To My Dear Yankee Fans
For the second straight year the Yankees fall short in their run to the World Series. This is shocking to many fans in baseball. I was surprised the Yankees did not advance. Especially after receiving the blessing of facing Justin Verlander only once in the series.
Before I continue, for those who do not know, I am an Atlanta Braves fan living in the heart of New York. I moved to the Bronx four years ago and the first thing I saw in my new neighborhood was a navy blue minivan with a Yankees license plate, white seams painted all over and a Yankees logo. Then, I saw my landlord’s Yankee flag outside the house. Just for fun, the day we moved in I wore a Manny Ramirez T-shirt... just for fun.
Now, I understand the Yankees are a team that is built to win. Throughout their history they have been built to win it all. In the late 90's they proved this by earning four championships in five years. This is an amazing run. I get it. 27 World Championships, I get that too, but does the fact that your team won a lot in the past reflect the team that you put on the field today?
In 2009 the Yankees were facing the Phillies in the October Classic. I was rooting for the Yanks all the way. I could not root for the Phillies since they are the Braves’ division rival. Then I heard fan's predictions on the news. Yankee fans were saying they would destroy the Phillies and I could not bare the ignorance.
Respect has to be paid where respect is due; the Phillies had (and still have) a very good team. Best thing that happened was Cliff Lee in game one. Ultimately, the Yanks won the World Series, but the Yankees and their fans did not feel so invisible, hence they unsuccessfully went after Lee this past offseason.
I guess what I’m trying to say to Yankee fans, and fans everywhere is, do not say your team is going to win because they are the best. On the other hand, if they lose it will not mean that they suck. It means they had a little bit of bad luck. Fans and organizations have taken winning for granted. The fact that the Yankees have won many championships is a spectacle that should be cherished rather than used in vain.
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