Holidays With The Enemy
By ThrowsLikeAGirl
Editors' Note: Back in April, we asked fans to tell us their personal stories of life with Yankee fans. Bosses, spouses, in-laws, ingrate kids and best friends: We all know, and yes, even love, some poor misguided soul. Now, for fans of the Red Sox, this will be a very different holiday season... The whole family dynamic has been turned around!
Boston Art —and his Yankee-lovin' son-in-law told us their stories last spring. Below is Art's very satisfying update on how times have changed.
We invite all of you to send in YOUR stories - of holidays with Yankee fans near and far. Let us listen in on your crazy dinner conversations and family rituals. Remember, the holidays are a time that proves to us that all "normal" families are, in fact, crazy. But when it comes to fan loyalty, some of them are downright rabid.
And - WE"LL SEND A FUN, SPECIAL PRIZE TO THE AUTHOR OF THE BEST STORY Send in your stories to ThrowsLikeAGirl@ Yankeessuck.com by December 20th, 2004 — and watch the site. We'll publish the best stories in time for Christmas.
Life is Now Complete!
—Submitted by Boston Art
"My love for the Red Sox and hatred for the Yankees are well documented. In the past I have fantasized all types of scenarios, with the Sox coming out on top of the Pinstripes. The best I could imagine was: The Sox had already clinched the division title, and were playing the last game of the regular season against the A's who were in a tie for the wildcard with the Yankees. If the Red Sox win, the Yankees make the playoffs. If the Sox lose, the Yankees are out. The Red Sox bring up newly acquired John Wasdin from triple A to start this crucial game. And you guessed it, WAY BACK- about 5 times as the Yanks kiss their season goodbye. Well, my fantasy can't compare to reality!
During the first game of the A.L. Championship series, my son-in-law Nathan was running happily to the phone to rag on me, and he broke his toe when kicking the hassock! Poor guy had to go to work for a month wearing three piece suits and sneakers. In game three, with the Yanks up by a couple of touchdowns, I refused to answer the phone. Then came the start of the miracle and the beginning of a fantasy-come-true beyond even my imagination. With the sweep eminent and Rivera coming to the mound, Nathan called and said, "I just wanted to share this moment with you." And what a moment it was! It lasted until the last out of game seven. Maybe the Curse wouldn't be broken until the Championship Trophy was ours, but the World Series was the most anti-climatic series I have ever seen. That American League title was the greatest thing I have ever experienced in sports. It's right up there with the Impossible Dream as far as baseball is concerned.
My father is a caretaker at a local Jewish cemetary. He found a Red Sox Championship hat placed lovingly on a grave. Rather than have the wind blow it away, he took it with him, and places it on the grave during the traditional visiting times, so family members will see it. Only a true Red Sox fan would understand.
Let the Yankees buy Beltran, the Big Unit, or Cy Young himself, this was the year that was as far as I'm concerned."
