The Athletics twitter-verse was abuzz with tweets about Stephen Vogt yesterday morning. Vogt, a fan-favorite and one of the longest-tenured players on the current roster, was designated for assignment and is expected to be claimed off waivers or traded to another team. Clearly, fans still believe in Stephen Vogt. In fact it seems that everyone (fans, media, and team mates old and new) still believes in Stephen Vogt.
Twitter reminding us today that baseball fans are Stephen Vogt fans. Vogt is, to borrow a phrase he used often, some kind of special.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) June 22, 2017
A look at his stats for the 2017 season thus far seems to belie all the positive tweets. Why wouldn’t fans be happy to see a guy batting just .218 with four homers go? A catcher who leads all catchers in the AL in errors and is league-worst at throwing out base-stealers?
One reason is that it’s hard to forget a game-winning, walk-off hit in the 2013 ALDS. Or that he was a two-time All-Star (2015 and 2016).
https://twitter.com/SayHey14/status/878099293197934592
But even more so, it’s hard to dislike a guy like Vogt. He is seen as a veteran clubhouse leader:
Doolittle is reeling over loss of Vogt. "He was the unquestioned captain of this team. I'm still processing it."
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) June 22, 2017
Fans Still Believe in Stephen Vogt
He is a fan-favorite, likely because he engages with fans and is always willing to chat, sign an autograph, or take a photo.
My favorite memory of @SVogt1229… when he actually stopped before getting on the bus and signed for us during the LAD series in LA. #IBISV
— Petty LaBelle (@shicetygrl) June 23, 2017
His fan-favorite status was cemented by a hilarious sketch that he did on MLB Network in which he hilariously imitated a basketball referee, SNL-style (he can also do a great Matt Foley).
https://youtu.be/lbRnCn-oU3M
Fans in the right field bleachers loved him so much that they made up a chant for him, the now famous (in Oakland) “I believe in Stephen Vogt!”. The chant became so popular, in fact, that it was incorporated into a talking bobble head as well as a t-shirt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URGVoTVo3no
Besides being a clubhouse leader and a fan-favorite, Vogt’s admirable character shines through in his work in the community. In particular, he has been very involved with the School of Imagination. The School of Imagination serves children on the Autism spectrum. Stephen started the Vogt Family Fund. He also appeared at benefits and helped with fundraising efforts. His true character is revealed, though, by the way he interacted with the students on a personal level. It is evident from the video below that he is a kind and caring individual.
So, yes, fans are sad. They are angry at management:
If @Athletics want to win again, buy out Beanes 40mil contract, and say goodbye to HIM! #DFABeane
— Jorge Leon (@Jorgeleon17) June 22, 2017
But, according to Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle, even management had a hard time with the decision:
Forst says decision to DFA Vogt incredibly hard given all he has meant to team and community.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) June 22, 2017
Despite all the love and support being shown to Stephen Vogt on social media right now, baseball is, in the end, a business. A’s fans will have to find a new player to cheer and chant for, but it will be hard to find a guy who compares to Stephen. Those are some big white cleats to fill.
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