I haven’t listened to the pitchers and catchers report once
this year, guys.
Quite truthfully, I’m avoiding baseball entirely.
Avoidance seems to be the best way for me to deal with a
bout of cognitive dissonance that began last spring, when I, a supposed tried
and true Yankee fan, got all hot and bothered by another team.
To make matters worse, that team was the Mets.
###
I married into Yankee fandom eleven years ago.
My husband, a California native, traded in his beloved
Padres for the Pinstripes when he arrived in New Jersey as a teenager.
We had football in our house, and we had hockey. But baseball ruled.
The games were on all the time. At first I watched to be
supportive. Baseball was a way for us to
spend time together. Before children, it
wasn’t unusual for the two of us to drive up to Yankee Stadium on a Friday
night to catch a game.
It was those live games that got me hooked.
Soon, there was no other place in the world that I would
have rather been than Yankee Stadium. It
wasn’t just watching the games that awed me, but it was the history of that
stadium. It was the stories of passion and wins and non-wins and the heartbreak
and triumphs behind them.
The injustice of Don Mattingly never taking home a World Series
ring.
The understated magnificence of Lou Gerhig’s farewell speech.
The mystery surrounding the transaction that traded Babe to
the team.
Along with most baseball fans, I had my superstitions. There was the hat that I insisted I wear to
every Yankees game, despite its tattered condition.
After the 2007 Boston Red Sox World Series win, that broke
the curse of 1918, I took it as a sign that the world was going to end.
I was afraid, guys.
For weeks.
In the fall of 2003, six months pregnant with my first baby,
I sat in the bleachers during the dramatic game 7 of the ALCS against the Red
Sox, where the Yankees won in the bottom
of the 11th thanks to Aaron Boone’s walk off home run.
I took off work the next day for no other reason but to bask
in the awesomeness of that win.
Yet, despite my love of all things Yankees, there were at
times, an undercurrent of disapproval. There was George (rest his soul) and his
temper tantrums, and the huge Yankee payroll, and the players accused of using performance
enhancing drugs, again and again and again.
And while I remained a fan, there were disagreements. There were doubts. And while every relationship
has those, mine, at times, overshadowed my loyalty.
And then, on June 1st of last year, John Santana
threw the first no-hitter in the history of the Mets.
I was elated. So elated, that I sort of felt like I had to
hide it. Like I was defying my beloved
Yankees by being so happy for another team.
And while rejoicing in the success of another team would seem like good
sportsmanship to many, it’s not so much with a Yankee fan, when speaking of one
of their two notorious rivals.
My moment of joy over the Mets no-hitter revealed a moment
of truth for me.
I’ve always kind of been a closet Mets fan.
In a city with two baseball teams, one which is overshadowed
by 27 big, shiny rings and an even bigger payroll, I can’t help but root for
the scrappier team of the two that keeps on trying.
I’ve always loved the underdog, and in baseball, it’s no
different.
Am I going to throw out my lucky baseball cap?
No way.
And I will never look at a number 46 without thinking about
Andy or a number 2 without thinking about Jeter.
I’ll never be able to hear “Enter Sandman” without thinking
about Mo.
But I’m not sure if I can stay faithful to just one team
anymore.
Am I an adulteress?
Am I a fair weathered fan?
And do I really have to choose?
And if so, why?
~Namaste
Your turn: Have you ever switchted teams?
Where to find me:
I like to think that loyalty to a team is like loyalty to a good book – why would you pick just one?
I wonder how many other closet Mets fans there are among you Yankees fans? Hmmmmmm…
Fantastic post! So much fun to read!
All I can say is …GO CARDS!!! (Sorry, I grew up in St. Louis) –Lisa
In certain circles that’s infidelity! Or maybe I’ve been totally brainwashed by sitting in the bleachers of Yankee Stadium for all these years. I’d get the you know what kicked out of me for that kind of admission!
You know what Lisa, I’m sure there are many closet Mets fans out there!
If you are part of a “Yankee family” like me, you wouldn’t DARE make this admission without taking a huge risk. I may actually have to take this post down at some point depending on the reaction I get! Oh, and I totally rooted for the Cards in 2011!
Although I am not and have never been a fan of baseball, I was born into a Red Sox family. I laughed as I read your description of sorrow at the Red Sox win over the Yankees, because it was a scene of wild and crazy, screaming joy at my parent’s house, as my family danced and hooted their way around the living room.
I hear you on loving the underdog, and your concerns about the team’s behavior. I say root for whoever you want, and if your family disowns you, well, know that we will love you anyway! <3
Since I grew up in NJ, right outside of NY, and my dad and sister are Mets fans and most of my friends from home are Yankees fans, it’s probably wrong that I’m a Red Sox fan (I’ve lived in Boston for 9 years now, how could I not be? And I just happened to move here severa months before they won the World Series) But since I never really cared about baseball before, I’d like to think I am not an adultress, just a lackluster fan.
What a fun post! I too come from a diehard Yankee family. Supporting the Mets is sacrilege. Much like supporting the Jets will result in some violence. I’ve never been much of a sports fan, but I will never forget watching the Yankees win the ’96 World Series. I was uptown at my uncle’s apartment, right across the Harlem River from Yankee Stadium. You could hear the cheers and the celebrations all the way from there, it was so loud. I always say that even though I’m a self-admitted fair-weather fan of the NY teams when they’re in a playoff or championship series, I absolutely love that energy that sucks you in when a favored team is in a dramatic play for the win. I suppose its the same way in my own life when I feel myself pushing for the W. Fewer spectators and no TV coverage, but just as dramatic. You stick what you love and what’s in your blood because that’s a part of you. I think that’s why I’ll always be a Yankees fan even if I never watch a game. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have room to support something else if it inspires you in that same way. I don’t think that’s a betrayal. I think that’s a loyalty to the spirit of the game. LOVED this post! Made me think of Spring which needs to get here already. 🙂
In high school, my boyfriend was a die-hard Yankee fan so I became one, too. After he broke my heart, I broke up with the Yankees. 🙂 Being from Chicago, my dad is a loyal White Sox fan and so am I but I am a closeted Cubs fan because like you, I root for the underdog and God knows the Cubs are the underdog.
Oh, Kim, I love your words! This sports fan thing is alike a dynasty, right? If you are born into it or marry into it, you kind of feel like you have to be faithful!
But that love of the underdog gets me every time. I do love the Mets. You see? I said it and ahhh…I feel better. xo
OK, now this is my total dirty little secret that I couldn’t bear to include in the above article – but I kind of have a thing for the Red Sox too! Which is total sacrilege – especially as a Yankee fan. While the Mets are the underdogs, the Red Sox are just kind of bad ass. And who doesn’t like bad ass from time to time???
Ok, your comment has me so riled up for spring AND baseball, that I might have to throw caution to the wind and listen to the pitcher’s and catcher’s report today – and love BOTH of my teams! You’re right – the team you were “raised” with will always be in your blood but the spirit of the game is bigger than that. Well said!
Ok – I feel so much better that I am not the only one who is a closet fan for the “other” team in the same city!
Ironically, as a high schooler – I went through an Orioles phase for the same reason. Once the boy was gone, so was the team!
I’ve never been to a professional live game (only high school games while I was in high school), I can’t get into games on TV, it doesn’t seem as exciting. My husband is a football guy, and the tv is almost always on ESPN if he is in control of the remote. I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a fan of multiple teams though.
Sorry, Ilene. I was born into a Yankee family – can’t change. I was in the stands when David Justice hit the homerun against Seattle that sent the Yankees into that World Series with the Mets. Such joy and pandemonium, an unforgettable night. I think the question you need to ask yourself is – if there was another “subway” World Series, which team would you cheer for?
As a New England girl, this post was hard to read. I’m not even a baseball fan, but I detest the Yankees. It’s in my blood. I’ve been at public events that have nothing to do with baseball where “Yankees suck!” chants have started. Clearly, my advice is to just become a Mets fan. Or visit Fenway Park. Either would work. 🙂
OK, I think that this post just made me love you even more. I have been a Yankees fan my whole life. I remember going to the stadium as a kid and will admit to having a bit of a thing for the Mets when they won the World Series in 1986, mostly because I loved saying “Mookie Wilson.” I rekindled my love affair with baseball when I returned to NYC for college and my heart lies with Jeter, Mo, Andy, Jorge and Don. We were in Hawaii during Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS on the last day of our honeymoon. We sat in our room watching the game instead of going to the beach one last time. I like other teams, which I think is OK, but my heart firmly is with the Yankees.
Blasphemy, woman!!! Go to your room and recite 25 Hail Mary’s! Just kidding, of course. I married into Yankeedom 11 years ago, too. It’s part of who we are. I actually met Frank Torre while he was awaiting his heart transplant at Columbia Presbyterian (I had a brush with Joe there, too). I had no idea who they were until the Yankees won the series that year.
However, living in the Baltimore area, I was incredibly proud when the Ravens won this year, and when the Orioles pulled out an amazing season.
I definitely think it was the live aspect that turned me onto baseball. Do you follow football with the hubs or do you just let him do his thing? I think it’s ok to be fans of multiple teams too – but if you are a die hard NYY fan, there are certain teams you are not “supposed” to root for!
Oh, Emily! Your question asks it all my friend! It asks it all! I LOVE that you hopped into the comment thread and challenged me with that one!
Oh, Jennifer – I know that once I enter Red Sox Nation, my NYY hat better be OFF my head. That rivalry is so fierce and I have seen crazy fights break out at the stadium over the yankees/red sox – even when it’s NOT a yankess/sox game! Yes, I imagine it’s in your blood.
If I stick with the Yankees, can we still be friends?
How could anyone – even a Yankee fan NOT have a thing for the Mets back in 1986? They really do make you believe – right?
I really do love the Yankees and I love their history. But I really do have this secret thing for the Mets!
I love that you watched game 7 from your honeymoon. Was that not the most edge of your seat game ever?
I think it only makes sense to root for the hometown teams – no matter who you are a fan of. I will root for other teams when the Yankees aren’t playing for the most random reasons – I love Joe Torre – and I miss him. George was so hard on him and that was part of some of my not so nice feelings about the team at times. But I guess if you are a “true fan,” you stick with your team through thick and thin.
No, I will not switch teams, but if it makes you feel better, my former FIL was a die-hard Mets fan. He still have he 86 series on VHS tape… that he taped himself… and the grounder that went through Bill Buckner’s legs? He’s got that on tape too… and he is now a Yankee fan. I”m not a huge baseball fan, but it makes me cringe!
It was a proud moment when we flew in to the city at Christmas and I was able to point out Citi Field to my son… and Lawn Boy who is a Red Sox fan… *sigh*
I can let it slide, as long as you don’t flaunt the logo in front of me. 🙂
I’ve never been a big sports fan and I’ve never followed one team over another but I often find myself really getting into a game here or there. Especially live ones. I just love the drama of it all – the wins and losses and the effort and the passion! And I, too, usually find myself cheering on the underdog 🙂
Deal!
Wow – do you know what made him switch to being Yankee fan from a Mets fan? You don’t hear that happen very often!
Yes! Yes! and Yes! I love watching sports because of the effort and the passion and the excitement and not knowing from one moment to the next what is going to go down. And there is nothing like being there live – or watching the underdog win for that matter!
Loyalty is to the colors and the logo and the history and the hope and the tears and the disappointments and replaying in your mind those heartbreaking losses because you can’t do anything to help it. It’s hating the rival colors, spelling their name without capital letters, and denouncing all about them.
You can’t deny what you really are. You can put a dodgers cap on me, a giants jersey, even a padres blanket if I’m cold or pour water on me from a diamondbacks bucket if I’m in fire, God forbid, but it won’t change the fact that I’m a Rockies fan.
Awesome post. I couldn’t bear to imagine you as truly a yankees fan.
I agree 100% with what you say about loyalty, but I also have grown to learn that the act of loyalty is preceded by a feeling of loyalty. It is in your heart. It is in your soul. It is in the blood as it courses through your veins. When Santana pitched that no hitter last year, my heart swelled. There were tears streaming down my face. My heart and my tears don’t lie. But – my heart and my tears were’t lying as I sat on the bleachers of Game 7 during the 2003 ALCS. They don’t lie when I think about this being Mariano Rivera’s last season and what I would do to get to the Bronx this summer to see him pitch live just one more time.
Clearly, this story isn’t over yet.