Reds vs. Indians: Who has the bigger following in Ohio? (Columbus: living, food)

[stlouisan]

I would imagine that the Northern half of Ohio supports the Indians, and the Southern half supports the Reds. Where does the central portion lie?

[bjimmy24]

Probably Reds, because they win sometimes.

[American Luxury]

I would say the Reds because they have won more recently and are winning now. Not to mention the Toledo area probably supports the Tigers much more, though I could be wrong.

[natininja]

The Reds, because they are better than the Whiny Birds.

[missik999]

I would say the Reds have more fans throughout the central and southern part of the state.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by stlouisan

I would imagine that the Northern half of Ohio supports the Indians, and the Southern half supports the Reds. Where does the central portion lie?

I grew up in Ohio and get back there a few times a year to visit.

Central Ohio used to be Reds country and the Indians were an afterthought. That seems to have changed after Jacobs Field, now Progressive Field, opened in Cleveland. The Indians boosted their marketing efforts and it's closer to an even split.

[stlouisan]

Originally Posted by natininja

The Reds, because they are better than the Whiny Birds.

Is that what you're calling the Cardinals now? lol...at least we've been winning WOrld Series lately...I personally despise the Reds as a Cardinals fan.

[TheYO]

I'm an Indians fan, but I have to say that the Reds have a larger following in the state for a number of reasons:
-They've been more successful, both historically and in recent seasons.
-NW Ohio seems largely split between Indians and Tigers fans.
-Cincinnati seems like more of a baseball town than Cleveland. I think Cleveland is a football town first and a baseball town second. I view Cincinnati as the opposite. The Bengals are a better team then the Browns, but they are still having games blacked out because they can't sell out the stadium. That doesn't happen in Cleveland.

The Reds have beat the Indians in average attendance the past three seasons. Last season, they averaged over 9,000 more fans a game than the Indians.

[Ohio Hello]

Reds fan here, living near Dayton but I used to live in Toledo as well as other states.

My dad's an Indians fan, but he was raised in Akron.

I love going to games in Cinci. We usually park and walk over to Kentucky for Skyline or LaRosa's before the game. I like what Cincinnati's done with The Banks as well.

[SWOH]

In general, I don't know if Ohio is much of a baseball state. I know that seems like a weird statement since we are supposed to be the traditional "all-american state", but most of the people I know spend a lot more time following NCAA basketball and NFL football than MLB baseball.

I think baseball in Ohio is more about going to the game, grabbing a few beers and some ballpark food with friends, and having a good time more than who wins. Look at the Dayton Dragons as an example. Their record was awful last year, yet they are going into their 13th straight sold-out season this year. Why? Everyone loves the atmosphere of the game and really couldn't care less if the Dragons win or lose. They love the team, yes, but they love it because they know the game will be a good time, regardless of the outcome. I think the same is true of the Reds and the Indians.

So, my answer is neither. I have a healthy respect for both teams, and when the two play each other I always root for the Reds, because that's the team whose games I go to. If I was from Columbus, I doubt I would care either way - just get me some beer, a hot dog, and my friends, and regardless I'm happy!