"Extreme Fanism" and "True Yankees"
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by user Harold Friend
The term "true Yankee" is idiotic and has produced much confusion.
I think that what must be addressed is the difference between Yankees who were signed and/or came up through the minor leagues and those whose contracts were obtained either through trades or free agency.
The first big name to become a Yankee and become a booed Yankee was probably Roger.
The five consecutive World Champions consisted primarily of players signed by the Yankees.
Joe Collins, Jerry Coleman, Philip Francis, Bobby Brown, Mr. DiMaggio, Mr. Henrich, Henry Albert, Mr. Berra, and most of the pitching staff came up through the farm system.
Eddie Lopat's contract was obtained from the Sox, Gene Woodling from the Indians, and when help was needed, Johnny Mize and Johnny Hopp were added.
Yankees' fans didn't boo them. They were grateful to have them to help keep the streak going.
When Turley and Larsen arrived, they were occasionally booed when they got bombed, but they were generally accepted. Ralph Terry went back and forth to KC so often he got frequent train travel miles, but he was not booed.
Then we traded Henry Albert Bauer, Norm Siebern and others for Roger. In 1959, we finished third, 15 games out after having won four consecutive pennants and two World Championships from 1955-1958.
Roger was supposed to lead us to the World Championship again. He had a fine 1960 but whenever he failed, he was booed. Mickey, who had been booed unmercifully until 1956, and then again during a poor 1959 season (it was considered poor for Mickey in 1959. With the passage of time, it is rarely mentioned).
In 1960, Mickey had another sub-par season for him while Roger did well, but the fans cheered "OUR" Mickey and booed Roger, who came to us by way of Cleveland and Kansas City.
Roger really did play a significant role in the 1961 World Championship despite the fact that his "numbers" are horrible.
He hit .105, getting only 2 hits in 19 at bats. His OBA was .261. His SA was .316.
But statistics are limited, despite what many are led to believe, because with the 1961 Series tied at one game each, the Yankees were trailing the upstart Reds, 2-1 in the eighth inning of pivotal Game 3.
Johnny Blanchard tied the game with a pinch hit home run and then Roger won it with a home run in the ninth inning. It was a nice home run.
Today, in the era of free agency, trading Soriano for Rodriguez was supposed to bring us the World Championship. It has not YET occurred, and that is one reason Rodriguez is booed.
Of greater significance is that Jeter came up through the system. He was signed as a Yankee and is a Yankee.
Rodriguez was signed by the Mariners and came up through their system. We got him by way of Seattle, Texas, Boston, and Manny Ramirez.
Finally, in 2006, "extreme fanism" exist. What is "extreme fanism?" It is similar to one of Billy Joel's works. "Extreme fanism" is the fact that today, there is little fan loyalty to players (Jeter and Rivera are almost exeptions, but they too have been booed). Fans want their team to win. When a player does not produce in situations that would produce wins, the player is booed. A key hit immediately produces cheers.
Last night, when Rodriguez was at bat in a tie game with the bases loaded, the fans cheered for him to get a hit. They forgot the boos---until he failed to produce.
Date
Wed 08/16/06, 9:33 am EST
