It doesn’t mean much. It is just two points - which we needed - at this point in the season.
Both teams have now lost key players to injury and it was interesting to see the Penguins play a trapping style of defense against us. They played like the great Devils teams of old, playing a trap and scoring on the power play only.
We were down 3 to 0 yet the final score of 4 to 3 was in our favor. That shows we never quit as a team and that we have some terrific offensive fire power. I am proud of the team’s comeback.
The 3 to 0 deficit also brought out the worst of some folks’ instincts and emails into my inbox so here is what I am thinking: I have made myself incredibly accessible to our fans and I mostly enjoy the interaction but it is becoming apparent that some fans abuse me and have gotten into the habit of just firing off hurtful missives about me personally or about our team; certain players on our team; or our fan base. To be direct, we don’t deserve it and the abuse is probably the reason that most professional sports team owners don’t open their mailbox to fans.
Without more restraint from some of you, I will be forced to shut down my email access. It is making the process of listening to our fan base too noisy and, frankly, it isn’t much fun. Try to enjoy the ride; the team; and respect my time and space. Thank you.
Tags: Hockey, NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Washington Capitals
i dont blame you, thanks for making yourself so accessible. I never understood how you could put up with it all. it’s a shame too that a couple of idiots ruined it for the rest of us.
Ted,
It’s very sad to see the minority, although probably significant, ruining a good thing for the rest of us. One of my favorite things about being a Caps fan is knowing we have an owner and front office that cares deeply about its team and their fans. Not many fans can say that with 100% certainty about their teams; not exclusive to those in the NHL. Your open and genuine personality, as well as and making yourself available to the common fan, makes you endearing to many of us; hence the nickname Uncle Ted.
Unfortunately, I would totally understand if you have to restrict that access to the rest of us, even though it would be a sad moment for myself and many others. I hope the bad seeds wise up before it’s too late and they realize that, as a result, we are all missing out on something great and unique.
Ted,
I for one love the idea of the open free flowing communication you have. I as of yet have only emailed you once - and you graciously pointed me in the right direction to get some caps stuff for a charity silent auction. Please do not make the majority suffer for the immaturity of a few. Can you set up a “bad-person” spam filter that filters out most of the abuse?
Thank you for the patience to build this incredibly exciting team!
what a win, we keep the forecheck up and good things always happen
Ted, here is my advice. When you read your e-mails, rate them giving high scores to the ones that you like and low scores that abuse you or have some other crap in them. Then later simply block those with low rating. At first it might take some time before this approach starts working, but I am sure it won’t take long since it’s probably the same group of people who abuse you on the constant base.
Please be the same owner that you have been since got the team. Don’t let those people spoil it for everyone! I am confident that the current team success is closely related to the way you handle your owners duties. Please don’t change it now!
GO CAPS!!!
Ted, as a Caps fan that has e-mailed you several times I hope you don’t shut down your e-mail box. That being said, I think a few fans need Google’s new “e-mail goggles” before sending you an e-mail when things aren’t going so well.
I hope you don’t decide to stop receiving e-mails from fans, but I also hope that the fans get a little smarter about e-mailing you as well.
It was a great comeback to watch!
….and seriously folks, just yell at your TV. Shooting emails to Ted isn’t going to be able to magically fix anything going on during the game. That is up to the guys on the ice, and they did a pretty good job of fixing it themselves last night.
As a caps fan, i appreciate the fact that you open your email for everyone, like you said not many sports teams do that. This is my first time commenting on anything on your blog or about the teams website. It is a shame that few flakes have to ruin a good thing that your trying to do. Seems that’s the thing these days, Good people doing something good and the bad eggs have to ruin it for all of us. Ted i pray that you take a stand against these morons and stand your ground and if you do not we all understand your a busy man. Most importantly though “Lets Go Caps!!!! Rock the Red!!
Ted, I really believe you will get more respect as an owner if you lay low a little more, at least until the Caps actually win something of importance. Caps fans are no more special than any other fans, we want to win, and win now. Opening yourself up to any fool, well you’re just asking for it. Nobody will think less of you if you don’t answer e-mails, I’m sure you have better things to do.
Sorry to hear that “fans” are still sending nasty e-mails; it would be a real shame if you are forced to stop accepting fans e-mails as a result. I know I speak for 99% of Caps fans when I say that we sincerely appreciate your efforts in rebuilding the team and in making yourself so accessible to the average fan. Keep up the great work and don’t let these fringe “fans” discourage you.
That was a great comeback last night, and the two points are good too. As a wise main (Craig Laughlin) once said, “Points you get in October are points you don’t have to go look for in March.”
The effort was there, and they did it with the Pens doing a decent job on the PK and a good job vs. Ovechkin and Backstrom (Scuderi, in my mind, was the top Penguin out there last night).
I don’t like when the team falls behind, but they’re going to, and while I’d like more games like the Vancouver game, not all the games will be like that one. That said, any team that falls behind by two or more goals in three games and then goes 2-1 in those game is doing something right.
My daughter and her friend will be there on Sat. in my stead (I have Navy football tickets for Saturday, and I the earlierst I could get to VC would be about 8:30 PM, meaning late in the second.) She’ll be rocking the red though!
I am very happy with the direction the Caps are going in and the great job the front office has done to in trying to win the cup (which is going to happen sooner than later).
As an owner, a fan cannot ask for a better one than you. Just remember when you own 100% of the Phone Booth, 64oz beers in insolated mugs.
Ted,
You can hire me to filter out the outrageous emails, and I will forward the nice ones onto you. haha But seriously, you are an awesome owner! C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!!!
A couple of thoughts about the e-mail situation. First, how can you be sure they’re Caps fans? Maybe they’re just opposing fans trying to get under your skin. Secondly, one possible solution is to separate yourself by one layer. Have someone at the Caps office screen out the offensive e-mails, so you don’t have to deal with them. Don’t give in to the rabble and let them ruin it for the rest of us. There are plenty of creative ways to handle this situation without shutting down the system completely.
Please don’t let ‘em get you down. Last night’s win was terrific, and it’s lousy that a few morons would spoil any of that good vibe for you.
Rock the Red!
Mr. Leonsis, I am amazed that you are so patient about these badly-behaved adults who are abusing you by email. This has to be at least the 3rd post you have written about this subject, and it appears those who should read them the most are either ignoring them or can’t read! You don’t deserve to be treated that way.
Ted, consider talking to some of your old technical contacts at AOL, and see if they can arrange to have your email address “bounce” during games. You’d avoid all the angry-at-the-moment calls for someone’s head in mid-game, while still allowing people to talk to you when they’ve cooled off. -JW
sorry to hear that a few people still insist on trying to ruin access to you for everyone.anybody that would comment negativly before the final outcome,doesn’t understand that they play the whole 60 minutes for a reason.maybe you should have someone screen your mail first.
Ted, what about keeping a separate email address just for readers of your blog. We’re a pretty good group, if I do say so myself
Ted—-unfortunately your request to these offensive and abusive emailers will fall on deaf ears(or blind eyes in this case), because these people don’t give a sh*t.
i do not blame you and in fact encourage you to close down your accessability. life is too short for you to be boggled and brought down by these people. you have a life to lead which includes first and foremost your own family and then of course your second family, the caps and the caps’ real fans. enjoy yourself, close it down, have a great season!
i am sure i speak on behalf of all cap fans when i say THANK YOU for everything and irrespective of your closure of email accessability, we support you.
I can’t believe people would do that to you. What is wrong with people? The thing I love about this team, is when they are down by 3 goals, I think they still have a chance to come back. People need to relax and enjoy the ride. It’s going to be a great season.
If people complain about 4 points in 3 games, or now 6 points in 4 games, the hell with them. This is an entertaining team to watch. And even the best teams are going to lose a few dozen games. That is how it works in an 82 game season.
That would really stink if you have to do that but I understand.
Why can’t people be respectful and act and conduct themselves like adults.
What a group of short-minded people.
But you know the internet has given people false courage.
Sorry that some of the fans have to ruin it for the rest of us.
Ted, you’re the best owner in sports. I distinctly remember the time I sent you an email…and you RESPONDED! You could have, as my grandfather used to say, knocked me over with a feather.
Please don’t shut down your accessibility by email. It’s a symbol–and, yes, only one, but an important one–of all that is right with this franchise. I was a Caps fan in 1974, and have been ever since, even through the lean years, and I’m so pleased and excited to see this club poised to take off. It goes beyond the players; to be frank, it starts with you and GMGM (what other GM would get in a fight with another GM to try and protect his team?? That was great.).
So here’s hoping you’ll ignore the static and keep yourself out there so we can all celebrate together when the Caps bring home the Cup, which I have zero doubt will occur within the next 3 years.
Go Caps Go!!
Those are not fans and I don’t want the likes of people like that along for the ride. But I guess those bandwagon types are only here now because we are winning, oh the price of some success. I have seen some of them at the games, and they are not fun to sit around, don’t even know or care about hockey etiquette. Anyways, as a life long Caps fan I welcome all newcomers, we want and need you but please do so with respect for the entire organization and fanbase. I will be taking my 4 year old nephew to his first game tomorrow night and I hope he gets hooked on the Caps like I have been, good times and bad. We are very lucky to have an owner like Ted. LETS GO CAPS!
Ted,
I’m sorry some a-hole fans email you non stopped. I’m a huge supporter of this team. I take losses pretty poorly, but no matter what happens people have got to act with class.
I hope this is an isolated incident and you do not close down your email.
Either way, I’ve got your back : ) — not like you need it.
AND WHAT A GREAT WIN!!
Why can’t people just shout at the TV like me? Ted, I would recommend (a) block all email during games and 1 hour afterwards or (b) let emailers know that their emails and email addresses will be posted on the caps bulletin board for all to see.
I wonder how many emails the Red Sox owner was getting in the sixth inning last night?
Sorry to hear that you will be shutting down your email access. I figured that as the team becomes more popular that you would get a flood of emails if the team made one mistake. Still, there are safer ways to interact with the fans online without the threat of being spammed by angry fans. One avenue is to start reading and posting on the Caps message board. Most of the hardcore/loyal fans are members of the boards already. My only suggestion would be to have the admin create your account without the option to receive Private messages. This way you can chime in on any interesting questions or discussion without fear that you’ll get 1000’s of PM’s from fans. We value the time and effort you make to connect with us.
Ted,
Can you just ignore these guys? I’m sure they are the same people all of the time? Your accessibility sets you apart in sports ownership. Don’t let the few mess it up for the many. Politicians allow that to happen all too often. Don’t follow their lead.
Keep the communication open! Thanks.
Ted - Certainly understand your frustration. I suggest devoting an email box to “Caps” fans and team related information and having an intern screen the incoming email for dumbasses……. once the screening is complete, the email can be automatically forwarded to a designated inbox for you to read and reply too. So you don’t have to deal with the fools. It might make a quick response a little slower, but your fans (like me) can handle that!!!
GO CAPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please don’t let the obnoxious minority win and deprive everyone of something special, a connection between you and the fans. Setting limits apparently hasn’t worked so figure out a different way to manage your E-mail. Ask someone to screen it or better yet, ban the truly abusive. No one expects you to uphold their First Amendment right to be rude.
Honestly? At this point, I’d post names, Caps board handles, and email addresses, and give the idiots a dose of public humiliation. Let us swamp THEM with nasty-grams, and see how THEY like it.
A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool speaks because he has to say something. Don’t let the fools ruin it for the genuine fans.
Ted,
I am very sorry to hear about the abuse. As someone who has shot you a couple of emails and having 1. you respond and 2. enlightening me on some of the inner workings of the Caps…it will be a bummer if you shut down your account but no one would hold it against you. (I do like the idea mentioned above of having something/someone filter out the irresponsible emails to save your time). I will tell you though, I still get amazed looks and replies when I mention that you have responded to a query or two. Regardless of what you decide, you are the best owner in sports. Thanks Ted!
Ted,
You have continued to be a class act through thin and, what now appears to be, very thick. Be proud of your (our) team and organization and do what you deem necessary. The true fans will make their sentiments known in a responsible and respectful way.
Just puttin’ on the foil,
Reg
Mr. Leonsis/Ted:
I’ve said it here in comments before and I’ll say it once again. You are indeed one of the best owners in all professional sports and the experience you and your Lincoln Holdings partners provide us at Caps games is BY FAR the best in DC. Just the other day I was talking to a classmate who has had Redskins tickets in his family since 1961 and he was bemoaning the cost vs. value he gets there even though he is a rabid football fan. He indicated the conflict of being a 48 year old who basically was keeping the tickets because of loyalty to the team somewhat but more importantly that of his deceased father, who “walked a beat in DC for 20+ years”. That said he also is conflicted because he knows if his old man were alive today he’d probably tell him he was crazy.
The story is relevant because I of course told him that I am of the opposite position with regard to my Caps Season Tickets. The reason is every bit as much because of you and the other owners as it is the backoffice organization as well as the product and great young athletes who are on the team. The Caps are a class organization and a big part of it is because you are open and accessable. That said I whole heartedly agree you don’t derserve and shouldn’t have to take abuse. I urge don’t close yourself off. Consider some of the real and caring suggestions here though to limit folks to one or possibly a second strike before filtering them for the remainder of eternity. We all know this won’t stop the abuse totally but also consider the resounding support and acknowledge appreciation from the rest of us.
Thanks once again and LETS GO CAPS!!!! Rock the Red tonight so my STH partner Tom and his son have as much fun as my son and I have always had at games.
Mark
There is always someone who wants to ruin a GOOD THING!! You have a fantasic team, a great coach, and your organization really gives back! So, keep it simple and just delete them.
LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!
As a teacher…I get the nasty grams too. You wouldn’t believe what parents say to their child’s teacher, let alone a complete stranger, such as yourself. Keep a stiff up lip and turn the other cheek. You can tell how an e-mail is heading within the first few sentences so just send it to the circular file! I wish I had that kind of freedom sometimes…I envy you!
Hey Ted, I’m a caps & cats fan living in cat country… I think what you do is amazing. The cats owner is generally aloof and at times seemingly detached. I hope you don’t shut down- what you do is admirable. Keep it up, please.
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