I read a story in today's (10/22/04) New York Times that included a description of the Red Sox as the "little brother" of the Yankees. After an experience I had yesterday, I think that's a fair characterization.
I must offer this caveat in the interest of full disclosure: I am a Mets fan, always have been and I suspect I always will be. I wore my Red Sox cap yesterday as I have been throughout the series between the two arch rivals. It's more an "anti-Yankees" hat than a reflection of my devotion to the Bean Town Nine.
Yesterday I walked into a pizza place to get a slice, wearing my Sox cap. Initially, I got a few comments from the guys behind the counter and some stares from other customers. (One guy behind the counter said, "You're wearing that hat in here?") Soon, however, the pizza guys gave me respect. They quickly showed their true baseball grit by congratulating the Red Sox. They knew their team had been beaten, and it had happened on their field.
I thanked them and waited for my slice to emerge from the oven. When it was ready and I was paying for it, one of the pizza guys said, "In all seriousness, is the curse just about beating the Yankees or winning the World Series?"
"The World Series," I said.
He thanked me and said, "Good luck. I hope you win it." And I felt he was sincere.
For the first time since I was a kid hating to watch my Mets finish in last place -- not even having a shot at contending when they moved north from spring training -- I kept my true allegiance a secret. In fact, maybe it's the first time ever, because I never really hid my being a Mets fan from anyone. But I didn't say it in the pizza place. I knew the respect they were showing there was sincere, and my insincerity of wearing a Red Sox cap that I didn't truly deserve would have been an insult. I didn't want to disrespect them; they deserved better.
Yankee fans, the ones I've talked to in the 36 hours, have been respectful of the Red Sox. It's like the little brother has grown up and gotten a place of his own. My estimation of the true Yankee fan has been raised.
Perhaps the Mets were above the Red Sox before, but now they've fallen behind. The Mets lost in the World Series four years ago. The Yankees -- particularly Derek Jeter -- were respectful and classy and honored their fallen opponent. Now the Yankees have fallen. And by virtue of the Red Sox victory, the Mets seem to have been relegated to third place in New York.
I'm ready for the comments now. I'm a Mets fan. I'm rooting for the Red Sox, but the Yankees ... Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Mo Rivera, Jorge Posada, Bernie, Matsui, Mussina ... you guys are professionals. I tip my Mets cap to you.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Chapter 20: Ya Gotta Believe!
It's hard to believe, but the Red Sox beat the Yankees. I'm thrilled at the prospect of seeing them become World Champions, especially since it doesn't come at the Mets' expense.
If the Astros win the National League tonight, then we have Kerry's home state vs. Bush's home state. Personally I'd rather see the Cardinals win the NL, because I think they're a better club. Plus, the Red Sox have lost two of their previous four World Series appearances since 1918 to the Cardinals (1946 and 1967). Why not wipe out two curses at once...
I won't make any predictions about who will win yet, but I have to believe it'll be an exciting series. Even if the NL team took a 3-0 lead in games, this Red Sox club can't be counted out.
So, will Bruce Hurst throw out the first ball at one of the games this weekend? (For the uninitiated, he was going to be the MVP of the 1986 World Series until Bob Stanley's wild pitch and Bill Buckner's error changed everything.)
If the Astros win the National League tonight, then we have Kerry's home state vs. Bush's home state. Personally I'd rather see the Cardinals win the NL, because I think they're a better club. Plus, the Red Sox have lost two of their previous four World Series appearances since 1918 to the Cardinals (1946 and 1967). Why not wipe out two curses at once...
I won't make any predictions about who will win yet, but I have to believe it'll be an exciting series. Even if the NL team took a 3-0 lead in games, this Red Sox club can't be counted out.
So, will Bruce Hurst throw out the first ball at one of the games this weekend? (For the uninitiated, he was going to be the MVP of the 1986 World Series until Bob Stanley's wild pitch and Bill Buckner's error changed everything.)
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Chapter 19.7: American Fool
Caught John Mellencamp on Letterman last night. I've been out of the loop when it comes to his recent music. But back in the late '80s and early '90s, he was the quintessential American pop songwriter in my mind -- even moreso than Bruce Springsteen. His voice came from middle-America, his values seemed to be those of the people of the soil. And with the jangle of mandolin, the sweet lacing of fiddle strings, and a jumpy accordian part or two, a song by John (don't call me Cougar) Mellencamp was immediately identifiable and often memorable.
Last night, the sound was still there. But who the hell was the guy in the zoot suit? How much jell did he have slicking back his hundred-dollar haircut? Did I miss the episode of Queer Eye when they made over Mellencamp? When did he become John Cougar Metrosexual?
I realize he's getting older, but Mellencamp looked like a cross between Wayne Newton, Don Henley and a light bulb. This is the man who sang "Rain on the Scarecrow"?
In the music world, image often is everything. Good luck in Vegas, Mr. Mellencamp. It was nice knowing you.
Last night, the sound was still there. But who the hell was the guy in the zoot suit? How much jell did he have slicking back his hundred-dollar haircut? Did I miss the episode of Queer Eye when they made over Mellencamp? When did he become John Cougar Metrosexual?
I realize he's getting older, but Mellencamp looked like a cross between Wayne Newton, Don Henley and a light bulb. This is the man who sang "Rain on the Scarecrow"?
In the music world, image often is everything. Good luck in Vegas, Mr. Mellencamp. It was nice knowing you.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Chapter 19.6: Gay Rights For Fish?
According to a story in The Washington Post today (10/15/04), several male smallmouth bass were discovered to have developed eggs. They're being called "intersex" bass, but it's not clear whether they're capable of reproducing as males or as quasi-females. [I'm not linking the story since it'll be sent into the Post's archives within a few days and thus is a waste of time.]
The chief questions revolve around how the fish were altered -- was it pollution, hormones in the Potomac River, other causes -- but I wonder if it might signal something more profound. Could all life be capable of being sexually altered as a consequence of man's careless actions upon the environment? If so, and if played out on a major scale, how would that affect the social, political, cultural, and spiritual environment?
Gotta read the news every day ...
The chief questions revolve around how the fish were altered -- was it pollution, hormones in the Potomac River, other causes -- but I wonder if it might signal something more profound. Could all life be capable of being sexually altered as a consequence of man's careless actions upon the environment? If so, and if played out on a major scale, how would that affect the social, political, cultural, and spiritual environment?
Gotta read the news every day ...
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Chapter 19.4: Family Connections
I'm back and in the few moments I have today to jot in a blog entry, I reflect on the past weekend rather than the week that preceded it. Maureen and I and her siblings and their spouses and families got together to celebrate the 50 years of Maureen's parents' marriage. Congratulations to them, and I'm so pleased we were able to all come together. Plus, my parents came down to help celebrate the event. It was great to see them, too, and to introduce them to my sisters-in-law that they haven't met. The day was really about family and maintaining strong connections.
My mom said she didn't want anything like the party we just had -- in terms of size and seeming extravagence, I presume. But, God willing, when my parents arrive at that milestone, I think they'll deserve a celebration too. We have some time to consider it, however.
On another note: I think Maureen's siblings are recognizing that I actually intend to finish my novel. When I suggested that I might have one or two of them serve as readers for the book, they weren't too keen on the idea. My chief concern is that my depiction of the artist in the novel rings true, so I hope Bobby will at least be able to read some of it -- preferably all of it.
One way or the other, I'll make sure this book is an honest portrayal of the characters in their element.
My mom said she didn't want anything like the party we just had -- in terms of size and seeming extravagence, I presume. But, God willing, when my parents arrive at that milestone, I think they'll deserve a celebration too. We have some time to consider it, however.
On another note: I think Maureen's siblings are recognizing that I actually intend to finish my novel. When I suggested that I might have one or two of them serve as readers for the book, they weren't too keen on the idea. My chief concern is that my depiction of the artist in the novel rings true, so I hope Bobby will at least be able to read some of it -- preferably all of it.
One way or the other, I'll make sure this book is an honest portrayal of the characters in their element.
Friday, October 01, 2004
Chapter 19.2: Catch & Release
I've been home since Sunday and now it's off again on another business trip. We had a very good time in Vegas. I actually gambled more than I expected. We might have actually lost $20 to $25!
The next trip doesn't involve my giving a presentation, so the stress level is just a smidgen lower. I'm looking forward to getting to meet many in this industry that is still rather new to me.
In other news, I express my condolences to the family of Scott Muni, the famous disc jockey who made WNEW what it was before Opie & Anthony heralded its demise. Scottso was a familiar voice of my childhood, perhaps only third behind the recently deceased Bob Murphy and his annnouncing partner Ralph Kiner. As a Beatle lover, I also appreciated that Muni always kept them at the forefront of his play list.
And one more note of loss: The Montreal Expos are ending their history where it began -- Shea Stadium, playing the Mets. Unlike in the Expos inaugural game in 1969, their opponent in their final game isn't the future World Series champion. I saw an Expos game at the "Big O," against the Mets in the late 1980s, sitting behind Darryl Strawberry in right field. I was there with a group of young kids from the Summit YMCA who were in my care.
To me, Montreal is losing something, but I don't deny the team had fallen into an untenable situation. No true owner, a dwindling market of supporters and no television contract to keep fans rooting and aware of the players meant the team was doomed. It was once a baseball town, however, second to the Canadiens, of course. It was the city where Jackie Robinson debuted in his affiliation with Major League Baseball (though in my mind the Negro Leagues were filled with Major League capable players and should be considered "major league.")
In my mind it would be appropriate for the new team of the national capital to take on the name of the old Homestead Grays that played in the area half a century ago. It would honor the memory of the Negro Leagues in a city that has a strong African-American population that should provide a huge part of their new fanbase. It would recognize the legacy of their team's predecessor town in a baseball sense. And think of the marketing possibilities!
The next trip doesn't involve my giving a presentation, so the stress level is just a smidgen lower. I'm looking forward to getting to meet many in this industry that is still rather new to me.
In other news, I express my condolences to the family of Scott Muni, the famous disc jockey who made WNEW what it was before Opie & Anthony heralded its demise. Scottso was a familiar voice of my childhood, perhaps only third behind the recently deceased Bob Murphy and his annnouncing partner Ralph Kiner. As a Beatle lover, I also appreciated that Muni always kept them at the forefront of his play list.
And one more note of loss: The Montreal Expos are ending their history where it began -- Shea Stadium, playing the Mets. Unlike in the Expos inaugural game in 1969, their opponent in their final game isn't the future World Series champion. I saw an Expos game at the "Big O," against the Mets in the late 1980s, sitting behind Darryl Strawberry in right field. I was there with a group of young kids from the Summit YMCA who were in my care.
To me, Montreal is losing something, but I don't deny the team had fallen into an untenable situation. No true owner, a dwindling market of supporters and no television contract to keep fans rooting and aware of the players meant the team was doomed. It was once a baseball town, however, second to the Canadiens, of course. It was the city where Jackie Robinson debuted in his affiliation with Major League Baseball (though in my mind the Negro Leagues were filled with Major League capable players and should be considered "major league.")
In my mind it would be appropriate for the new team of the national capital to take on the name of the old Homestead Grays that played in the area half a century ago. It would honor the memory of the Negro Leagues in a city that has a strong African-American population that should provide a huge part of their new fanbase. It would recognize the legacy of their team's predecessor town in a baseball sense. And think of the marketing possibilities!
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