Most of you know that I love the Boston Red Sox. I probably watch at least 120 of their games each year, and my wardrobe is comprised of many (a lot, actually) Red Sox shirts, hats, sweatshirts and a beautiful World Series Jersey. As a Red Sox fan, I love the rivalry with the Yankees; it is something special for Boston and New York fans alike. Fans of these two teams may not admit it (or often even realize) that these two teams rely heavily on one another for their individual appeals. Many fans of both teams will tell you that a New York/Boston ALCS would have been better TV than any World Series match up, regardless of who wins (remember 2003 & 2004). Getting to the World Series by besting your archrival to get there really makes it great (and it means a lot more than beating an expansion team or West Coast team, as was this year's ALCS).
That being said, I also have family roots in Flushing, NY - The home of the New York Mets; of whom I am also very loyal. Although the Mets have certainly had a bad year (which followed two consecutive years of epic collapses), I am still a fan regardless of their performance (remember, I can do this as I was a Red Sox fan from childhood through 2004). Granted, I would take the Sox over the Mets (1986? anyone?); but as a Mets fan, I am also sworn against rooting for the Phillies (well, any Philly team really; but that's not a Mets thing).
Most would say that I should root for the lesser of two evils, the Phillies; but I don't think that is prudent. I don't think I am capable of rooting for the Phils. I prefer AL baseball, I'm far more familiar with the Yankees and I love New York as a city. Mets fans are cheering the Yankees not just because they're playing an archrival, but because they're New Yorkers. Well, I may not be a true blood-born New Yorker; but I may have to partially root for the Yankees.
BUT, I honestly like the roster of Phillies better; which poses another problem. I have nothing but respect for Mo and Jeter, but I can't stand A-Rod, Damon, Joba, Girardi or Tex (I felt that way when he was an Angel). Too many of these Yankees have an MVP complex and walk with a swagger that bothers me. Now I know the same could be said about Beckett or Youk, but they're out golfing right now; so that is a dead end argument. Philadelphia actually has some classy guys like Cliff Lee, Victorino and Ryan Howard. The Phillies also have my favorite pitcher, Pedro Martinez (Who, by the way, is among the most hated active players in Yankee Universe); which is making this even harder. Well, I am a Pennsylvanian; so maybe I could root for the Phillies on a technicality.
Either way, the archrivals of my two favorite teams are facing each other. Picking a victor is like choosing between Hillary or Obama. Either way, I am going to hear a lot of trash from both sides. Maybe I should just wait for Spring Training.
Regardless of what transpires, I still won't lower my standards enough to watch football (I'd sooner wear a Yankees cap). May it go the full seven.
