the seats below?

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Marty's comments also force me to do something that, as a White Sox fan, I should never be forced to do: defend Cubs fans. Listen, Marty. I know there are a lot of dumb Cubs fans. I'm friends with a few, but get the hell over it already. There are a lot of dumb sports fans in every city in this country. Hell, there are just a lot of dumb people in this country period.

The reason the Cubs never win has nothing to do with their fans. Everybody knows it's that billy goat's fault..and that damn black cat's fault....and Steve Bartman...and the fact they just suck. Throwing baseballs on a field never cost them a game, let alone a World Series. Sorry, No Photos

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

4-21-2008 @ 3:07PM

JBIndy said...

Marty may have once been a great broadcaster & may be in the HOF but I decided last season he had officially become little more than the crotchedy old man that isn't happy unless he's complaining.
As a lifelong Cubs fan that's married to a lifelong Reds, Reds radio broadcasts are almost always on in my house. I generally like Marty & usually agree with him but I'm too surprised by this & can only roll my eyes. He finds something to rant about in nearly every game, whether it's about some fans or the Reds play that day.
FWIW, I partially agree with him about the idiots that have turned the bleachers into a see-or-bee-seen frat party. But I am irritated with his sweeping accusation of Cubs fans & his insistence to fan the flames.

4-21-2008 @ 3:38PM

Panger said...

Dear Marty:

Would you prefer we throw them at you?

To me, it's a proud - and entertaining - tradition. To you, the sign of cerebral nonfunction.

But you might have a point about our "obnoxiousness," so this Cubs fan will work hard to improve her manners. Perhaps one day I can learn to be as classy as Marge Schott was.

4-21-2008 @ 3:53PM

Tim said...

Hey, they can't help it that they're retarded- they do live in Chicago after all.

4-21-2008 @ 4:03PM

Ed said...

Hey Tim,

What farm do you live on?

4-21-2008 @ 5:31PM

A small farm called New York City.

4-21-2008 @ 7:49PM

Brewers Baseball said...

It's true though, and they cultivate the look.

Everytime the Cubs come up to Milwaukee we expect trouble.

4-22-2008 @ 6:37AM

Web said...

So true.....the hurdling masses at sporting events, has always baffled me.

4-22-2008 @ 7:00AM

Nick Schutz said...

Marty says that nobody likes the Cubs and that everybody outside of Cub fans want them to lose. If you watch any of their games you will more often than not hear a loud collection of Cub fans at any ballpark they are at. Marty is an IDIOT

4-22-2008 @ 7:17AM

Chaz said...

Tom,Tom,Tom,you went and gave these "brain dead fans the idea to break into the announcing booth. What the..?

4-22-2008 @ 8:08AM

squids said...

very good Tim ,small farm NY, Bostom idiot here, but that really made me laugh heartily. Thanks!

4-22-2008 @ 8:01AM

Barbara said...

Cub fans are the most loyal in baseball. They may be a trifle exuberant at times, but Mr. Brennaman has blown this incident way out of proportion. He seems to be using it as a way to get himself some publicity. He also insults plenty of Cub fans that no longer attend the games because of high ticket prices or health reasons. Actually, considering the incident in its entirety, Mr. Brennaman is the one that comes out looking stupid. Does he skip road games in Philadelphia?

4-22-2008 @ 8:10AM

vin scully said...

as much as i'd like to pile on just for the sake of piling on, my true experience is that cub fans here at dodger stadium have been friendlier and more courteous than many of the dodger fans in attendance, and certainly nicer than almost all of the dodger stadium staff and employees.

4-22-2008 @ 6:37PM

chris said...

The rudest fans i've been around are in Baltimore and Philadelphia. I've been a CUBS fan my whole life and will always be.Maybe instead of throwing the ball back when your in town next. We will throw you out of the pressbox instead

4-22-2008 @ 8:18AM

buddy said...

just consider the source----more sport writers--announcers---color men---all come from a different linage------

4-22-2008 @ 8:31AM

Blu said...

Brennaman is an expert at judging obnoxious fans. He has called games in relative in obscurity in the mini-market that is Cincinnati for just too many years. Being exiled to the land of nothing he's seen some really moronic behavior, After all it's Ohio!!
Therefore an expert idiot, if not one himself.

greg said...

Cubs fans are among the most knowledgeable fans in baseball. What got Marty hacked off was the tossing of many baseballs onto the field after a Cincy homer, which, admittedly, was a stupid thing to do and not a custom at the field. But at least they don't cheer the injury and potential paralysis of players for the opposing team like those troglodytes in Philadelphia.

4-22-2008 @ 8:36AM

It's a custom for Cubs fans to throw the home run BALL back onto the field, not dozens of them. That wrinkle was new, and should end where it began.

4-22-2008 @ 8:42AM

dave said...

It takes one brain dead fan to know another so there you go Marty.

4-22-2008 @ 8:58AM

Mark Elliott said...

I'd have to rank Philadelphia first, New York second and Chicago third on the obnoxious list. In college sports, USC, Michigan and Ohio State fans are the most obnoxious. But when it comes to sports announcers, Harry F'n Carrey was by far the most obnoxious of them all including Chris Berman and cockeyed Stuart Scott from ESPN.

4-22-2008 @ 8:50AM

Rich B said...

I am from New Jersey and grew up a Mets fan. I sort of lost interest in baseball in the 90's. In 1998 I decided to go to Wrigley Field. I fell in love with Chicago and am now a brain-dead Cubs fan (well, I am a lawyer so there may be an element of truth). I go to at least 3 games a year. Quite honestly, I have never witnessed obnoxious Cubs fan behavior. And, when rivals are in town, Cubs fans are more than civil to the rivals' fans in the watering holes of Wrigleyville. There are other venues where the hometeam fans are obnoxious and have let loose with their venom towards Cubs fans.

The truly most obnoxious event I ever witnesed was when the Red Sox played the Cubs at Wrigley Field and the Sox fans began chanting "Yankees suck!" for innings on end and continued to do so as they were exiting the park, despite their immediate proximity to small children who really did not need to hear that and other profane statements.

I guess my point is, those who are obnoxious get heard while the overwhelming majority watch the game, cheer their team, and live with the obnoxiou ones. All teams have their share of over-the-top fans.