NEW YORK, July 16—In an un-surprising uproar of disrespect, New York Yankees fans once again proved their lack of class Tuesday. But this showcase of stupidity and vulgarity was put on hours before the eighth inning crucifixion of Boston Red Sox All-Star Jonathan Papelbon. He was every bit a part of the situation however.
Before the All-Star game and its never ending pre-game festivities, a parade was held. The parade traveled along 6th Avenue from 40th to 58th Street in Manhattan.
Fans were given the chance to see more than 100 past and present players, including 49 Hall of Fame members as they rode by. How did the Yankee fans decide to behave when given the opportunity to tell any and all rival team members what they thought of them? Well how else would you expect them to react? They booed.
That's all well and good and a part of baseball (especially for New York), but it's over the line when it moves beyond the players and starts involving their family.
How can you justify yelling and chanting expletives at a player who is sitting directly next to their pregnant wife? But let’s not even start there, how can you justify the reason you were so upset with this player when it was all based on twisted words by the New York "media"?
Let’s take a look at some of the things Jonathan Papelbon said during the interview that somehow produced headlines like "Papelbum" and "I deserve to Close, not Rivera."
"I've always referred to (Rivera) as the Godfather, you know, no pun intended being in New York," Papelbon said. "That's what he is, man. You know, he's kind of the Godfather. He's been a main contributor of making this role what it is today. A lot of the younger closers in this room like myself do owe a sense of respect to him."
Papelbon showed nothing but respect for Mariano Rivera and his accomplishments. He simply made a comment that should be expected out of a player of his caliber. He said he's a closer and it's his job to close and that he'd like to do his job. That's it. He made no demands and certainly didn't disrespect Rivera.
“That was an easy headline for that (expletive) to say, ‘Yeah, Papelbon wants to close.’ Of course I do, that’s my competitive nature. But I’m stepping away and saying I don’t need to close.”
The word twisted headlines based on complete fallacies were enough ammo for the Yankees fans though. Heck, they wouldn't have any hope for the playoffs this year if they based any of their hopes on facts.
So they took their imagined insult towards their beloved closer and their aggression and took it out on pregnant women and children. Class acts if you ask Mariano.
"That's how the fans are here, you know," Rivera said. "It was great."
Others didn't find the antics so "great."
"I had my kids with me, so there was probably a few choice words that we wouldn't like a six-and an eight-year-old to hear for an hour." said Jason Varitek.
“It kind of (ticks) you off when your family gets involved like that and you’re trying to enjoy an experience with your family and you have a wife who is pregnant who doesn’t feel safe riding in a red carpet event with you. How would you feel?”
It's sad that a rivalry between two...well one professional baseball team and another significantly less professional team has to go to the extremes of making women and children scared of their surroundings. But I suppose that's now the norm when it comes to the third place Yankees and their classless fans.
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2 months ago
Not that it makes it any more right but if you turn the tables and put an All-Star Game in Boston, had Rivera say something that got skewed...because Bob Ryan and the precious Globe or Herald has never done that...Completely turn the tables. What is the result going to be. I'll give you a hint, Rivera isn't going to get a Christmas card. You cannot, cannot say that Boston fans would act any differently. And also, not that I don't believe Pap heard some bad things during the parade, but "my wife didn't feel safe"? Come on man, it's 6th Avenue in NYC. We're not talking about caravaning 100 of the best players and legends of MLB through the slums.
2 months ago
i remember reading an article earlier this year about how someone who was dressed in yankees attire in a boston bar got beaten. papelbon was an idiot for saying that he should have closed.
from 2 months ago
You may have read the story about the women (Yankees fan) who hit and killed a Sox fan with her car over an arguement.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8107040/Yanks-fan-charged-with-murder-in-Sox-
2 months ago
Nice article, and everything you stated is based on facts. It does however, seem a little biased due to the fact that you are obviously a Patriots fan and it can be reasonably deduced that you are probably a Red Sox fan. With that in mind you were probably, understandably so, more upset by the events that occurred.
My point is that I don't think you are bringing peace to the situation by repeatedly using words like 'Classless' and pointing out that the Yankees are in 3rd place. Let's be perfectly honest, some Red Sox fans aren't the most polite either.
from 2 months ago
I will never deny that Sox fans aren't perfect. This is simply my comeback to the events yesterday. Whether the Yankees would have been booed in Fenway or not doesn't make what happened before the game right.
And your assumption are correct, my fanship for the Patriots is a good indication that I am also a Sox fanatic as well. I love the Sox/Yanks rivalry and I hope it's always there, but I draw the line when it get to the point that it did yesterday.
2 months ago
Than somebody should of wrote an article about the red soxs fans beating up a yankees fan...
from 2 months ago
Feel free to. It wouldn't be much of an arguement though. It'd be pretty hard to convince anyone that the actions of exactly one individual portrays what other fans are like. It's much easier when they all do the same thing, you know like yell and swear at pregnant women and young kids.
Oh and one thing that made perfect sense- Yankees fans wanted to see Rivera in the 9th, that was made abundantly clear. So why chant Mariano in the 8th??????
2 months ago
Why would fans be so upset with Paple-bum so to as boooo him? I brought my kid to a Fenway game and they were chanting "Jeter s*cks A-Rods d*ck." I asked one guy to stop it b/c of the kid and he said f*ck you and your kid. The crowd cheered him, and my boy got real upset. Boston has the worst fans in the league, unless ya play for Boston that is.
Feel bad for Pap, why? He shouldn't have had his pregnant wife there to begin with, especially with his words the day prior? It's negligence. And what he said was not very courteous. But hey, he does want to set the new financial standards for closer (S. Training ring a bell?) because he certainly cant set the standard on the field. Mo's perfect, again! Hows Paplestupid doing this year?
Should we talk about what sox fans say to Yankee players now too, or just consider it part of the rivalry. Which resulted in one sox fan, who was screaming Yankees S*ck at a fan, getting run over and killed. The inciting / crazy ranting has gone to far on both sides, but maybe this article is the first step in healing. Or maybe you just want to keep it going. My brother has been a sox fan since 1973, only 1 of 9 kids; the rest are Yanks. He became one after playing tee-ball for the "red sox" who turned a triple play...tee ballers. Dad says, "Yeah, but he had to learned it from a Yankee."
I just tell him 26, and that pretty much ends it. Or Wade Boggs will do it too - note:he was wearing a Yanks hat during the softball game. :o)~
from 2 months ago
I would think Papelbon's appearance in and selection to the All-Star game would be an indication of how his season is going...unless that's not as obvious as I know it is...
from 2 months ago
paple-bum, papestupid. That was very creative and funny.
2 months ago
Being in the All-Star could really have nothing to do with skill level. All you have to do is be able to get votes. People vote for their favorite players. Red Sox and Yankees are the two main favorite teams in the league.
from 2 months ago
I guess we then have to resort to good old stats.
40.2 Innings pitched, 11 earned runs, 3 wins, 28 saves (2nd in MLB), and a 2.43 era.
That's called an All-Star season.
from 2 months ago
Ok, lets do bring in stats
42.1 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs, 4 Wins, 23 Saves, and a 1.06 era.
2 months ago
I don't think you can strictly judge ALL Yankees fans on this incident.
It's also just part of rivalry spirit. I agree with others that if the game were in Boston, Yankees would be booed. If the game was St. Louis, Cubs would get booed. Etc.. Etc...
2 months ago
FUCK THE RED SOX & THE PATRIOTS HOW BOUT THAT ONE BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from 2 months ago
Thank for your wonderfully insightful and intelligent post, it did wonders for the perception of Yankees fans.
2 months ago
Funny, you talk of the twisted New York media yet everyone is reporting that Papelbon's wife received death threats based on the words of..............you guessed it, Papelbon. Everyone is also jumping on Papelbon being quoted as saying that he should have been in a bullet proff car like the Pope without looking at the context of the interview where he was smiling and joking. Oh the drama for a guy who lets his dog eat a world series ball. Papelbon is an idiot and needs to learn to think first and speak later. The fact is Papelbon opened his mouth and only after getting heat did he change his mind and flip flop.
Now, let's talk about classless fans. Following any of the Yankee World Series wins there no violence, no riots, nothing but good clean celebrating. Rewind to the Sox victory is 2004 where the city was ovverrun by a bunch of idiots causing one girl to lose her life. That's class indeed, Aaron!!!
2 months ago
It was the same way a few years ago in Boston. Every Yankee got jeered. Big deal. That the beauty of the rivalry. Unless you are a Yankee fan or a Red Sox fan you wouldn't understand.
2 months ago
After experiencing this rivalry first hand to be honest I was a little shell shocked. I've done Cardinals Cubs, Capitals Penguins, Raiders (and anyone), and Skins Cowboys. Rivalries are tough. They are supposed to be. That's what's fun. But I've seen more than a few little kids get heckled in the bleachers for wearing Sox stuff, or fans throwing up the finger in front of families. It has escalated to a new level where it's a lot of fun for us older fans, but it's not doing the sport any good.
It's no longer about the baseball but about bashing each other. That's not a rivalry, that's just anger.
But boo-ing at the All-Star game I honestly think is out of line. ESPECIALLY when they are being announced with Hall of Famers. Boo Manny when he steps in the box. i don't care, but don't bring opening ceremonies to a lower level because of it.
And Papelbon should have known the firestorm he was starting, but like everything in this rivalry it was blown way out of proportion, making a great event not so much fun for a lot of people.
2 months ago
First off, Aaron, will you marry me? No, really you might be the man of my dreams!
Secondly, I am a bit of an anomaly. I am a lifelong Red Sox fan who grew up in a Mets household in New Jersey. Even though I'm a Jersey girl I made the decision at the ripe old age of 4 that the Red Sox would be my team and I consider it one of the best decisions I ever made. I went to college in Providence, RI and lived there for two years afterwards. Then I moved to Boston for three years and now I'm back in NYC. Having spent a significant amount of time living in both places I can tell you that, without a doubt, Yankees fans are far worse. They bring obnoxious and disrespectful to a whole new level.
Are Red Sox fans passionate? Of course! Are there a few INDIVIDUAL members of Red Sox Nation that take things too far? Absolutely! As you said though, a few stupid individuals do not reflect the fan base as a whole.
While I lived in Boston I met several Yankees fans who went to Fenway. By and large, they said the same thing. They had a great time. One guy even showed me a picture he'd taken with the Boston PD. He was wearing his Yankees hat at Fenway and they all started joking around. As a gag to take home to his friends, he asked the Police to handcuff him to his seat and had someone take a picture. I saw the photograph- everyone is laughing!! They were all just having a good time in the spirit of good natured competition. Somehow I don't think that would ever happen at Yankee stadium...
2 months ago
Don't complain that Papelbon or Ortiz or Manny didn't get the cheers they "deserve". I don't know how you could even expect that to happen in Yankee Stadium. I think I'd actually be pretty annoyed if they didn't get booed. They're arch rivals...honestly, what did you expect?
PS - If you're going to call in stats, you're trumped. Rivera has had the most dominant first half he's ever had, 23 for 23 in Save Opportunities.
from 2 months ago
I don't quite understand why you're acting like you didn't read what the article said, unless youd didn't. The booing during the game wasn't even the center of the arguement
As for the stats I offered for the 3rd year closer Papelbon, it was to prove his right to be there. I could care less what Rivera put up, it's gotten them to 3rd place so far. He's got numbers, Papelbon has numbers. They were both deservedly in the All-Star game so I don't know where this his season is better than his season crap is coming from
from 2 months ago
I agree that they both strongly deserved to be there....I as a Yankees' fan would have voted for both of them had I been able to!
If they had trade places before the season the Sox would have a bigger lead!!!!
2 months ago
Aaron: Don't try to make it seem like all Sox fans are complete angels. Some Boston fans have become everything (possibly worse) that they used to bitch and moan about regarding the Yankees' and their fans! You know that Yankees' players and fans would have, and have had it, it just as bad if not worse in Boston!!!! You really need to get off of the high-horse just a little bit!
Just for fun, Here's for your mention of the Yanks' current standing (and other stats):
The Yankees have won 10 out of the last 12 division titles.
The 2004 ALCS was as much the Yankees choking the series as anything!...some of the same last year with the Sox being down 1-3 to Cleveland. I'm not taking all credit away from Boston, but it is funny how hardly any Boston fans (esp diehards and yourself) will ever admit how fortunate they have been!
The all-time series is 989-776 including 11-8 in the postseason in favor of the Yanks'!!!!
Finally....26 to 7....I'm sure you can figure that one out on our own!!!!
Just adding Yankees' fanatics' point of view to balance things out a bit!!!! : - ) lol
2 months ago
2 outta the last 4 is all the counts in my books.
from 2 months ago
Oh come on Aaron, don't shy away from the Yankees historical domination! lol
2 months ago
P.S. AARON BOONE!!!! : - )
from 2 months ago
lol Oh lets go all out.
Aaron Boone
Grady Little
Pedro "Who's Your Daddy" Martinez
Rough times, but the Sox appearances in the playoffs back in 03 were a sign of things to come.
from 2 months ago
Nah....just a sign of the Yanks' greatness!
Yanks will make a push this year, and you know they're gonna be baller when they Have Wang, Joba, and add another stud starter to the rotation!
LOL
2 months ago
Yeah I did read it. and I already commented on the absurdity of Papelbon's wife being fearful of her life. I'm just saying, Papelbon is a hell of a player but don't be so biased to not acknowledge Rivera at all. There's never going to be any love lost for a Boston player in NY and I wouldn't expect any less from Boston for a Yankee player. There's no issue though. It doesn't have to do with Yankee fans having no class, it's just the nature of the rivalry.
from 2 months ago
I'd be a liar if I told you that I truely believed ALL Yankees fans had no class. But in the nature of the rivaLry, you gotta put out a good headline and article :)
2 months ago
I can see one of two things happening-
The Yankees making a trade or picking someone up doesn't really affect either of the two scenarios either.
1: The Rays impressive run starts to fade off a little bit and their lead over 3rd shrinks until the Yankees finally take over 2nd and then possibly the Wild Card.
2: The Rays keep proving everyone wrong and keep a hold on second and grab the Wild Card themselves or at least get close to it, leaving the Yankees in 3rd and out of the playoffs.
2 months ago
I'd like to point out that before and during the '99 All Star Game at Fenway Park, the Yankee players were not booed, they were applauded like every other all star.
Also, it should be mentioned that Mariano Rivera once got a standing ovation from Sox fans at Fenway Park (2005 Opening Day). Some of you will know why that happened, haha.
from 2 months ago
Wow....some Yankees' wer elightly applauded for a few seconds. That certainly does erase all of the times when they were booed to no end!!!!
LOL
from 2 months ago
I'm not saying it erases anything - I'm saying the ASG is about respect. When you boo a player in the ASG, that is classless (unless we're talking about a known cheater).
2 months ago
okay the booing at the stadium and at the game and the "overrated" and "MARIANO" chants were completely warranted. There is nothing wrong with that, anyone that says it devalued the pre-game ceremony is an idiot and doesn't know anything. If that is the case, then why is it unaninmous across the entire media that this was one of the greatest, if not the greatest ceremony in All-Star game history? As far as him being booed in the parade that is a little bit more of an arguable point, but again I still do not think it took away from the event. It is ignorant, however, to say that every Yankee fan at the parade was cursing him and his pregnant wife out. Yes, there were fans that were doing it, and yes that is undoubtedly wrong, but what about your point about the actions of a few fans are not enough to cast a stereotype on all fans, is that only true for your precious Red Sox Nation?
from 2 months ago
The entire point of the article was to sound over the top and...well insulting to the Yankees fan base. That was my revenge, using things that a very select few did to get back at the whole because I'm obviously a Sox fan. I'm completely biased because of that fact, I only have one side, but that doesn't mean I don't have some common sense. I completely agree with you in all honesty, you're right about it only being a few of them and you're right about Sox fans possibly doing the same thing in terms of the booing. Now I've never heard of our side threatening players wives so I was geuinely upset while writing this, but it was written with the entent on getting a reaction out of people.
2 months ago
Fair enough. Passion is at the core of every great sports fan. Keep up the love of the game.
2 months ago
this article was very biased and did not recognize that boston fans are pretty harsh and in my opinion are worse then the new yorkers, and i'm a red sox fan, but thats what makes the rivalry great.
from 2 months ago
great comment, Im a Yankee fan i think think both are bad and that does make the rivalry great. If this allstar game was in boston and it was Mariano is Papelbons decision, we all know boston fans would have done the same thing
from 2 months ago
That's the only defense any of you seems to have. "They would have done....blah blah blah"
It reminds me of the phrase "But he did it to me first!". It's childish to validate the actions of these fans before, during, and after the game simply because you think others would have done it.
By saying it's okay since you think Boston fans would have threatened women and children had the roles been reversed you're basically admitting that the actions were wrong and you would have been upset and insulted had it been done to your team. So own up to what your fellow fans have done and teach them some class.
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