Why the Red Sox v. Yankees Series Has Political Implications

[displacedyankeedem]

So, you might think, what the hell does a baseball series have to do with the general election in Novermber, and why does it matter?

Well, it matters because the entire thing is a perfect allegory for the battle that lays ahead.

The Yankees are laissez-faire Republicanism turned into a baseball team. It represents the view that the strongest forces in a market will inevitably come to dominate and will simply roll over all of its weaker rivals. With their enormous ($180 million, I think) payroll, the Yankees are clearly the 800 pound gorilla in baseball. They're also the most arrogant sons-of-bitches around, and their owner, George Steinbrenner, shows it. In addition, one of the big moments that the Republicans love to replay is Bush throwing the strike at Yankee Stadium after 9/11. The RNC was held in New York, coincidence....I think not. It's clear that Bush has tied himself to baseball's evil empire.

Basically:
Yankees=Republican Party
George Steinbrenner=Dubya
The Pitch at Yankee Stadium=W's "Strong Leadership in Times of Change"
Yankees Budget=Upper class tax cuts, fiscal irresponsibility

or in one equation, Yankees=George W. Bush

The Red Sox on the other hand, represent those who aren't quite as well off in the world. They spend tens of millions less than the Yankees, and their GM, Theo Epstein is quite a bit smarter than the Yankee leadership because he can't afford to make mistakes. Just like the Democrats, the Red Sox have to spend their money much more wisely, both in campaigns and when it comes to overall budgets. The Democratic National Convention was held in Boston, and oh yeah, they're also John Kerry's boys. If the Sox win, it will mean great coverage for Kerry (imagine the photos of Kerry with the Red Sox if they win it all)

Basically:
Theo Epstein=Smarter Democratic Leadership
Red Sox=Less Fortunate and Underpriviliged
Red Sox Budget=Fiscal Responsibility
Red Sox=John Kerry

I'm sure that there are dozens of other parallels that I'm missing, but it's a start.

GO RED SOX. SCREW THE YANKEES.

[gonefishing]

1. Your fatal flaw - the Red Sox never win and Democrats do

News flash. The Red Sox will loose and John Kerry will win.

Let's go Yankees!

[displacedyankeedem]

3. You're dreaming.....

the Yankees don't have the pitching to hang with Boston for 7 days. Schilling alone will win three games. This is the year that Boston plays and stays with you. Just like this the year where we have stayed with the Republicans in money and GOTV efforts.

Sox in 6.

[gonefishing]

7. Two Words

Bucky Dent

[Bluebear]

8. Two words....

:)

[Princess Turandot]

13. I don't know if they'll win or not..

but despite our potpourri of pitchers, we somehow managed to win more than a 100 games this year, for the third time in a row, won the Division and Round One from the kids in the midwest who have the Cy Young pitcher. All things the PUNDITS said would never happen.Something the YANKEES have in common with Mr. Kerry.

Plus if the Red Sox do win the ALCS, fate will have them play Houston and the pitcher they love to hate will do them in.

[JohnKleeb]

9. Yes but the sox can and do make it to the series

Often times making it to 7 games, if they lose to the yankees, it wont be a easy yanks win.

[JohnKleeb]

2. RED SOX!

[WilliamPitt]

4. Most Yankee fans are good Democrats

who booed Cheney when he showed his face at the stadium. Look at New York City's voter demographics. "In 2000, Democrat Al Gore raked in an astounding 75 percent of the New York City vote, while Republican George W. Bush got a minuscule 17.5 percent."

http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-vpkea243940653aug24,0,7447000.column?coll=ny-news-columnists

This analogy fails when faced with the facts.

I say thts as the most rabid Red Sox fan on this board. Steinbrenner sucks. Most Yankee fans are good Democrats.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Thanks, Will -- Democrat since birth here, New Yorker...

and Yankee fan --

[TomClash]

18. No, I'm the most rabid Sox fan

alright, maybe you are

But I've rooted for the Sox living mostly in the enemy camp, so I get extra credit. :)

[Zynx]

19. Outside of New York, Yankees fans are Republicans.

[WilliamPitt]

22. And you base that on...

[Zynx]

25. Hard core Republicans in my area who are rabid Yankees fans.

Republicans only like the Yankees because they are establishment and because they win. Typical Republican shallowness. I have never understood how one could be a Yankees fan.

[DeepModem Mom]

23. Curious --

NOT being argumentative, really just curious -- I thought so many people outside New York hated New York (I'm a New Yorker) that the Yankees wouldn't have many fans outside the area. Do they?

[Zynx]

26. Even here in Wisconsin, they exist in fairly large numbers.

I remember during the WS last season, all the hardcore Republicans were backing the Yankees and the more liberally minded were backing the Marlins.

[Shopaholic]

33. I was born and raised in South Carolina and my entire family

are lifelong Yankee fans. Bobby Richardson was a family friend and I guess the roots of our devotion to the Yankees began when my Grandfather and Uncles were all following Bobby's career. Anyway, as a result, I grew up a Yankees fan. So yes, Yankee Fans exist everywhere--even here in the South. And we're not all Republicans!

[H2O Man]

30. That's ridiculous.

Putting a label on a group of people that you identify as "the enemy" or "supporters of the enemy" in order to dehumanize them represents a short-cut to thinking. Most Yankee fans I know are hard-working, middle-class folks who simply love the greatest team in sports history. A huge percentage are teen-agers who could hardly be classified as die-hard political hacks. You can be a Red Sox fan without resorting to that type of tactic. It'll make you seem a little less like a sore loser here in a short time.

[farmbo]

31. They're not necessarily Republican...just front-running lice...

...who are a dark stain on the conscience of humanity.

[DarthDem]

5. Proud Endorser . . .

. . . of John Kerry and the Boston Red Sox. Hey, Red Sox: let's put these tools away.

[sandnsea]

6. The year the bambino lifts the curse

Because he loved his country more than baseball.

[Princess Turandot]

14. The only thing the Babe loved more than baseball..

was probably beer, and that by a hanging chad margin.

[Newkophile]

11. I will gladly take an all Massachusetts year, but

I'm a lifelong Yankee fan. Best thing my father ever did for me was make me a Yankee fan during the days of Mickey, Yogi, Whitey, etc. Will fervently root for them against the Red Sox as always.

However, I do have my priorities straight. If the Red Sox do manage to end the curse AND Kerry emerges victorious on election night wearing a Boston Red Sox cap, I will be a very happy camper. (Hopefully this imagined scenario will not extend to the Patriots winning yet another Super Bowl).

[jfxgillis]

34. Don't worry about it--noon on 20 Jan '05 ....

... The Pats will still be possessors of the Lombardi Trophy no matter what they do this season.

All-New England sweep this year with UConn winning the two NCAA basketball championships!!

Hockey's on strike ...

MMMMMMmmmmm and let's just not talk about the Celtics for now, 'kay?

[Princess Turandot]

12. La di Da...26 World Series Champs..

and most of those came before George bought the team.

You fail to mention that the hirsuit ones have the second biggest payroll in MLB, and I believe, charge the highest ticket prices as well.Plus, the Red Sox might have come a bit closer to the Yankee salary if they had signed A-Rod.

George also donates $$$ to Dems.

But the bottom line is that he is willing to give NY the type of team it wants. If the Red Sox owners don't want to that, that ain't our fault.

Arrogant? All the trash talk from the players themselves comes from Boston.

Plus, good Democrats don't throw 75 year old men to the ground.

[masshole]

15. interesting sidebar

The MLB "Wild-Card" system that allows this Red-Sox-Yankees matchup is now ten years old. When it was first proposed, only ONE American League owner voted against the idea... guess who?

None other than the owner of the Texas Rangers, George W. Bush.

[Richardson08]

16. John Kerry is such a big Sox fan-Manny Ortez

He referred to either Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz as Manny Ortez

Big Sox fan!!!

[TomClash]

17. Here's the real Republican baseball team . . .

. . . The St. Louis Cardinals. Big Bush supporters.

John Henry contributed to Kerry's campaign.

Most athletes who are political are Repukes.

[Richardson08]

20. Yankees have not won a WS under Republican since 58

NY state is strongly under the Kerry column

Too bad SC is not

[mindfulNJ]

21. Good grief.

PLEASE don't politicize baseball. I am a Red Sox fan and I want to enjoy the games as an ESCAPE from politics this year. Don't ruin it for me.:(

[bushwakker]

24. The Red Sox were the last major league team to integrate

The club had a long reputation as a bastion of racism (anyone remember the Winter Haven Elks Club?) under former owner from South Carolina Tom Yawkey. Obviously this is no longer the case. Just a little bit of history.

As a Yankee fan living with shouting distance of Fenway Park the next 10 days are gonna be rough. Lets Go Yank-ees!!!

[Zynx]

27. That's just a low blow.

But while we're at it, A-Rod is huge Bush backer.

[Richardson08]

28. Two strong Blue states

[Zorra]

29. Interesting theory. But the Cardinals take the Series in 5.

Regional blue collar beats Bu$h and Steinbo simultaneously.

Theee Democrats win! Theee Democrats win!

[iceman_419]

32. It would probably make more sense if it were the

Texans vs.The Sox, but you make your point anyways. Kerry is a sox fan, but plays politics like a patriot.