September 07, 2006
Bi-polar Fandom
By Karlsie
I have been a Sox fan since before 1967, that means I've been in this for the long haul. In many ways, it feels like a marriage - you know: richer and poorer, in sickness and in health until death us do part.
But it didn't really hit me of how much of a fan I truly am until very recently when I found myself calculating what the Sox needed to do in order to win the division. It was that manic sort of, "If they take the series in New York and put together a decent streak with these new kids pitching then...."
Lord in heaven only a truly commitable fan thinks that way.
Truth is that there is a big piece of me hoping we don't make it to the off season. I really do need a break from the roller coaster ride that has become the Sox since the new ownership came in. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love that they are committed to a top-notch team. But sometimes we all need a rest and I think I'm now at a point where I'm OK with a fall to focus on apple picking and running longer distances in the crisp air as colorful leaves float down around me.
Oh who am I kidding - I want to see these guys come back strong and put the ney-sayers and pink hat fans in their place so I can turn and say, "I told you so." But if they don't, I'll be ready with my old chant: just wait until next year.
Giving up already? Geez, I guess 2004 was a fluke.
Maybe your teams existance is a fluke, you got lucky 87 years ago and then you got even luckier when some how Yankee managerment bought the Kansas City Royals in the 1960s,and now you spend 200 million dollars on shitty overated aging players to do what? Win the division then crap out in the playoffs? That's cool, whatever floats your boat, I'll take the younger team that has much great potential than just a division winner. Hey the Braves did it for 13 straight years, but how many WS did they win? 1. You can take that, if you can even win it again, and I'll gladly take the young team that will be World Series bound as early as next year.
You can have potential, I'll take winners. My 8th grade science teacher said I had potential. He gave me a 65 that year.
"You can have potential, I'll take winners. My 8th grade science teacher said I had potential."
So what you're saying is, you're not a winner?
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
"Maybe your teams existance is a fluke,..."
Oh, c'mon CTS, every time the Red Sox falter, you want to bring up select Yankee history. Yes, yes, the Yankees used the Royales as their personal farm system all those years ago...so what? They also used the Red Sox in much the same way.You should, however, note that none of what they did was illegal. I can bring up much more egregious Red Sox history of racism, but that is not who the Red Sox are today. If you want to talk of the Yankees payroll today, that's fair, but lets not bring up what was done years ago- it was a very different time.
And let's be fair about these current Yankees:
They still have a core of home grown talent. Sure, they also have players from outside the oranization, but tell me of a winning team that is only home-grown. The Red Sox sure aren't.
They were decimated with injuries, yet held it together with players from within the organization- prior to the trading deadline.
The deals that were made at the deadline DID NOT cost the Yankees any top prospects- a refreshing change from years past.
Maybe the Red Sox will be great next year, but if they do, the roster will also include players from outside the organization. Just as it did in '04.
All I ask is that you be fair.
It's really a fascinating subject, when you think about it with unbiased eyes.
The Yankees have (as Sonshine said) a core that consists of career-Yankees: Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang (with more on the way, such as Melky Cabrera, Andy Phillips, Eric Duncan, Philip Hughed and Tyler Clippard). The fact is, the Yankees catch a lot of flack for picking up older players for huge sums of money, but almost all of those players are simply tools that help to merely sturdy the barricade, if you will.
Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, Karl Farnsworth, Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon. All names of players that the Yankees pretty much bought. Five of those six players make more than $10,000,000, all of them make more than $5,000,000. Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield alone make approximately $24,000,000 - and they were certainly "bought off". But does this mean the Yankees are really that mercenary team people make them out to be?
Well, if they are then I suppose that the Red Sox descend from some secret 10th ring of hell, because their current active team consists of (count 'em with me) three lifetime non-rookie BoSox. Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek and Kevin Youkilis. That's three players. Just three.
Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Coco Crisp, Mark Loretta, Mike Lowell, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Mike Timlin, Keith Foulke, Alex Gonzalez and Willy Mo Pena. Those are the players that the Red Sox have "acquired" over the years; much more dramatic compared to the Yankees shopping cart.
The fact of the matter is that at this point, the Red Sox are far more what the Yankees were in the late 90's than the Yankees are. The Yankees proved a lot to me this year, they improved their team without a blockbuster trade despite numerous horrifying injuries (Abreu trade not withstanding), they worked with their rookies and they were able to make trades without dealing Philip Hughes or Eric Duncan - a huge feat.
The Yankees proved this year that they are worthy of winning a championship, they proved that they are capable of sustaining themselves when given the faith and backing of both Brian Cashman and Joe Torre - who each deserve a hefty raise.
If you want to talk about flukes? Talk about the Steelers winning the Super Bowl in 2005. You want to talk about talent? Talk about the 2006 New York Yankees.
Sometimes you're the Bronson, sometimes you're the Hamburger Helper glove. But this is the year that the Yankees - through all obsticles, tests and trials - did NOT suck.
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
Brilliant piece of writing, Jack. Sadly -- all true. You have a wonderful way with words. I admire that you're not afraid to give the 2006 Yankees their due recognition. I'm not sure I could do the same but I realize that's just me being an embittered Red Sox fan. The Yanks indeed have pulled off the unthinkable this year. Put it this way -- I 'knew' back in June that the Yanks were doomed after losing Matsui and Sheffield. And for a while, it looked like I was right. Who 'knew' what was to follow.
I was clinging to Red Sox hope even after the '06 massacre. But let's face it -- without Big Papi and Manny (and Varitek) in the lineup, we're a very beatable team. The same couldn't be said for the Yankees after they lost two (three, counting Cano) of their biggest bats. Cashman could certainly teach Theo a thing or two about winning.
I'm not happy about how things have gone since the All-Star break. In fact, I'm downright upset. I thought this was going to be the year we'd prove 2004 was no fluke. I was hoping we'd win one for my wife 'Oona'. She loved the Sox more than life itself. She also loved cats. I weep for her and for the Sox. Sometimes I feel so lonely I could cry.
Jack -- thank you for letting me know it's okay for a grown man to cry. Tonight I will make soup. In the words of Karlsie "just wait until next year'!
-Monty
Monty ,
What's up with kissing Jack's ass and cheering for the Yankees.
You are a dirty old man and have pop-pop in the bleachers of fenway. you are lame like the sow flower duck in june and fat like a road lizard. You should take a long walk on a pier and not come back. If I put you on my i-pod, you'd be on shuffle mode so that I wouldn't have you be so predictable.
-Nat
Nat,
What joy do you derive from being such a bitter person? Perhaps you would be better served on a hate site. Otherwise, let's keep it civil here.
Sonshine,
She likes the attention. The good news is, she's finally found somebody who will laugh at her jokes... If only it weren't herself.
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
Yeah that's low, clearly loyal and jaded are two words that Nat needs to look up. Monty's showing that he is clearly upset with the team and that he is agknowledging that the Yankees bested us all around this year. You also seem to think that this is not true which is not only laughably moronic, but also very sad. Since you cannot give credit where credit is due, as much as it sucks to say it, but they were better than us this year. And maybe next year we can get our shit together and win. And maybe then you will have grown up and learned how to act like a mature human being.
Nat...
I'm sorry you took my posting the wrong way. No big surprise.
It was just 'Monty being Monty' -- only a little sadder after realizing the Sox were done. Feeling much better today, though.
Your ramble sounds like a cry for help from a lonely person. I don't say that to offend you. I truly mean it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you do sound young? Growing up (especially in these most absurd of times) can be extraordinarily challeneging. I have grandkids.
I think you could benefit by having someone to talk to. And I speak from experience -- I used to counsel teenagers part time in the 70s and early 80s. Sure, things are different now, but kids are still the same. They all want to be happy, feel loved and fit in. With the right disposition, you or anybody can have this. Happiness doesn't come from material things (although a Sox win does brighten my day), it comes from within.
If you ever need someone to talk to, I can recommend people. I've only been in San Diego for 2 years. Most of my friends are still alive and well back in Boston. And I know 2 very capable counsellors who would be happy to talk with you if I were to make a call. Your call.
-Monty
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