Diversity, opposition, style, passion, loyalty. There are many things that separate us. We are all individuals, shaped by our lives, opportunities, and the people who came before us.
Politics, religion, education, athletics. Some things consume our thoughts, our hearts, our minds, so much so that we are unable to see the reality of truth. We are blinded by our loyalty.
We are so certain that we are right, we forgo reason and sense with total disregard for rational thought.
You may have been born in Southie, Boston, Massachusetts. You may have been born in Manhattan, New York, New York. If you were, there is a very likely possibility that you have a hatred deeply ingrained in your heart, tightly entwined to your soul.
The New York Yankees.
Your emotions are respected here. Your hatred respected. It is reciprocal, believe it. The point is, it's part of the culture where you live, or lived. It is part of the lifestyle. It is a way of life. It is fully understood, and again expected, and respected.
You may reside in St. Louis, Detroit, Oakland, or Houston. Funny thing is, more than likely you also have a hatred deep down in your heart. The same hatred mentioned before. Yet you have no real rivalry or historical competition with the Yanks, unless maybe your from KC, Brett was an animal and a great competitor. Periodically, maybe you felt like challenging or questioning, but never everlasting as a rivalry should be.
The question is why. What motivation do you have for expending so much effort, time, and emotion to wishing the absolute demise of the Yankees? Did a Yankee fan take your lunch money as a child?
Your hatred, while understood, is not respected. It quite honestly is a point of entertainment for the true Yankee fan; A laughing stock if you will.
While the Yankee fan will never agree openly with a Sox fan, they know they are the Ying to the other's Yang. One could not be so great without the other. This is a fact.
Every Yankee fan looks forward to a Subway Series. It's an inner city rivarly that is cherished, to say the least. Bragging rights for an entire city are on the line.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Unless you and your team were directly effected in some way by a Yankee victory, or you were beat out for a high dollar free agent, you really have no reason to gripe, do you?
Your entitled to an opinion, sure, but there are too many out there who devote as much, if not more time to discrediting, and putting down the Yankees, than they do supporting their own team.
If you have spent any amount of time rummaging through blogs and articles alike on the net, you have found a plethora of annoying Yankee fans. They are abundant. It's a sad fact. They embarrass true Yankee fans with their rhetoric and over used bragging rights.
Twenty-six rings, winning sports franchise, Derek Jeter is timeless and not digressing, the Mitchell report was fixed, blah blah blah blah blah. Your not the only one annoyed. That much is certain.
Ask yourself this, have you ever spewed: bought championships, steroid-using cheaters, baseball needs a salary cap, and the new favorite...the biggest choke in sports history? Those are similar arguments to the equally annoying one's notes before.
Neither side of the argument holds any weight with garbage like that.
One of the "coolest" things to be lately is a Red Sox fan, who claims to have been one since the beginning of time. To true Red Sox fans everywhere who have endured years of agony and defeat, we all owe our salute. Your are some of the most loyal fans in sports period, and that is commendable.
If you just showed up in the last four years and you aren't less than 10 years old, you're a pathetic joke, and I'm sure any true Sox fan would agree, more annoying than even Yankee fans can be at times.
If you call yourself a Yankee fan that didn't root for Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield in the 80's while the Yanks utterly stunk, but decided to show up around say '96, same to you. You're a joke.
If you love the Cleveland Indians, but spent more time on Yankee sites talking trash than you did on Cleveland sites today, same to you. That goes for all followers of all teams.
Back to the top. Where are your loyalties?
Do you enjoy the bitter arguments about Yankee business practices, or do you spend more time wondering why your team won't step up and compete? Would you rather talk trash about Steinbrenner throwing his wallet at the game or ask why your owner won't do the same? Would you rather point the finger outward or inward? Which is more rewarding for you?
Only you can answer that. If your interest in the Yankees is simply to get a grip on the picture of the free agent market based on Yankee moves that is one thing.
If you can't wait for them to sign C.C. Sabathia, so you can be the driver of the bandwagon that is on the path singing about one more bought championship, you're a fool. Tell us again why your team won't attempt to sign the most dominant pitcher in the game this year for fair market value.
Remember it was the Mets that set that bar so high. Whoever signs Sabathia will have to match it, not just the Yanks.
If you are following your team, and supporting them means spending a significant amount of time bashing and degrading the Yanks to make you feel better, you deserve our pity.
The fact that you read this far means one of two things.
- Either you are a respectable, respectful fan of the game, or
- You're a schmuck who is analyzing this article to spout your trash in the comments.
Either way, your comments and opinions are welcome. The intellectual arguments that depict two sides of a very popular issue are always a treat.
One thing is certain, if you go back to your team's, page, blog, site, I Guarantee you probably wont find many Yankee fans there trashing and bashing your organization. More than likely, you wont have to defend your team or its employees, for the arguments being made against them, their practices, or their history.
Why is that? Why are you here still?
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about 1 month ago
Incredible. Great article Todd. "Did a Yankee fan take your lunch money as a child?" Haha, that one made me chuckle.
I know of too many bandwagon/fairweather Yankees and Sox fans that it's getting kind of annoying. I saw a kid walking down the hallway during the '08 ALCS wearing a Jason Varitek jersey. Keep in mind this kid wore a Tom Brady jersey throughout the whole 2007/08 season, and then as soon as the Giants won the Super Bowl, he went out and bought both an Eli Manning jersey and a David Tyree jersey.
I went up to him and said, "Hey man.. weren't you wearing an A-Rod jersey like, 3 weeks ago?"
His response: "Yeah... but look who's in the playoffs now."
Unbelievable.
from about 1 month ago
Im glad you enjoyed. It was a lot of fun to write. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I will attempt more additions to this topic based on the petty standard arguments we constantly hear. Maybe we can put some of that childish rhetoric to bed and start talking baseball someday. I wont hold my breath though. Take care.
about 1 month ago
great article. I live in chicago and always hear about how much the Yanks suck from cubs fans. I would understand that coming from white sox fans since they are in the same league, but it has gotten to the point where people hate the yankees cause its easy. yankee fans are guilty of bringing up 26 world championship whenever possible but that is a defense mechanism. I think bandwagon red sox fans are a disease that are along the same lines as inflamed herpes, by far the most annoying and awful people to be around. Don't get me wrong thats not all red sox fans, true sox fans are passionate and knowledgeable of the game. anyway, people are always gonna hate the yanks because they spend more money then anybody, but i would rather have my team spend more money and put a good team on the field then have the owners pocket the cash. teams like the sox, mets, cubs and countless others spend upwards of around 150 mill in one season but fans will always say the yanks are assholes for how much money they drop on free agents. I say shit or get off the pot, and what I gather from your article your saying the same thing. once again good article.
from about 1 month ago
You got my point loud and clear my friend. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. It is very disturbing the disregard folks have for their own teams lack of ambition to compete. I like the way you put it, thaks again for the read and comment.
from about 1 month ago
I like the way you put that. I think I made my point loud and clear from what your saying. Im glad people agree with this POV. It is very frustrating at times being a Yankee fan, your automatically discredited long before you are heard out as a fan. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
from about 1 month ago
wierd, my first comment didnt post, and had to re type it, guess you get two for one today. LOL later.
about 1 month ago
Really good work.
from about 1 month ago
It is an honor to have your approval. You exemplify a classy Yankee fan. Thanks Perry.
about 1 month ago
Nice article todd. I was actually born in india and started to follow baseball around 1999 in india and there werent much exposure except highlights here and there, so i cant say i have been a lifelong baseball fan or yankees fan but i have been once since 2001 and after (when i finally understood the game properly) and immigrated here around that time. So i wasnt around to root for mattingly and winfield but i still consider myself a die hard yankee fan like many of us here. And i have seen some tough times like 2001 WS, 2003 WS, then collapse of 04, and failures in DS since then, but still remain a yankees fan, respect other baseball fans in general.
from about 1 month ago
As a life long Yankee fan, I say welcome. 2001 was a great year for Yanks fans despite the defeat. We played a part in the best world series of my lifetime. Losing was a bi product. That was an important time in America, and the world, we came together over a game and it distracted us if only for a moment from the troubles we had endured during that time. It is great to know there is one more real fan out there, for each one of us there is five jokers out there. Keep up the good work, and thanks for reading and commenting.
about 1 month ago
Great article. All points are spot on, very valid and absolutely true.
I've lived about 80 miles from Pittsburgh all of my life, but I've been a Yankees fan since about 1980 when I read a book about Joe Dimaggio. I was seven years old, and I've been die-hard supporter ever since.
I never grow tired of the mild amusement I get when I see someone around here in a Boston hat. Give me a break! When did they buy it, last year? My first challenge is always, "Name three players from the 1999 Red Sox." Unless they were born or grew up somewhere around Boston, no one REALLY likes the Red Sox. Fair weather fans...
from about 1 month ago
Im in Tucson now. Grew up on Lake Champlain VT. I was on an island right in the middle, lived closer to NY than mainland VT. I was in a sea of Sox, Bruins, Celts, and Pats fans. Im a bit of a rebel, tend to cause trouble. Chose Donnie Baseball and teh Yanks as a child after my father gave me a Mickey Mantle card. Demographics played a huge part in my loyalty but now im in the desert, far away. I stay strong, amongst the Dbacks and posers. Thanks for the read and comment. Take care.
about 1 month ago
The only laughingstock is the entire Yankee organization which has been buying championships for almost a century ...and their fans who are simple minded reactionary's with no humility or brains to speak of.
Keep spending so much time spreading the Yankee propaganda though. I feel much more secure to know that you are alone in the confines of you own home typing this drivel up on your computer, as opposed to actually being out in the world somewhere where your pin-headed neanderthal mentality could actually do some real damage to our society. Keep up the good work. You're keeping us all just a little bit safer.
from about 1 month ago
Eddie I was wondering what happened to you. They must have kicked you off this site for this very type of stuff. Coming back with a new email, name, and avatar was quite clever of you. Keep it coming Eddie, your proving my points for me. I dont need to say another word.
from about 1 month ago
No new e-mail. No new avatar. In fact ...no new "Eddie." You're the third person who has called me that though. I'm dying to meet the guy. He sounds awesome. I guess great minds think alike.
about 1 month ago
NYY misery is my pleasure - always has been always will be. Not sure why, although I will say this - My Dog - AKA TAL has 3 tags on him.
1. Rabies Shot and License Tag
2. Tag with his Phone Number, Name, and "Official Mascot of Arsenal FC"
3. Tag that says "Beware: This Dog Hates All NYY Fan's and their Families"
www.arsensox.blogspot.com
from about 1 month ago
Is that the evil dog from ghostbusters? Joking sir. Thanks for reading and commenting. It is appreciated. Its great that I could get some folks who are against the Yanks talking too, even if I dont agree.
from about 1 month ago
If that dog hates all NYY fans and their families then all I have to say is
...you've got a pretty smart dog there.
Maybe you should teach him to bite ...and raise his leg on all Yankee fans as well.
about 1 month ago
Oh, and as far as CC Sabiatiha goes - The Yan*ees can have him.
As shown here.
http://arsensox.blogspot.com/2008/11/red-sox-argument-against-cc-sabathia.html
about 1 month ago
As a true long time pre-steinbrenner Yankee fan, I fail to understand the deep hatred that a huge number of baseball fans have towrad my favorite club. I do understand the yankee-red sox hatred but any New yorker will tell you that all things Boston basically suck ( especially the red sox). but also remember that the true yankee fan is also the yankee's harshest critic. This past season I am sure that the curses and foul language that was targeting the yankees from my home is much more poison than anything coming from Boston fans, but any NY'er understands that a boston fan is not as creative as a new yorker. However, from fans of other clubs hating the yankees is just plain sour grapes. I a sure you wish your club's ownership had the balls and wherewithall to purchase championships, go after all of the high priced free agents and put a wining club on the field each and every year. So next year when CC, AJ, Joba, Chen Ming, and Mariano shut your club down just remember the New york yankees are the greatest Sports franchise of all time and every one else are just also rans.
from about 1 month ago
You werent the only one spewing obcenities at the team this year. I was disqusted many many times. I was loathed for my loyalties as a child. Sox fans were like ants and I was a grasshopper. i didnt stand a chance. It built character though, and Im better for it. Great comment, thanks for the read and putting your two cents in. Take care.
about 1 month ago
I don't hate the Yankees - its just the concept of the Yankees I don't like. Their fan's are kind of jerks to you on the Streets of NY as well.
However its not like I wouldn't stop and help someone if they needed it just because they had a Yankee's shirt on.
about 1 month ago
I just came across this article and I got to say its a Pulitzer winner for sure Todd!.. You certainly have your finger on the pulse of why Yankee haters feel the need to hate our organization.. THERE IS NONE.. And I can't agree with you more about these fair weather, jump on the band wagon fans who don't know baseball rivalries. The Ying and Yang is a great line to describe the Yanks BoSox rivalry. I been thru many lean years during the 70's and 80's. The days when Jim Rice and Yaz, Fred Lynn, Carlton Fisk would come to NY and battle Munson, Nettles, Sparky Lyle. Its still great that the Yankee BoSox battle continues. You so eloquently captured the feeling along with the passion that is both mature and civil. For all too long I have be defending the Yankee way of doing business. We have been buying players since the 1920's. Then came free agency and we are just fortunate enough to have the money in a big market city to continue this method. Thanks for an enjoyable article and hopefully you reached some misguided fans who stop and ask themselves why do I really hate the Yankees and answer they don't have a reason too...
from about 1 month ago
Im so happy you enjoyed the article. I think sometimes people get so comfortable being childish about it, they forget why they really even feel that way. Its the game we love, we all love our teams for our own reasons. That in my opinion should eclipse any discontent folks have for another club, unless of course there is a rivalry. I take time off of work when the Yanks and Sox play, get a 12 pack, grab my kids, and we sit down and enjoy it thoroughly. It is my own little playoff series every time it happens. I couldnt enjoy that without the Red Sox and their great talent, and very well run organization. I dont have to like them, but I can never say I dont resepect them. Their greatness is what makes it so awesome if we win and vice versa. Thanks for the read and comment. Im glad you liked it. Take care sir.
about 1 month ago
I grew up a Sox fan in New England, so I've kind of had Yankees hatred in my blood. And it's even worse because I'm from Connecticut, where's it half-Yankees so I had deal with Yanks fans everyday. I don't really get why people from the West Coast and Midwest would hate the Yanks, but I think that the Yankees are one of those villainous teams in American sports historically, like the Cowboys, Notre Dame, the Lakers, the Raiders, and the Celtics. I think the Pats and Red Sox are moving into that territory as well though. I could probably write this same article about the Patriots.
from about 1 month ago
While I spent a lot of time during my youth growing up in northern VT, I too lived in CT for awhile. Bridgeport. I think that had a lot to do with my loyalties as a kid. I think it silly all the negativity surrounding the Yanks. Its understood, just silly in my opinion, unless your tied in through the rivalries. I agree they are a bit of a target as villains. That is a great point. Take care and thanks for reading.
17 days ago
Why hate the Yankees? Are you kidding me? They flood the market by overpaying for players in a way that prevents every other club from attracting talent. Baseball needs to enforce a salary cap and then, maybe, the Yankees will become competitive again and rely on their farm. I hate the Yankees.
from 17 days ago
Perhaps you might enjoy part three, where I break down some logical and obviously justifiable reasons for the Yanks to be loathed. There is nothing I can do to change it, but believe me when I say I totally understand. Ive been a Yankee fan since they sucked in the 80's, and my loyalties can never be changed. It doesnt make me proud that they disregard chemestry to buy superstars, but it is what it is. I understand, and agree with you, but they will always be my team. Sometimes their practices are an embarrasment, but I love them just the same.
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