Does booing a player actually help that player perform better?

Question

If not, why do it?

Answer 1

I think it does make them better.  No players would want fans to continue to boo them.  I am a Phillies fan, and like all Phillies fans, I am not hesitant to boo.  I believe the Phillies respond well to boos. Philadelphia has some of the most knowledgable sports fans, and they know what they want.  Pat Burrell was booed for years, and this season has been his best, and he has stopped being booed.  I don't know how it works for other teams and players, but it works for the Phils.

Answer 2

BOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! How do you feel?

Answer 3

Definitely depends on the psyche/mindset of the player. Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports and if you are distracted, it becomes that much harder.

I'll give you 2 examples- a few days ago Gary Sheffield started off the game with a couple bad plays, was booed by his home fans, then clocked a 97-mph AJ Burnett fastball for a homer...then followed with another his next at-bat.

A guy who comes to mind as being someone who was unable to handle the pressure of being booed was Corey Patterson in Chicago. Expectations were so high for him that when he failed and the fans started to get on him, it snowballed to the point where his hitting approach was jacked up beyond all repair.

Why do fans boo, you ask? Because they spend 50 bucks to see good baseball and when we don't, we're not happy.

Answer 4

I completely agree! I never understand why you would ever boo your own player! It makes no sense!

Answer 5

I think it depends on the player and how thick their skin is. Some players take offense to it and play horrible while others  play a h**l of a lot better because they want to prove them wrong.  

Answer 6

Depends on which players.

Barry Bonds= Helps him perform

Others= No

Barry Bond doesn't care what the crowds reaction is he just plays.  

Answer 7

U BOO THEM JUST LIKE YOUR BOSS WOULD SCREAM AT YOU FOR NOT DOING A GOOD JOB, LETS THEM KNOW THEYRE NOT DOING OK AND MUST BE BOOED.

Answer 8

It depends on the Player

and sometimes they boo for different seasons like, if you at home and they Boo apparently your Struggling, and if your on the road they know your good and understand you can hurt them on the field

Answer 9

Some players get motivated more than usual when they are booed, so it could help in that respect. But some respond badly to it and could just get worse and worse and worse

Answer 10

It really depends on who the player is.

Some guys will let it eat at them and play worse. ( Felipe Lopez )

Some guys will absorb it and come back out and buckle down defensively because of it. (  Derek Jeter )  

Answer 11

It could work either way..

In general, when players get booed at oppessing stadiums this only helps them. Because there is nothing better then shutting them up. Not to mention the fact that ussualy only the really good players get booed on the road.

But if you get booed at home, it cant be helpful. Many players can shake it off, but many of them take it personally and it can get into their heads. In baseball, you dont want to be up in your head. You want to have a clear mind and focus 100%.

Answer 12

no not exactly it could distract them from playing or they could get mad and throw a ball at you or something or it could make them stronger or it could do nothing at all