Suddenly a True Yankee?
I have no real issue with Alex Rodriguez as a ball player. He is most likely the best player to ever play the game. The only thing that holds him back from that claim is he can’t win the big one and folds under pressure. Barry Bonds used to suffer from the very same stigma till he discovered “enhancements” to better his game. Then he went ape$hit in the World Series a few years back but the Giants still lost in the end.
Anyway I am not here for that. I am here to discuss the incredible hypocrisy, yet again, of Yankee fans. Back in the late 90’s when Mike Piazza was a NY Metropolitan of course I was quite happy about this and who wouldn’t be? He is a first ballot Hall of Famer and one of the best right hand hitters to ever play the game. But it was always the Yankee fans who were quick to remind me he wasn’t a “true Met” because he didn’t come up through the Mets farm system but was rather acquired via trade. I didn’t care but they sure did. Then they were just as quick to remind me that their favorite player..Jeter..was a “true Yankee” and how important that was.
But here we are in 2007 and Mike Piazza is gone and in Oakland and A Rod has been a Yankee now for four years. As usual wherever he goes…he doesn’t win. If he can’t win with the Yankees he may never win. But as he hit his 500th home run yesterday these same fans were quick to brag to me about A Rod and how he is the youngest ever to 500 and we love A Rod. He is now a Yankee legend. Even though he was booed merciless when he was slumping earlier in the year. But that’s just New York…Mets fans do the same to their players. ANYWAY that’s fine, love him..he is on your team. But why is it now all of a sudden OK for A Rod to be a Yankee legend despite not being a true Yankee and most likely leaving after this year? It’s simple…the majority of Yankee fans just live in some fantasy world where all that matters is the Yankees and rules that apply to every other fan of every other team do not apply. I don’t care what you guys think of my team or your team but if you are going to set standards by which all teams and fans should live by….maybe you should follow them as well. This is only one example but it never ends. Obnoxious….what many Yankee fans don’t realize is it’s not the Yankees people hate, it’s their fans and this is one of many reasons why. For great examples of this see Syracuse NY. Don’t get me wrong I know plenty of real Yank fans that respect the game and they also hate these “other Yankee fans” for giving them a bad name. But it’s hard to find these people. Basically anyone who is a fan post 1996 falls into the “other” category. These are the ones who were not there while the Yanks struggled through the 80’s and early 90’s. So they don’t respect the game like the real fans do. Never will.
OK Rosey. Let’s see if we can shed some light on this whole issue. I myself am a “true Yankee” fan. I was there when they sucked ass, post 1996….check my “Tradin’ Cards” from Salt City Little League and you will always find either Rickey Henderson or Don Mattingly listed as my “Favorite Player” and the Yankees as my “Favorite Team”….lol. If you don’t know what Tradin’ Cards are….then you never played baseball at the Little League level…loved those things.
Anyways, I think that this whole A-Rod being a Yankee legend falls under the Reggie Jackson category. Think about it. Reggie was an Oakland A before he was a Yankee. Rickey Henderson was an Oakland A, Dave Winfield was a San Diego Padre. All of these players are known primarily for their time spent in New York. We all know this. I look at it as the fault of all the other teams fans in MLB. New York Yankee and Mets fans, for the most part, are the most knowledgeable and passionate baseball fans in the country. We all know this. So naturally when you have players of this magnitude on your team, they tend to embrace them more than other teams fans do. Seattle had A-Rod and they never sold out the King Dome…because that area of the country doesn’t pay as much attention to baseball as we do in New York. Yankee Stadium is sold out every game and when the Yanks are in other Stadiums their attendance is up….players for the Yankees are much more recognizable across the country than other teams players are. People would know Derek Jeter’s face more than they would recognize Mike Piazza or Jose Reyes….it’s just the way it is. Being a true Yankee is much more than just coming up through the teams minor league system…it’s the way a player carries himself on the field and off the field…the way he performs in the clutch and the way he interacts with the fans and the city of New York.
Having said all of that, A-Rod is a true Yankee because he has brought something major to the fans….it happens to be 2-3 AL MVP’s and 500 Home Runs….and when he was playing like garbage, he knew the fans didn’t appreciate it, just like they do with any other player. Well almost any other player….lol. Jeter is exempt….like Tom Brady is exempt. People have this misconception because of all of the high profile free agents the Yankees have acquired throughout the years, that they haven’t had a good solid pool of home grown talent. Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Philip Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Chien Mien Wang, Don Mattingly. Others that are considered true Yankees that spent time with other teams are Tino Martinez, Scott Brosius, Paul O’Neill, Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, and Rickey Henderson.
I am not one of those blind fans that just goes along with whatever Steinbrenner and Cashman decides and loves every move they make. I disagree plenty with the things they’ve done in the past and still continue to do….but any true fan is passionate enough to recognize when your team is acting and playing like jackasses…..bottom line is this:
Being a true Yankee is much more than just coming up through the teams minor league system…it’s the way a player carries himself on the field and off the field…the way he performs in the clutch and the way he interacts with the fans and the city of New York.
That’s fine but again…this is what I am talking about. Yankee or no Yankee the rules should apply. The Yankees are not Gods team…despite what people think. As a non Yankee fan I don’t think of Rickey Henderson as a Yankee…I think of him as an Oakland A, Yankee, Met, Blue Jay etc. To to me it is arrogant to think that EVERYONE accociates these guys as Yankees…Dave Winfield wears a Padre hat in the Hall of Fame. Mike Piazza is just as well known as Jeter…anyone who watches baseball knows him, he played in NY and has been in plenty of tv commercials etc. Yankee fans need to realize the world does not revolve around the Yankees..they make think so but nobody else does. Besides A Rod will be gone by next year…is he still a “True Yankee Legend” when he leaves? When I think of A rod I think of a guy that played for many teams…not just the Yankees. I wouldn’t care had I not recieved lectures about who is and isn’t a “true” *insert team* These standards apply to everyone.
The Weave – “it’s the way a player carries himself on the field and off the field…the way he performs in the clutch and the way he interacts with the fans and the city of New York.
Having said all of that, A-Rod is a true Yankee because he has brought something major to the fans..etc…etc.”
I suppose what The Weave means by clutch…is A-Rods’ .133 AVG 0 RBI performance in the ‘05 ALCS vs. LAA and the .071 AVG 0 RBI performance last year vs. DET right? As for his conduct off the field, I guess when your busted with a blonde stripper going into the Brass Rail while your wife and daughter are at home watching Dora the Explorer, that’s the conduct of a True Yankee? Now I know why he chose the Rail (Duzzi’s bachelor party – classic) but c’mon Weave. Gonna sting a bit too when A-Rod isn’t a Yankee after this year..
Also, this is like me claiming Tom Glavine as a true Met. He won 300 yesterday which is actually more impressive than 500 hrs. He may be the last to do it. But he will forever be thought of as a Brave. I don’t claim otherwise. But had he done this in a Yankee uniform..you know the rest of the story.
Come on Goose! You know better than that! You know New York is a “what have you done for me lately” state! LoL. You know as long as someone is hitting bombs for the yanks or Mets that they are okay to do anything they want….lol. I’m not ignorant…I’m not saying that what I said above is right, I’m just saying it’s the facts. Sad but True.
Don’t worry Weave I know you are ot arrogant but you have to admit..especially living in that God forsaken town that most are. You would have to see it as a outsider, meaning non Yankee fan, to realize how insane it gets sometimes. Now move over to Myspace Momos and do work.
Goose…yes…the Rail. It’s no Lookers…gag….but ya, the Rail.
“My team is the best.” “No, my team is the best.”
Mark, being a Met fan, won’t you remember Glavine as a Met? Why wouldn’t you, he played for your team. Who gives a shit who he was employed by before becoming a Met? If you want to remember him as a Met, then do so, it’s okay. lol…
Strawberry and Gooden were Mets before throwing the pinstripes on. Will you remember them as Mets? If so, their conduct off the field makes A-Rod’s conduct look pretty good, doesn’t it?
Goose, why would it sting if A-Rod isn’t a Yankee next year? It might suck for Yankee fans, but there are 8 other slots in the lineup that I dont’ see anyone complaining about. If he goes, he goes, the Bombers will be just fine.
One more thing before I go….Isn’t it obvious that the national league is nothing but a farm team for the american league? ooooooh…..
Why would it sting you say??? Are you retarded? Maybe because he is going to be the reigning AL MVP?? What’s the matter with you?
Again, I will ask the question….WHY WOULD IT STING??? Your reply tells me nothing if you look at the rest of the lineup. I’m sure they will still be able to win a few games without him. It would suck, not sting. Are saying that he is the heart of the club? Belive me, it would suck if he didn’t return next year, but the Yankees have received many rings without him. Why are we even talking about this??
Wasn’t it the Cardinals and their 83 wins in the NL that whipped the Tigers a$$ last year…who before that swept the Yankees. Besides the DH isn’t real baseball. Abner Doubleday didn’t want that crap! But you are right…they will replace him with another 200 million dollar guy but it stings for sure…he is the best player in the game…it stings don’t act like it doesn’t. Abreu and Giambi isn’t gonna carry that team.
Yeah man, Cardinals rocked last year..Honestly, with the talent the Bombers have, they really don’t need another 200 million dollar guy – you know it and I know it. Sorry, no stinging will be had. Abreau and Giambi? A-Rod was slumping trying to hit 500, Giambi was out, does that mean Abreau was the one scoring all of those runs and hitting all of those homeruns? Damn, he rocks. blah blah blah blah….Go Bonds. lol…
All that “talent” is getting old..real old. Except Abreu and Cano. The Yankees days as a powerhouse are numbered if they don’t make moves. This may be the last year they make a run. Giambi may never be the same..steroids ruined his body and he is a rat which can’t go over well in the clubhouse. Damon looks like he is on the down turn as well. A Rod goes to Boston…then it’s up to Jeter, Abreu and Cano to carry the team. Posada is solid but he is a 35 year old catcher, his days are numbered. The staff is older than dirt, Clemens is not what he was and may retire for good, finallly. All this comeback stuff pisses me off. That combined with his announcement in the middle of a game is irratating. He acts like God. Mussina is in the end of his career. Wang is the only young solid starter. Bullpen is mediocre at best. Maybe Hughes but he has a lot to prove. Even Rivera is getting old. I don’t think the Yankees have a lot of guys in the farm system these days after trading a lot of it away over the years. If they didn’t score 8 runs a game right now it would be tough. Yes, I am sure they will be good again next year but losing A Rod is a huge sting. You can’t lose the best player ever to play the game and say it’s not a sting. The Yankees would not be where they are right now if not for A Rod. He was the only thing that kept them in it when they were slumping. They are not going to all of a sudden suck next year but if he goes and they don’t get pitching help it might be a bit rough. Now lets talk ‘86 Mets and ‘89 Bash Brothers. lol.
Okay fine, I will go ahead and agree with the both of you that if Alex Rodriguez, the greatest baseball player of all time, should happen to leave the greatest team in sports history, it would sting a little. Please don’t start with the whole steroid issue, I am so tired of listening to that shit. If you take in 10 CCs a day for a year, of course your body is going to be ruined. Do we know how much Giambi took? Nope. Do I care? Nope. Does it really matter? Nope. And as far as I know, Giambi didn’t narc on anyone. ‘86 Mets and ‘89 Bash Brothers?? I admit it, back in the day I was a huge fan of the “Doc” and the boys from Oakland. Topps, Fleer, Donrus, O-PeeChee, I’ve got em’ all! lol.. You wanna talk about a narc, have you read Canfucko’s book? What a douchebag…
I only said steroids ruined his body..that’s all. That is most likely why his is so injured lately. The main issue with Giambi is his massive contract that no team would wanna pick up in a trade because he is not worth the money. So now they are kinda stuck with him. But I think because of the steroid thing they can void it….they should. Dump him and get a fresh start with someone else. I love to debate this suff…so now onto the “Greatest Team in Sports History” thing. This is true…for sure. But..not saying you bro… when people our age and younger start the whole 26 World Championships thing with me I love it. Because it’s like come on….until 1996 you witnessed none of them. How easy is it to be a kid and say hmmm….I am gonna be a Yankee fan because they had like 21 titles before I was even born. Unless you are like 100 years old it doesn’t matter. People that wanna brag about the 4 titles won in the 90’s, sure..of course. But come on…how are you going to talk about WS titles won in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc? While it is something to be proud of people our age really can’t use that. Especially when a team like the Mets have only been around since 1969. That’s not a fair debate. They have like a 100 yr head start. Not to mention until like the late 60’s there was no playoff…win the division and go right to the series. Makes it bit easier than having to win three rounds of playoffs. Also there was no free agency so once you had a championship team there was no splitting them up unless they were traded. Just a lot of things to consider when anyone pulls out that argument. It’s not that simple. Just sayin….lol.
What I am gonna say is this. Steroids have fucked the game of baseball. Bonds was a great player before juice, but the bat speed generated after you take steroids and your ability to recover from fatigue and injury is enhanced….we all know that if you have a quick bat, the ball jumps off it more and you hit more home runs, that would’ve been doubles before the juice. Steroids suck ass. The Yankees are the team that every other fan in the game wishes their team was. George Steinbrenner, love him or hate him is the owner that everyone wishes they had. He spends the money and wants to win….while teams like Florida, Tampa Bay, a Pittsburgh sit back and collect luxury tax from teams like the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox just so they can make money for doing nothing at all to win. So even though people hate the Yankees, George wants to win. Most other owners say they want to win but their actions say much less than that.
1000 Degrees was definitely a fan of the A’s and Mets back in the day….Strawberry, Gooden, McGwire, and Canseco…don’t deny! LoL
Whether Mets fans want to admit it or not, they are the Red Headed Step Child of New York baseball. They have always been just one step behind the Yankee train. I like the Mets, don’t get me wrong….but I think we can all see that they are jumping aboard the “rent-a-player” bandwagon. Omar Minaya seems to be on the right track though….he actually seems to know what he’s doing, so the Mets future looks bright.
Now addressing the yankees young talent….Chamberlain, Hughes, Cabrera, Cano, Duncan, need I say more??? Cashman has made an effort to not give away young talent the past few years…so now we have a good solid core of young talent coming up and blossoming.
As far as all this Abner Doubleday shit…..did anyone talk to him lately? LoL. I’m sure that he would approve of anything that keeps the game interesting…Having an automatic out in your lineup doesn’t add anything to the game…it makes it easier for the other pitcher that’s all…yeah that’s real fun….you have your pitcher up in the 4th inning and there’s guys on 1st and 3rd…you need a hit to score that run….you’re a fan watching the game….do you feel confident? LoL….I wouldn’t….it’s a DP or a K….either way it blows….
Why do you say, “Don’t deny”? I already said I was a fan of those guys back in the day. Sounds to me like a Mets fan put you up to that.
Just so I can make this clear, a few years after my grandfather passed away, my grandmother gave me his old Yankees hat when I was around 13 years old. That is when I became a true Yankees fan -when they sucked. So, fuck off!!! I love this site!
LoL….just sayin the facts…lol
What facts? That you do what you are told to do? Good boy.
Someone overdosed on cranky defensive pills this morning!
Someone has kneepads with mets logos on them…
LoL….someone is way too sensitive and has a tampon shoved in their ass…
Onto another subject since 1000degrees is obviously way too sensitive…..someone tell me how they feel about Shelley Duncan and how he plays the game. How awesome was that slide he made and almost knocked McDonalds (SS for Toronto) glove off….unbelieveable…love to see that passion for the game!
Sensative? Did I start talking shit about you because somebody told me to? Nope. Know why? I’m not a bitch. Not being cranky or sensative, “just sayin the facts”.
And why would the thought ever cross your mind of an object being in my ass? Is that what you think about when you are talking about sports? Guy’s asses??
Yeah, Duncan is one hell of a player, very intense. He did kick McDonald’s glove off, that was great!
No shit talking…just stating facts…LoL…and I believe you overreacted as usual! LoL So predictable….lol.
You mean, stating a fact that was already stated? I didn’t overreact, what makes you think I overrecated?!?!?! DAMN YOU!!!!!!!!! lmfao… Again, I love this site, it makes me more pissed off that I already am!! Where’s the tylenol..
SImmer boys..Yankee faithful infighting…awesome!
Now for this whole “everyone wishes they were Yankee fans lore.” If I wanted to be a Yankee fan, I would be. I am in no way jealous or wish I was. Another arrogant statement by many fans…and I like being the other team in New York because anyone that knows me knows I am no follower. To me it’s boring to be like everyone else. When I think of a lot of the Yankee fans out there..especially the ones back home…I would never wanna be one. But again..this is one of many reasons why the Yanks fans are disliked. We don’t all wanna be Yankee fans…I will be the red headed step child every time. He is usually the cool one in the family that listens to rock n roll and parties while the other guys listen to Color Me Badd and Bell Biv Devoe and wear hammer pants.
Till tomorrow….I am out. Stuff to do today.
What’s wrong with hammer pants and Drakkar? LoL
Nothing…if youre a f@@@@@GGG!!! lol.
Ok, really gotta go now. See you tomorrow.
Either way …all the Yankee pride crap goes too far. It’s a God damn baseball team and people treat it like God kingdom. For many people being Yankee fan is all they have in life…it’s the only thing that makes thme feel better then everyone else. It freaks me out how far it goes sometimes. I could tell some stories….
Do tell.
Not nearly enough room.
Good. lol..