Draft Day Suit

This is not new news.  On Sunday, September 27, 2009, the Washington Redskins lost to the Detroit Lions.  It was a memorable game because the Lions broke their 19 game losing streak.  Really?  The Lions? The last time the Lions beat the Redskins was in 2000, and the Lions have never beaten the Redskins in Washington!

So it was a rather appropriate topic for The Husband and me to discuss last night when we were at Fedex Field (for the U2 concert—woo!).  In January 2000, we’d been at Fedex Field for the NFC Wildcard game, in which the Redskins beat the Lions 27-13.    We reminisced how The Husband, who was The Fiancé at the time, got into a heated shouting match with the sea of Washington fans around us.   I joked that if it had gone much further, The Fiancé would not have become The Husband today.  After the Redskins tied up the win and the verbal brawl was finished, I had to deal with bad-tempered Fiancé the rest of the weekend.  I vowed then that I would not to attend any live sporting events where we are cheering for opposing teams.

That decision didn’t last long.    The Husband and I have seen the Orioles play the Tigers multiple times at Camden Yards and at Comerica Park.   When the Caps host the Red Wings, we always make it a point to go.  I don’t know why we keep attending these events since I don’t really enjoy them.  I am on equally on edge about The Husband as I am about how my team will play.    Let’s just say The Husband can be a grouch when his team isn’t doing well, so I find myself torn between rooting heartily for my team, and wanting his team to do well so that he won’t be cantankerous all night.

At the last Caps v. Wings game, we attended in our dueling jerseys as usual.  The Russians in the row behind us gave us a questioning look, then proceeded to befriend me as they were clearly Ovechkin fans.  Those guys and I celebrated each Caps goal with high-fives and hugs.  I had a great time…The Husband, not so much.  He sat in his seat and sulked.  This past Sunday, it was The Husband who was elated because his team (finally) won.  I tried to be happy for him, but I just wish the Lions hadn’t broken their streak beating my Redskins.

Ten years of being together and we’re still figuring out how we can root for opposing teams without straining our relationship.  It’s probably a good thing that we don’t keep track of wins-losses for our teams.

I freakin’ hate the New York Yankees.

Always have, always will.  For what it’s worth, I come by it honestly.   Some families have a strong allegiance to a team for one reason or other…but my family loathes the Yankees together.   My dad instilled this dislike into my sister and me when we were wee ones.  It’s just the way it is.

My hatred for them has grown and expanded throughout the years.   The loathing has been aided by my allegiance to the Baltimore Orioles.

I hate that the Yankees are the leading team in baseball.   I hate that they have more have more championships than any other franchise in North American professional sports history.   I hate that their history is rich and includes numerous celebrated players.  I hate that their former stadium was considered one of the most famous venues ever.  I hate that so many of their current players are heralded as the best of their position.   I hate their pinstripes, I hate their owner, I hate Jeffrey Maier, and I hate Derek Jeter.   I hate that I now have a document saved on my computer named NYY_hatred.

Before I married The Husband, I grilled him as to whether or not he would join the family circle of disparaging The Evil Empire.   He almost failed, as he started off by admiring their glorious history blah blah blah.   I had to sternly inform him that I wouldn’t consider matrimony to a person who could say even slightly complimentary things about the rat bastids.   He now knows it’s acceptable—and encouraged—to shout obscenities at the television if there is anything Yankee-related being broadcast.

Mind you: I only hate their players when they are actual Yankees.   I’ve been known to become huge fans of former Yankees—Joe Torre being the most recent (especially after his book!).   I’ve also been known drop my love for a player if they begin playing for the jerks (um, hello Mike Mussina).

I saw a NYY cap in the road the other day, and swerved to make sure I ran over it. Thank you, Phen, my Yankee hating friend, for leading the way!

So there it is.  I freakin’ hate the New York Yankees.  It’s just the way it is.