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| If you know me, then you know that I’m a huge baseball fan. Specifically, I’m a diehard supporter of the New York Yankees − the most storied franchise in all of sports. It’s not hard to understand my loyalties. I‘m a former season ticket holder who was born and raised in the Bronx, and my Dad owned a sporting goods store in the Boogie-Down for over 25 years. Oh, and there’s the benefit of rooting for a team that’s always good. But maybe all’s not well that ends well. To the victor may go the spoils, but what if the victor is just plain spoiled? A little man once re-dubbed my Bronx Bombers as “The Evil Empire.” What if − gasp − he was right? | In many ways, to know and follow the Yankees is to know and follow America. Each has achieved unparalleled success and recognition, yet both are reviled as much as they are admired. The Yankees and the U.S. each maintain incredible wealth and an ability to play by their own rules, and that is ultimately their blessing and their curse. Somewhere along the way, a baseball team and a nation have lost their way. Both seem to have forgotten what made them great in the first place, and in the process have created in themselves a monster that no amount of championships or perceived global dominance can satisfy. Period. | |||
| During the 2006 season, in the midst of an “unthinkable” championship drought for the Yankees, I had the pleasure of working for Major League Baseball as a contributing writer for MLB.com. Headquartered in Manhattan, the offices were unsurprisingly staffed with an overwhelming number of Yankees and Mets fans. What struck me most about the experience (besides the fact that all desks were intentionally covered in baseball cards and mini pennants) was the incessant chatter by Mets fans that the Yankees were bad for baseball because they outspent every other team and that all of our championships were bought.
At the time, I couldn’t have disagreed more, especially since my team had proven itself hapless in the playoffs since 2000. Also, the Mets typically rank among the top three highest payrolls in the game (and they’re a sad bunch of also-rans with unknowledgeable fans and less success in the last 20 years than Gary Coleman). No, in my mind, money was merely one factor in putting together a winning squad. It’s a good thing no one asked me to bet the mortgage payment on Kansas City going all the way. In 2009 the Yankees opened their $1.5 billion stadium and managed to ride their $200 million annual payroll to a thorough trouncing of the Phillies in the World Series. Mission Accomplished. Dream Season achieved. Unfortunately, for many Yankees fans, the 2009 championship serves as another talking point for the haters out there, and they have a pretty good point. You see, prior to last season, the Yankees did what they do best. The simply imported the players that they needed and spent over $400 million on three players whowere ultimately indispensable. And therein lies the problem. Fans want to root for homegrown guys that come up through their own system. Fans wants to experience the ups and downs of a player’s career, hoping that “their guy” is going to hit the walk-off HR or throw that no-hitter. It’s not as much fun when the deck is stacked so greatly in your favor. I’m not advocating giving any of those championships back; they were earned on the field, and they were awesome to experience. I’m just saying that maybe there’s a better way, and maybe there’s a greater lesson to be learned. |
Take, for example, one of the (if not the) greatest Yankee of all time, Henry Louis Gehrig. Not only was he the best first baseman ever to play the game, but his on-field exploits took a back seat to his class, dignity and behavior off the field. In many ways, Lou Gehrig represented the very best of America. His lifetime stats were nothing short of unparalleled: .340 lifetime batting average, 37 HR and 140 RBI per year over 17 seasons and an unbelievable streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.
In its relatively brief history, the U.S. has also put up some gaudy numbers, but unlike the Iron Horse, whose career was cut short by a lethal disease eventually named after him, we find only ourselves to blame for the present negative state of affairs. We Americans have long assumed that “championships” were ours for the taking, without regard for anyone else’s right to “win.” It’s no accident that Yankee Stadium was considered a highly likely terrorist target after the attacks of September 11, 2001. After the White House, there aren’t many other places that can match The House That Ruth Built when it comes to decadent symbolism. That said, there’s still hope for the Yankees and America. You needn’t look any further than the excellence and pride on display nightly by Mariano Rivera. The best closer ever to lace ‘em up (and there’s an argument to be made that he’s the best pitcher anyone has ever seen) reminds us that you can win with grace, and set an example for all others to follow. Maybe when Mariano retires he can run for office. Lord knows he couldn’t do any worse than the political clowns we’re stuck with now. On second thought, the man is too pure, too excellent, to ever waste his time with such matters. Plus, he has very little experience with meltdowns, financial or on the diamond. I guess what I am hoping for is more of a “level playing field.” I’d like to see my country and my baseball team be less “win at all costs” and more “winning gracefully.” The pinstripes used to represent pride and class, two attributes the ol’ U.S. of A. could use a big helping of these days. I hate to be all doom and gloom on y’all, so I urge everyone to keep things in perspective. After all, you could be a Mets fan! |
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Tags: America, championships, Lou Gehrig, Mariano Rivera, New York Mets, New York Yankees, politics, success
Love it! Great piece, COB. Perfect Mets image at end.
Kindry remove article.
I was really worried about you until the last line. Phew.
This is complete bullshite. Why must every single Yankee fan put us down? Sure, we may not have the rich Yankee “tradition,” but at least we’re not a-holes to everyone else who doesn’t share our love of the Bronx Bombers. In closing, F U!