Before I begin, you should understand how important this is. I’m not some stuck up Yankee fan who expects World Championships every year and gets mad at guys who hit .300 with 30 bombs when the team doesn’t win one. I’m not. But I do not tolerate what just happened this week. For those of you who question that Yankees- Red Sox is the biggest rivalry in sports, listen up.
I think the normal feeling after a week as abysmal as this was for the Bombers, would be distressed and worried about the Yanks playoff chances going forward. In light of obvious starting pitching issues, a bullpen that can’t throw strikes or get outs, an offense that can’t score without home runs, and a left fielder who won’t run the bases (Brett Gardner), this seems like a legitimate reaction to being swept, again. But that’s not what I’m experiencing and what I doubt other real Yankee fans are experiencing either (Yes, I claim to be a real Yankee fan, tough). I’m pissed off. I hate losing to the Red Sox. I hate it. It causes me physical pain. I hate the act of losing the game, I hate having lost the game, I hate that Red Sox fans can says their team won the game, I hate it.
I swear this is true: Though the World Series is ultimately the goal and I definitely want that above all else, I would prefer the Yankees miss the playoffs all together and go 18-1 against Boston than make the playoffs and loose in the LCS like they did last season. Why 18-1 and not 19-0? Because I want Boston to know beating the Yanks is possible but then never be able to do it again. Hah!
For me, Red Sox games have the significance of the playoffs. Every time. In April. In late September when the playoff picture is a foregone conclusion. Always.
Honestly, I couldn’t care less about the David Ortiz bat flip. It very simply doesn’t matter. I barely even have an opinion on it. The Red Sox antics are the least of the reason I want to beat them so bad. Its because they ARE the Red Sox, because the ARE the rival, the enemy. That’s what outsiders don’t understand, there is nothing Boston does to draw the ire of Yankee fans and nothing New York does to get on the bad side of Red Sox fans. It’s simple existence. This is what makes being a fan so much fun, the clear distinctions, the deep rooted passion. Its awesome. And its why I ‘m so upset with my team for being so pathetic this week.
There will be more on this as I have time to digest it.
-Max Frankel
