Nick Swisher recently commented on being traded to New York: “Every little boy at some time dreams of being a New York Yankee.”
So many players, throughout the years, have expressed similar sentiments. But why have so many, including some of the best, dreamed of being a Yankee?
It is more than 26 World Championships. It is more than the many hall of fame players who have dressed in the clubhouse in the Bronx. It is more than having had the most celebrated stadium in all of sports.
Cynics will say that because New York is the media capital of the world and of the sports universe, the Yankees will always get more headlines and more publicity than any other team. That is what so many players have craved.
And critics will always say that the Yankees have simply bought all those championships by having more money to spend than any other team; that players have come there only for the money.
But isn’t there more?
The story of greatness of the New York Yankees, of course, began with Babe Ruth. Prior to Ruth, baseball was a game that had fans, and in some cities was followed fervently. One example would be ‘Nuff Sed McGreevy, and the Royal Rooters of the Red Sox in the very early years of the 20th Century.
But with the ascendancy of Babe Ruth, baseball became celebrated everywhere. He became a mythical figure, not only throughout the United States, but as far away as Japan. This was at a time when there was no television, no Internet, and no instant communication around the world.
Babe Ruth was bigger than baseball; bigger than life. He was interesting, profane and raucous. He loved the spotlight and was loved by those directing the spotlights. He loved the fans who who sat in the cheap seats blinded by the spotlight.
Stories are told of people who would travel many miles in a wagon to see him play a barnstorming game in Oklahoma or Kansas. Many people have their own personal stories to tell of the efforts undergone to see the Babe.
He was seen across our country and in other countries in newsreel films that proceeded movies in the Roaring ‘20s. He was the first big league star to actually be in the movies. Without any question, his name was known more than any other person, let alone baseball player, of the era in which he lived. Even people who have never cared about baseball knew the name of Babe Ruth.
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about 1 month ago
A nice piece of Yankee fluff Perry!
Of course that was a stab at the simple minds sure to follow with their rhetoric and trash talk.
An absolute Gem in my opinion and POTD. Your quickly becoming one of my favorites here. I read and learn about the history of the organization whenever I can, you seem to grasp it better and have a better core experience. Im not sure of your age but you have obviously had more time being a Yankee fan than I. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I have a wall in my home 15 feet long and 7 feet tall riddled with memorabilia. One of my favorites is a photo of Lou Gehrig staring down the barrel of a handful of bats. Next in line is the very photo you spoke of, the Babe leaning on his bat facing the field with his back to the camera. Very serene.
A great peice here, Ill be sure my children will read it. I refuse to raise bandwagon Yankee fans who only root in winning seasons. They need to know the history. This is a good addition of information for them to know about.
from about 1 month ago
I appreciate your comments Todd. I am 55 years old and have been through the best of times and the worst of times to paraphrase Dickens. In one of your recent articles you wrote about those who followed the Yankees in the lean times. I remember at night, when there was no satellite tv, in the 80s, sitting at night and trying my best to tune in a radio station from New York City so I could listen to the Yankee games. I live in Kentucky so the station would fade in and fade out, but I wanted so badly to follow the Yankees and especially Don Mattingly who was my favorite on those teams. It was interesting to hear about the pictures you have. In the basement of our house, we have a game room that is almost entirely dedicated to Yankee memorabilia. I have the picture of Babe that shows his number 3. But my favorite picture because it is so unusual is one of Mickey's rookie year in '51. In the picture, Mickey has hit a homer and is just crossing home plate. But what is so unusual is there is a Yankee waiting to congratulate him. His back is to the photographer and the number on that unknown Yankee is Number "7". I could not figure that out for awhile until I read that when Mickey first came to the Yankees, Pete Sheehy, long time clubhouse manager, assigned the kid Number 6 to follow in the great tradition of Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio. But Mickey went into the horrible slump that resulted in Casey sending him down to Kansas City. When he came back up Sheehy was convinced Number 6 was unlucky for the kid so he gave him "7" and the rest is history. The photo I have is in the early part of '51 before he went down to the minors. I would love to know who is wearing "7" in that picture but I haven't been able to find out.
from about 1 month ago
I know that story about the Mick. I never knew until recently but was very interested to hear about it. Players and their superstitions are funny at times. It worked though didnt it? I have a pic of the Mick on deck on a knee, the on deck circle is a huge image of the traditional Yankee name with the hat and bat. All you see is the seven and him kneeling on the image. Another fav. Radio baseball is the best.
about 1 month ago
CHOKE! Give me a 2! Give me a 0! Give me another 0! Give me a 4! What's that spell 2-0-0-4!
I know 26 World Championships. What have you done for me lately?
I know the story was written to get reactions. You got it.
Well written however. You and your story are kind of like Jeter to me. Classy human beings in a classless organization. The Heart in an otherwise spineless business. Love Jeter. Love your story. Simply don't love the Yankees.
Doesn't make me a bad person, right?
from about 1 month ago
Only simple Yanks fans will quote the number of championships as a viable argument. Personally I find that to be a bi product of the undeniable greatness of the organization. I wont get into a pissing contest here, just want to point out, as you said there are finer points to the Yanks and thier history, Jeter, Gerhig, Munson, Yogi, Stengel. Its not all dollars and cents.
Quoting rings is no more creative than saying the Yanks buy them in the first place. They are worn out, timeless arguments that hold no real weight with true Yanks fans, or those who have legitimit reasons for hating them. George Steinbrenner may be a jerk but he built one of the best sports teams in history with his approach during his time. It hasnt all been George either, this team has a lengthy history, of both failure and success, we get shelled either way due to jealousy and envy.
As for what have you done lately, I find hard times for any team to be the time that really defines its fan base. There was quite a stretch before the mid nineties when the Yanks werent anything to write home about, funny thing is theyve had the same owner the whole time. What is it that changes, victory brings jealousy, and of course winner backing fair weather fans wind up somewhere else. The true fans stay, no matter what team they root for. Losing and still supporting builds true fans.
The choke you spoke of, do you think true Red Sox fans take more glory from the opinion that the Yankees choked and that opened the door for them to win the first championship in a gazillion years? That is to say if the Yanks hadnt choked the sox never would have won. Or do you think they prefer to think the slammed the door on us and took what was rightfully theirs? I know some sox fans, and I know the latter is the case. The Yanks didnt choke so much as the Sox emerged victorious in the face of adversity, that sounds better to both Sox fans and Yanks fans. If that isnt right, and the Yanks never choked, who knows if the Sox would have ever won I guess.
This is a prime example of band wagon hatred for the organization, not by yourself per say, you were quite cordial. Just generally, the hatred for the team is more often than not stronger than the haters own loyalties to their own team. ITs more fun making the Yanks look bad in conversation than simply supporting your own team. Again not directed solely at you Todd, just saying is all.
about 1 month ago
E tu, Todd. Why I love sports. Great debates with Great friends. Like I teach my kids and I assume you teach yours. It's only a game. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving. I'm not a jerk. It's just a role I was playing. Go Yankees. Go Sox.
from about 1 month ago
I 100% agree with you. Glad to hear Im not the only one. Take care my friend.
about 1 month ago
Not Lately
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