Where Have all the Haters Gone?
Last year, 2007, the Yankees were knocked out of the post-season by the Indians. A-Rod snapped out of his long October slump, and knocked in his first run since 2004. Mind you, he only did that once. Still, it was a big step forward, and a major improvement over the futility of 2005 and 2006. How many haters recall when he ended the 2005 ALDS by hitting into a double play? Anyway, then Carmona shut down the Yankees while the plague of insects attacked Joba, and the ALDS was over. Sayonara Yankees. AMF.
At the same time, the Sox were sweeping the Angels, then rallied back from a 3-1 deficit in the ALCS, Beckett leading the way, before they swept the Rockies in another anti-climactic series. One would think that these events would have discouraged all the Yankee fans, but they were prolific in October and November - talking relentless trash on the Sox, arguing about the wisdom of resigning A-Rod, and predicting great things some 2008. Ring 27 and all that.
This year, 2008, things were a bit different, but not all that different. Yankees went home early, to work on their golf games, but that only saved them the ignominy of losing again in the ALDS. Of course, management looked especially stupid, what with Torre taking his young Dodger team to the NLCS. All the while, a broke-ass RedSox team, minus Schilling, Manny, Lowell, and with an ailing Beckett, took the Rays all the way to Game Seven of the ALCS. So at least the haters were saved from the humiliation of watching the RedSox B team celebrating a world series victory, while Yankees were playing golf, or going to strip clubs with their bimbos.
But what I don't get is that the Haters were so voluble in 2007, but had nothing at all to say this fall. And I mean nothing. Chipper and I engaged in an heartfelt dialogue about the improbability of the Sox victory over the Angels, once again, and the miraculous comeback in Game Five - seven runs down with only seven outs lefts in the ALCS. The broken down Beckett finding the strength or savvy to win in Game Six, setting up yet another dramatic Game Seven. And the disappointment of that loss, tempered by the relief that we could at least get some sleep during this coming world series. Good thing about that too, as Game Three went on until early the next morning. Meanwhile, nothing from the Haters. No trash being talked about the Sox. No predictions about 2009. No promises to return to glory in the spring time. What's going on here?
Are Yankee fans totally demoralized? Are they worried that Hank Steinbrenner, who really knows close to nothing about baseball, is taking over the front office duties? Are they now wondering about the wisdom of having wasted all that money on A-Rod, who hardly earned a fraction of his enormous salary in 2008? Are they overcome with nostalgia about the Stadium having closed down? Are they clinically depressed? Have their minds been taken over by beings from outer space? Invasion of the Hater Snatchers. I need to know - where are you guys? And what caused you to clam up?
Plus, now that baseball's over for 2008, now that the Phils have won for the second time in their long history, and now that basketball season is right around the corner, we won't have much to argue about. At least not until the Yankees start wooing Manny, trying to bring him to the Bronx, back to his roots. That will bring the haters out, who will then face the biggest credibility crisis of their time. But until then, what????
At the same time, the Sox were sweeping the Angels, then rallied back from a 3-1 deficit in the ALCS, Beckett leading the way, before they swept the Rockies in another anti-climactic series. One would think that these events would have discouraged all the Yankee fans, but they were prolific in October and November - talking relentless trash on the Sox, arguing about the wisdom of resigning A-Rod, and predicting great things some 2008. Ring 27 and all that.
This year, 2008, things were a bit different, but not all that different. Yankees went home early, to work on their golf games, but that only saved them the ignominy of losing again in the ALDS. Of course, management looked especially stupid, what with Torre taking his young Dodger team to the NLCS. All the while, a broke-ass RedSox team, minus Schilling, Manny, Lowell, and with an ailing Beckett, took the Rays all the way to Game Seven of the ALCS. So at least the haters were saved from the humiliation of watching the RedSox B team celebrating a world series victory, while Yankees were playing golf, or going to strip clubs with their bimbos.
But what I don't get is that the Haters were so voluble in 2007, but had nothing at all to say this fall. And I mean nothing. Chipper and I engaged in an heartfelt dialogue about the improbability of the Sox victory over the Angels, once again, and the miraculous comeback in Game Five - seven runs down with only seven outs lefts in the ALCS. The broken down Beckett finding the strength or savvy to win in Game Six, setting up yet another dramatic Game Seven. And the disappointment of that loss, tempered by the relief that we could at least get some sleep during this coming world series. Good thing about that too, as Game Three went on until early the next morning. Meanwhile, nothing from the Haters. No trash being talked about the Sox. No predictions about 2009. No promises to return to glory in the spring time. What's going on here?
Are Yankee fans totally demoralized? Are they worried that Hank Steinbrenner, who really knows close to nothing about baseball, is taking over the front office duties? Are they now wondering about the wisdom of having wasted all that money on A-Rod, who hardly earned a fraction of his enormous salary in 2008? Are they overcome with nostalgia about the Stadium having closed down? Are they clinically depressed? Have their minds been taken over by beings from outer space? Invasion of the Hater Snatchers. I need to know - where are you guys? And what caused you to clam up?
Plus, now that baseball's over for 2008, now that the Phils have won for the second time in their long history, and now that basketball season is right around the corner, we won't have much to argue about. At least not until the Yankees start wooing Manny, trying to bring him to the Bronx, back to his roots. That will bring the haters out, who will then face the biggest credibility crisis of their time. But until then, what????
posted by pops | 11:31 PM
3 Comments:
I think your answer may be all of the above.
Not only have they not been winners, but they are no longer feared. They have now lost their home, which has been a huge part of their identity and they have been thrown into major disequilibrium. There is no viagra for this kind of thing - no quick fixes.
Question is: Will their uninspired management fall into an even deeper funk and is the Evil Empire into another 14 year drought (see 1963-1976).
They might now be too demoralized and confused to see their way out of the desert. And with no Moses to lead them back home to their former greatness, I look forward to competing with Tampa Bay for dominance in the American League east - for years to come.
ps: Now if I could only find that piece of turf that Ernie Davis walked on......
I am one Yankee fan that has responded to your blogs. But my recent comments have been to the point. I will not have an opportunity to go back and recount my comments but I am sure they center on my faith as an Yankee fan. I know that our recent lack of WS rings will only be temporary. We have gone thru stretches in recent decades but have always emerged with 2 year, 4 out of 5 and so on with WS rings.
The management and players may change but the tradition pushes the best franchise in sports forward. Yankee fans do not wallow in self pity or wondering what could have been if so and so were healthy or not traded. That's the game.
The Yankees will enter the 2009 with a new spectacular 'Stadium' and the seasonal goal of winning a WS. Nothing else matters.
BTW who are the 'Haters'? The Yankee fans do not hate the redsox they simply do not want them to win. It is the redsox fans that hates the Yankees. Blaming the Yankees, over the decades for their lack of success. Babe Ruth, Bucky Dent and on and on.
So as we enter a new season the Yankees will be building a team for a ring. The Yankee fan expects no less. The redsox will also re-tool and the redsox fan will hope they can stick to the Yankees.
"Who are the Haters?"
G-man
Actually the intensity of our antipathy toward the Bronx Bombers has diminished over the past two years. You didn't notice that the cheer: "Yankees Suck" has been replaced with: "The Yankees are mediocre!" OK, our feelings of inferiority haven't totally disappeared. 86 years was a long time.........
Post a Comment
<< Home