02-02-2009, 12:04 PM
As with all things in life, it's how you respond to any given situation that you are in control of. I wouldn't doubt at all, a number of select Cub fans giving Stoney shit for going over to the White Sox. I'm not necissarily defending the guy, nor do I care if he hates the Cubs currently. What I was in control of was me, and after he saw that it didn't phase me a bit, and I was jovial with him in response, he immediately opened up the conversation in a warm fashion. Perhaps he definately meant to rib me to see what my response would be, but the net result of the initial conversation opener was a freindly exchange. Had he said to me "oh, you're a Cub fan, sorry I have no time for you" I would have come away with a much different interperitation of the situation. But once the initial response was out of the way, he was very warm, and consistently inviting my friend and I into conversation with him.
Do I think he was testing me, yup. Do I think once he saw I wasn't going to be a prick about it he decided 'this is just a nice guy, let's chat', yup.
Look I don't think the guy is some messiah, but I don't think he's a villian. I think he's a begrudged human being who carries a chip on his shoulder. That doesn't, for me, negate his vast contributions to the Chicago Cubs and their fans. He could have handled the situation MUCH differently if he truly wanted to be a prick about it. Bottom line, I walked away thrilled with the experience.
Do I think he was testing me, yup. Do I think once he saw I wasn't going to be a prick about it he decided 'this is just a nice guy, let's chat', yup.
Look I don't think the guy is some messiah, but I don't think he's a villian. I think he's a begrudged human being who carries a chip on his shoulder. That doesn't, for me, negate his vast contributions to the Chicago Cubs and their fans. He could have handled the situation MUCH differently if he truly wanted to be a prick about it. Bottom line, I walked away thrilled with the experience.