More Baseball memories...this time about those Damn Yankees..
^ The Yankees were always a mystery team to me as a kid. The only time they were on television was during the World Series, which was often. The Yanks have been in 40 World Series, winning a record 27 crowns. In fact, they have more world championships than any other north American professional sports team. So, it seemed like every October, one could see Mantle, Ford and the rest of the late 50s- early 60s New Yorkers. So, in that way, it was a treat to see the mighty Yankees, always playing for the championship.
I collected baseball cards, and had a pretty good collection every spring, but for some reason, Yankee cards were hard to find. I never got a Mickey Mantle, only lesser Yankees. So that was another challenge and mystery- where were all the Yankee cards?
Beating the Yanks was a big deal. The Dodgers were always their arch-rival, but the Yanks usually got the best of them/. When New York didn't make the World Series, something was wrong.
Being a Phillies fan, the Yanks were the ultimate goal. The Whiz Kids Phils lost to New York in the 1950 Series, the last time Philadelphia made it to the Series until thei 1st championship in 1980. Fast-forward to 2009 and the Yanks once again beat my Phils in the Fall Classic.
Even now, the Yanks remain a big deal. They are back near the top of American League East, with a slew of young players such as slugger Aaron Judge, catcher Gary Sanchez and first baseman Greg bird. A new set of Bronx Bombers. The Yankees haven't played the Phils in a few years, and haven;t been to Citizens Bank park in a while. The NL East teams are due to play the AL East clubs in 2018, so as soon as the schedule comes out, I'll be searching for games against New York next summer in Philly.
* I admire the Yankees for only finishing in last place a total of four times since 1908. Think of it- four times! They always seem to be in contention, like the St. Louis Cardinals. Like the Cards, New York has always had a great farm system and excellent scouts. The Yankee organization has always had the money, not only to spend on their minor leagues, but to buy free agents. In fact, the Yankees set the standard when it came to buying championships, especially during the George Steinbrenner era.Anyway, the last time the Yanks finished in the cellar was in 1990. So, regardless of what you think of the "Evil Empire" you have to give them credit for always fielding a competitive team.
* Another thing I thought was cool about the Yankees mystic was Monument Park in of Yankee Stadium. Yankee Stadium itself was always considered the Mecca of sports venues, The House That Ruth Built. The old Yankee Stadium was a landmark, a tourist attraction, even for a non-baseball fan.
Monument Park is an area in center field dedicated to Yankee greats. Thye tribute section is made up of memorial plaques now. Back in the day, monuments like gravestones were positioned in center field, 461 feet from home plate. It took a real shot for a ball on the fly to hit Monument Park, and only several players have done so, Thurmun Munson and Alex Rodrieguez included. It was different than any other ballpark or playing area, as a ball could conceivably bounce or roll beyond the stone markers and rattle around for triples or even inside-the-park home runs.
I actually did think that those Yankees memorialized by the tombstone-like markers were buried under the grass in center field. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio- they were all resting in peace within the cathedral of the Yankee Stadium outfield.
* Even in Little League, the name "Yankees" either meant the "best" or "evil." I used to love the tv. show Home Run Derby and there was a;ways a Yankee on the show, either Maris or Mantle. The Yankee uniforms, so iconic yet simple, with the Yankee logo of a red-white-and blue hat covering a baeball bat as the ultimate symbol. The basic, blank-and-white Yankee cap, with the intertwined NY, is classic old-school. And no matter how much you follow your own team, one would always keep an eye on what the Yankees were doing, just because, well..they were the Yankees. A Broadway play was written about the club ("Damn Yankees"). The Yanks had colorful characters like no others, such as Yogi Berra and Casey Stengal. . It didn't hurt that the Yankees played in New York. The parades and glory of winning is no better anywhere, but the pressure could be no greater when season of not winning a championship was endured.
Like any sport, Baseball is entertainment. In a good movie, you need a worthy villain to cheer against. It makes victory that much more satisfying. The Yankees will always be baseball's villain. That's what makes it fun, and why it's good for baseball- and for all of us-when the Yanks are good.
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