Damn Yankees!

Did I mention I'm on a 12-day business trip to Tampa, Florida?

I am.

Please don't be envious. These subsidiary systems audits in warm, sunny climes have a way of wearing down a fella.

So what's an overworked business traveler to do?

How about have his photo taken with two of the greatest ballplayers to don Yankee pinstripes.

What? No way Spartacus!

Yes. Way! Randal and Jimmy.

Now, I know this is not the type of photo a self-respecting Mets fan would sit for, let alone consider taking. But I became slacked jawed at the sight of Ron Guidry and Yogi Berra walking into the same restaurant where I was having dinner with my colleagues.



I mean seriously... passing on the chance to take that picture is like turning down an opportunity to have your picture with this guy...


Or giving up a point-blank chance to chuck your shoes as this guy...


I'll come clean here. I have been and always will be a die-hard Mets fan.


But in the truly lean Mets seasons of 1976-83:

When the Mets' All-Stars could be counted on the fingers of a man with severed hands;

When fans wished Willie Montañez would someday play firstbase with half the skill and heart of John Milner or Ed Kranepool;

When fans marveled at the majestic heights and distances of Dave Kingman's home runs while the team was being blown out by teams like the San Diego Padres;

When diehard fans held onto the delusional notion that the Tom Seaver trade to the Cincinnati Reds on June 15, 1977 for Pat Zachry, Steve Henderson, Doug Flynn, and Dan Norman would be good for the team...

Phew!


I did what any impressionable and vulnerable 14-year old New York City boy would do... root for the New York team that was winning.

Yes, god damn it. I rooted for the fucking Yankees.

My favorite Yankee then was Ron "Louisana Lightning" Guidry. How could you not root for this lanky lefty with the impossible-to-hit slider? This Cy Young Award winner was a master at painting the black of home plate with his fastballs.

He went 25-3 in 1978, winning #25 over the hated Red Sox in the one-game AL East playoff. Who else would you have sent to the mound?

And let's not forget that the great Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra. Not only is he arguably the greatest catcher to play the game; not only did appear in 15 All-Star Games, win the MVP 3 times, and win 10 World Series rings as a player, but was also a coach on the 1969 World Series Champion New York Mets, and took them within a game of winning the 1973 crown over the Oakland A's.

No siree.. It was an honor to have my photo taken with these fine gentlemen. They accepted my request with the courtesy and graciousness seldom seen in the sportsworld today. These guys are all class in my book, even if they are damn Yankees.