Thank you to the fans of our team for coming out and selling out Verizon Center. Having another Red Out was really special. The team really does feed off of your energy. Our building gets really loud and when it is a Sea of Red, I personally get goose bumps!
It was touching to relive some special moments from last season and to raise the Southeast Division banner together.
And now we must stop looking back at last year; move forward; put the past behind; and now focus on this season. It was a relief to get one win this weekend and get the jitters out so now we can just go play our game and hope to improve and play the way we are capable.
So thanks again for the support and I hope we can all enjoy this season together.
I must note that my mailbox was full of some angry emails this morning – some sent 45 seconds into the game last night - concerning our performance. It is truly amazing to see some fans spew venom two games into the season. I literally have emails demanding that we waive our goaltender; that we fire our coach; that we fire our general manager; that I sell the team…all after two games in.
I hope you all understand that as time has gone on - and I feel that I have been very open and transparent and interactive to our fan base - that I am starting to just ignore or delete emails of this nature. I really don’t think I should respond nor frankly even read some of these emails any longer. To be frank, I have kind of had it with the abuse.
I am asking folks to please respect my time and my space. Please do not abuse me via email. Life is too short to drink bad wine.
Ted-
Ignore the rotten apples. REAL fans (who have been fans longer than the spectacular end to last season), will always be fans. We appreciate you for EVERYTHING you do for the team, the arena and for us. I actually feel like DC is a hockeytown now. Sorry you have to put up with idiots, hopefully the myraid comments above help make it more tolerable for you. GO CAPS!
We were at the game. It was AWESOME! Every shot from Theodore’s left was scary. Every rocket from Ovechkin was exhilarating. Ted, I never thought about e-mailing you…:) You and George McPhee have done your parts. It is in the hands of the players and our Coach of the Year now. I’m sure McPhee will make some midseason moves…but this team looks awesome. Verizon Center was rocking and we’re trying to find a few more nights of babysitter time to come to MORE GAMES!
Go Caps!
I agree with the person’s comparison about the passionate fans in Canada. Sure it’s crazy to have these emails and so early in the season. I mean I am a bit worried about Theodore’s preformance but it is way too early to pass judgement. But as the team’s fan base grows you get a lot more passionate fans, a lot more impatient fans, a lot more fans of all kinds. Remember the Redskins first game this season and everyone saying how bad Zorn and the team would be this year, after one game? Sure its probably a pain in the you know what to get those emails, Ted, but I would actually look at it as a good thing.
Hey Ted,
You should post some of the more interesting ones here and let us answer them.
That ketchup packet/bottle debate was priceless. In fact, as I was getting a straw on Saturday night, there was someone looking for ketchup packets and when I pointed out the pump bottle, they were like “Oh…” and seemed somewhat disappointed.
As for firing George or Bruce… no way. And if you sell the team, I’ll cry for a month. You are, by far, the best owner in pro sports because first and foremost, you’re one of us, one of the fans. When I heard the announcement back in 1999 (has it really been 10 years???) that you had bought the team, my smile was huge. Gone was the owner who got the team only so PG County would approve his arena, and in was an owner who was a fan. Sure you have more $$ than I do, but first of all, you’re a fan.
Ted,
Unreal….While I think everyone that was at the arena the other night was saying oh boy after the first goal was scored I don’t think I personally had any thoughts of another rebuild by firing everyone.
I think some of the above comments have said it well and I 100% agree that the fact that you even take the time to read certain emails shows the type of guy/owner you are.
For every 1 moron there are probably 500+ fans that are positive out there….. (tough to put a number on the positives though).
And come on now…you could have the Skins punter that everyone is beating up in the media….at the same time in his defense I didn’t know that punters could fumble a football…..
Keep up the good work. And Let’s go Caps!!!!
R
Ignore the morons – rocky start, but nice turnaround against CHI. I am so impressed by Semin, Steckel, Fedorov, and Flash. Semin has always had the skill, just not the discipline. Looks like something (Fedorov, maybe?) rubbed off on him. Steckel has always impressed defensively, but he is showing some offensive upside this year. To all you that were crying about the Fedorov signing (too old, too much $, etc), I am glad to see him still looking like a 25 year old out there. I know it’s early, but I truly believe this could be one of the best free-agent signings in Caps history when it’s all done with. And not because of goals or points, but because of the intangibles that we fans will never see first-hand. Lastly, I was a Flash-hater last year in a big way – I’m glad no one asked me, because he has been very impressive so far in these first 2 games. Keep it up! See you tonight vs Couver.
101 R 13/14
When the time comes I’m convinced people will send Ted angry e-mails because of the way the Caps players held the Stanley Cup in celebration.
Having been a fan of the Edmonton Oilers for 30 years, all I can say is that Washington has got a hell of an exciting team – and I’m comparing it to what may have been the best team ever (see Edmonton in 1988).
For you fans that don’t have the perspective, even a team that won 5 cups in 7 years had a lot of ups and downs. Don’t beat up on an owner that takes the time to be accessible to the fans.
Keep up the good work, Ted.
p.s. – I hope we see you in the finals this year … Oilers in 7.
Ted,
From a Caps fan who`s been cheering for this team for 27 years and has traveled to DC and even Phoenix(yep I was there for thee goal) from Vancouver to see this team,THANKS….and please do ignore the negative rheotoric,it`s all bullocks cos they all come back to cheer.
Cheers Ted
Paul
Mr. Leonis,
You have been very open and tolerant. More importantly you have been the best owner this town has seen in your committment to the team and to the fanbase. There is a percentage of any population who are completely on the extreme of any side of any issue; please don’t mind them.
We’re sorry on their behalf – keep doing what you have been doing. And thanks for a great Caps team, let’s go Rock the Red again this year!
Ted,
No matter the face of the emails whether angry or happy the end PS is always the same “can we have some tickets”. Either way, angry or not, they’ll fill the seats and purchase the booze.
Cheers!
Well, not that it’s a substitute for morons to stop emailing, but maybe you should let an assistant screen them so you don’t have to waste your time filtering out the stupidity.
I was getting set to host a poker game at my house Saturday night (how in the heck did I manage to schedule that?), and making sure the DVR was recording the Chicago game on Center Ice when no sooner had the Hawks scored. My first thought was not “I’ve got to email Ted some angry thoughts”, but, “Hey no problem, the Caps were in that spot plenty of times last year and they’ll pull the rabbit out of the hat. I bet that was the majority of what Caps fans in good standing were thinking and today, when I finally got to watch the game the Caps indeed did do just that. Two down, 80 more to go. Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, don’t listen to (or read the emails of) Mr. In Between!
Ted,
I’ve never written you before. I’ve been a fan for 30 yrs. I used to go regularly to the Cap Centre when tix prices were not out of reach but now I’ll make a game or two a year. That’s not why I’m writing. You are the best owner in the league. I know no other team owner that communicates to his fans like you do. To wear the jersey at the opener and sit with the fans is phenomanal. Don’t ever listen to the fools with their negativity or be effected by them. Your doing fine.
Mr. Leonsis:
You have every right to delete and ignore stupid emails. As you know from posts on my blog, I think you and your Lincoln Holdings partners are some of the best owners in ALL of professional sports. The experience you provode to Caps fans, regardless of where they choose to sit and how much they choose to pay is by far the best professional sports value in the DC metro. Further what you and your team give back to the community is exemplary. As for comparisons around the league, again as far as I know, and I have been to games in 5 other NHL cities, 3 AHL cities and 4 ECHL cities, the experiences in DC and Hershey are by far the best and it’s not just because of the great talent on the ice. Please don’t let the b$3*&(ds get you down. Just treat their emails as spam. I’d also point out a lot of emails are supportive, constructive or otherwise well thought out. But as you rightly point out, cheap, bad wine sux and isn’t worth even 8 bucks a bottle or the time to drink it.
LETS GO CAPS – Next up Luongo and the Canaucks!
You have to expect that when you put yourself out there. Gotta learn not to take it personally. I see on the Blackhawks’ boards they want Tallon fired and Campbell and Huet’s contracts voided. All goes back to money. Fans think spending big money to go to games guarantees them wins and perfection. Plus all fans now have an NFL mentality where every loss is the end of the world. You’d think after a few years of being a fan people would realize now matter how good your team is there will be periods where they play awful.
mike and wayne—-funny lines
Wow fire Boudreau? It’s times like these where I think we might have been a little hasty when giving free speech to EVERYONE.
People are idiots, Ted. Just look at the last two elections.
Pay them no mind. Most of us love the team and the direction in which it is heading, and we appreciate you, too.
It’s been a blast Ted, and hopefully the negativity in your inbox does decline.
Personally, I think alot of people aren’t happy unless they’re complaining about something, and I’m not sure why, but it seems there are alot of DC sports fans like that as well. The NY and Philly sports scene doesn’t have anything on DC’s market.
“It is truly amazing to see some fans spew venom two games into the season.”
Those aren’t fans, Ted. They may be customers, but they’re not fans.
Rock On!
ted—-of course I agree with you regarding the abusive and/or moronic comments you receive via email and you should not waste your time with them.
Unfortunately these type of comments and panic come with the territory of a passionate fan base and increased/winning expectations. I in fact was wondering how many negative comments you would receive after the first loss. this type of attitude is common place in montreal and canada in general, but the lunatic fans can express themselves on talk radio, which in canada is basically 24hrs a day in regards to hockey. My guess is that in dc hockey talk on the radio is still rare and therefore your amazing openness is the only outlet the loudmouths have to communicate. In addition these fans can talk via email directly to an owner, which is unheard of and a dream come true for these people and their wacky thoughts.
So bottom line and to put a positive spin on these emails—– congratulations on developing an increased and passionate fan base that come with a great young team owned by an open, dedicated, and a well-intended hockey fan himself. please always remember that the overall majority of your fan base are great fans who are very appreciative of your accessability.
the one’s demanding change must be from pittsburgh.
Ted:
all of the handwringing by some fans is unbelievable!! Seriously, folks; let the team work out the off-season cobwebs already! The Caps and Jose Theodore are going to be just fine. Will miss the Vancouver game, but can’t wait to be back at the Phone Booth to see the Caps beat the Devils! LETS GO CAPS!!!
Just so you know, Ted, my angry emails are always well thought out. 45 seconds into a match just seems excessive;)
I have to admit I wasn’t happy with the Atlanta game but have these people forgot last year??? Patience isn’t always easy but is a necessity. Chill people.
Ted,
best,
Thanks for all the gameday improvements. I saw a stat in the paper last night that our Top 20 scorers are returning, that kind of continuity in professional sports is unheard of these days.
As a cheap seat guy, really appreciated that 2 sections upstairs won promotions. Also really appreciate the improved exchange nights and the integrated Rock the Red promotions.
Everything about opening night was a success, let’s have as much fun the last 40 home games as well. If you want to sit in 420 one night, glad to trade seats with you.
chris
Don’t listen to this crap Ted. Fans LOVE the Caps and you and GMGM and Bruce. Ignore those ass….. Magical game last night! Go Caps!!!
Amen, Ted. People can be unappreciative, even of a great thing. Hopefully the fantastic crowd last night redeemed your opinion of some of US? Thanks for your candid request; and thanks for doing everything in your power to make the Caps an exceptional team. Delete on.
I agree, get a life people
Mr. Ted,
It is amazing to me that you recieve this kind of abuse when you have done everything you said you would do for the team and its’ fan base. I work in customer service and I have done it for a while now and I can tell you 1 unchanging fact: now matter what you do, there are miserable people out there who will try and tear you down. Remind yourself that you are wasting your time with them and that they are in the minority. Thanks for your hard work, and when you drink from the Cup you can signal to those whiners that you are number 1 now (perhaps with a certain hand gesture:). See you in the Red Sea.
Did Brashear take on another 18-year-old? A sure crowd pleaser!