Even though the man produced mammoth blasts (upwards of four in one game), drove in runs, and inspired many, fans of the Texas Rangers were slowly getting tired of Josh Hamilton towards the end of the 2012 season as he appeared to mail-in performances both at the plate and in the outfield. And still, Hamilton was the biggest free agent this offseason. And, of course, he jetted-away to the arch-rivaled Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim where he now is coupled with Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
That was not so bad for Rangers fans. After all, they were getting a little annoyed.
But what finally sent them over edge occurred this week as Hamilton called the Dallas-Fort Worth area “not a true baseball town,” and said, when referring to his first at bat in the Rangers’ home opener as a member of the Angels, “The people who get it will cheer. Those who don’t will boo.”
Understandably, Rangers fans were angry. And when baseball fans are angry (or just people in general), they take to Twitter.
A popular Ranger-fan retweet these days is from Hamilton himself. On July 2, 2012, Hamilton tweeted his thanks for being voted into the All-Star Game. So what? He also referred to Rangers fans as “the #bestfansinbaseball:”
So thankful to all who voted 4 me & my teammates for the ASG! Truly an honor! We r so blessed 2 have the #bestfansinbaseball #RangerNation
— Josh Hamilton (@thejoshhamilton) July 2, 2012
But it simply goes beyond just that retweet. Like Hamilton said, some fans will cheer him when he returns to Arlington on their opening day, while the others will boo. Well, Rangers fans are trying to change that. In a movement that appears to be started by a comment from Rangers writer/Dallas attorney Jamey Newberg, Rangers fans want everyone to be silent for Hamilton’s first at bat.
There is now a Twitter account (equipped with a logo) called @Silence4Josh which is pushing forward in making Arlington silent:
On Opening Day, do not boo Josh. He wants it. He craves the attention. Don’t give it to him. RT to spread the word!
— Silence For Josh (@Silence4Josh) February 19, 2013
Nice verse for ya Josh. Proverbs 11:12 “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent” #Silence4Josh
— Silence For Josh (@Silence4Josh) February 19, 2013
And the hashtag “#Silence4Josh” is slowly becoming popular, as well:
everyone go follow @silence4josh! get this trending! #silence4josh
— KYLE HENKE (@kenkehenke19) February 19, 2013
This is awesome and I’m all for it. @silence4josh #Silence4Josh #Silence4Josh #Silence4Josh #Silence4Josh #Silence4Josh
— Zac Graham (@zacgraham) February 19, 2013
#sherlocks where you left em RT @silence4josh: Josh on Opening Day #Silence4Josh twitter.com/Silence4Josh/s…
— Greg Waggener (@HipToTheGrip) February 19, 2013
What if Josh Hamilton happens to go deep onto Green’s Hill?:
I’m just going to say it.Can’t wait to see josh on the other team and he hits a home run and I throw it back!!
— trent williams (@greenhillkid) February 19, 2013
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