Yankees vs. Redsox Rivalry

Two sworn enemies, both at least hundreds of years old, and neither of them planning on reconciling their differences. They live close to each other, yet never get along, and whenever they get together, there is usually a fight. I’m talking about thousands of people, living in the same area, and still being arch-enemies. If you thought I was talking about the Civil War, you were wrong, and I’m sorry. This rivalry that I’m speaking of is that of the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. I’ve done extensive research on Baseball-almanac.com and both the team websites, so if anybody here ever wanted to know anything about the history of these two teams, how the rivalry started, and where the rivalry has gone since the beginning, today is your day.

According to Baseball-almanac.com, the Boston Red Sox came into the American League, which was the official professional baseball league back then, in 1901. Within two seasons of playing, the Red Sox won their first World Series in 1903 led by the legendary Cy Young, the right handed pitcher that set the path for many great pitchers to come. The Boston Red Sox, then the Braves, adopted the name “Red Sox,” in 1907. They went on to win championships in 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918. In 1914, the Sox debuted a left-handed pitcher who went by the name of Babe Ruth. Winning a total of 89 games within the next 6 years established Babe as one of the premier pitchers in the majors. He also had quite a knack for hitting home-runs and in 1919 made a name for himself amongst the sluggers when he hit a remarkably unheard of 29 homer’s. By the end of the year, the finances of the Sox’s owner then, Harry Frazee, were spiraling quickly. In an effort to boost his financial record, Frazee made what is now the most infamous deal in the history of Major League Baseball: he sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. This was an abomination to the Sox fans and from this deal came the infamous “curse of the Bambino” which was a curse the Red Sox felt was bestowed on them once they got rid of the Babe. From then on, the Sox were plagued with utterly disappointing seasons. Despite the amazing players that crossed their paths, and the amazing title bid’s they would make, they would always seem to lose their chances in heart-breakers. That is, until 2004 when they finally broke this “curse,” and won their first championship since 1918. As of now, the curse is gone, and the Red Sox had a new beginning to start on. No more blaming anyone else for their losses!

According the New York Yankee’s team website, the Yanks began their careers as the New York Highlanders, in 1903, when they were bought by a couple New York bartenders for 8,000 dollars, planning on moving an old Baltimore franchise to the north. The Yankees, who were known as the Highlanders until 1912 weren’t a team to be reckoned with until the year of 1920, when they made a tremendous deal to sign a young charismatic pitching Ace and slugger named Babe Ruth. From then on, things were to change. Along with Babe, the Yankees began to rake in talent, left and right, like the great first baseman Lou Gehrig and the legendary outfielder Joe DiMaggio. Thus begins the Yankees dynasty. They won three straight pennants making a challenge for the title from 1921 to 1923. They won their first in 1923 when they first moved into Yankee Stadium. From then on, it was pure domination. The Yanks won again in 1927 and ’28, then ’32, again in ’36, all the way through ’39. From 1941 to 1950 they won 5 more championships. They won championships from ’51 to ’53. Then again in ’56, and from then until ’62 they won 4 titles. They won again in ’77 and ’78. After that, they went on a sudden drought. The next 16 years were years of reconstruction, and by 1996, the Yankees were back to their old ways. They won 3 more championships between then and 2000. The Yankees haven’t won yet this decade, but according to their history, they are due up soon.

If you look at the history of those two teams, they both have one thing specifically in common: Babe Ruth. Once the Yankees got Ruth, they prospered, and Boston fell behind…horribly. It was a drastic turn of events, seeing as back at the turn of the 20^th century, the Red Sox were then the best team to play ever, setting winning records non-stop, yet by 1920, they switched spots with the Yanks, and became the laughing stock of the MLB. From then on, things became rough, and whenever the team’s got together, there was always a major brawl. The two teams would continuously be in the race to win the pennant, and the Yankees would usually come out on time. You can obviously see why these two teams would dislike one another. This rivalry has been the center of many baseball fans and baseball player’s lives. There are still players that even after retirement, still dislike the other team. Even the fans are affected. There have been countless accounts where there have been legitimate fights over the two teams. In one instance, in 2004, the day after the Red Sox beat the Yankees in the American League Championship Series; there was a man who killed his two friends in a tussle involving this ongoing quarrel. In another case, after this Curse-Breaking win, there were people rioting in the streets in Boston whom were being contained by policeman got a little out of control. A woman was shot and killed in the middle of the celebrations in an accident. As you can see, things may get out of hand with this rivalry. It even takes over the conscious’s of the players and leads to extremely unprofessional acts.

The “original brawl,” occurred on May 30, 1938, when Red Sox player and manager Joe Cronin and Yankees Outfielder Jake Powell broke out in a fight beneath the stands in front of thousands of fans in Yankee stadium. Perhaps one of the most infamous brawl in baseball history, on May 20, 1976, the Yankees Thurman Munson, as he was rounding the bases, collided with Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, which ignited in a huge fight where the two were ejected from the game and fined generously. Although there were many instances of fights in between ’76 and ’03, this brawl seems its overshadowed all the others. In an American League Championship game against the Yankees, a great brawl broke out where the Yankees 73 year old bench coach, Don Zimmerman lunged at the Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez. Martinez moved out the way and threw Zimmerman down, which ignited an even bigger brawl. On July 24, 2004, the Yankees third Baseman, Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch and exchanged heated words with Sox catcher Jason Varitek. The two began fighting and caused a bench clearing brawl. It seems as though the two teams have no shame, and find it worth the while to fight each other.

All in all, I see this rivalry as the biggest in the sports world, period. It’s had a thorough history and it’s the best rivalry because it’s two of the most established franchises in the game, who always bring their top game whenever they play. The Red Sox – Yankees Rivalry will never end because the tradition has carried on for almost 100 years.

"Lucky" poem

Hey Lucky???

I hear you girl, calling me Lucky,

And I think you’re right too.

I am lucky to have you, and us.

Lucky to have you here when I fall that deep fall,

And it is even better to have us walk away; together.

I hear you girl, calling me Lucky,

And you all should hear her too.

If you were lucky enough to hear the chastity of her voice,

Then, maybe, you can make sense of what I cannot.

She makes me calm when I see her.

She makes me calm when I miss her.

And when those anxious thoughts arise,

Lucky thinks of her and there goes that chastity again.

I hear you girl, calling me Lucky,

But do you hear me calling you.

Though my voice may sound full of clichés,

At least this thought and this feeling is new.

At least for now my luck is good.

But time isn’t waiting for either of us,

And I’m damn sure running out of sand.

It’s ironic,

But my luck is running cold because the summer is drawing closer.

My luck is not even a woman,

I just wish she was my lady; Lady Luck.

I have been dealt some good hands,

But I’m feeling this one.

They says it better to Lucky than good,

So I’ll hold onto this hand.

I hear you girl, calling me Lucky!

This poem was written by a friend of mine. I really enjoyed it because who doesn't like the feeling of being lucky or having good fortune. I read the poem and find it interesting. The only thing different for me is that I look at in a different light. Instead, of considering myself lucky or hoping to get lucky, I pray that I am blessed. I'd rather receive a blessing rather than receive good fortune "by chance" or on accident.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop

There are many big problems I am seeing in the hip hop culture today. In the early eighties and late seventies hip hop was what most would say is pure. Well, it’s still pure, but you would probably have to search pretty hard for that unadulterated hip hop. Most people who aren’t really aware, or don’t really care about the Hip Hop community believe that most of it is degrading women, jewelry, and what color your car’s rims come in. I blame media because they focus on whatever is making the big corporations money. Usually that means anything with a beat that girls can shake their behinds to is going to be what you will hear on the radio and see on TV. Hip hop is a means of expressing yourself, whether you’re rapping, dancing, DJing, or “Graffing.” Unfortunately, a lot of artists out seem like they don’t need talent to make it big, just a song that will make you bob your head. Some other problems I have with hip hop today are the issues of race and class. I also hate the labeling all over hip hop, which is actually a world wide problem. Hip hop is a culture and usually is confused with Rap. Rap is a music genre that can be broken down into may other sub-genres. Over the years, true Hip hop has lost its zeal and has been labeled negative as opposed to positive and uplifting. Hopefully one day in the near future, an artist will come along and remind us what real Hip Hop is and should be.

Real life event reflection

This story is one for the ages. My roommate wrote this story because it was actually a real life event that could’ve ended worse than the way it did. It occurred the weekend we returned to school after Christmas vacation. What began as an enemy making fiasco later catapulted us to the middle/forefront of the campus society. Almost everyone was at this event. Since my friends and I are easy going nice guys, the world (SJU campus) was in awe that we were the ones who initiated it.

Many people told us that they saw the street filled with people in a ruckus. Several days later, when people realized we were the ones who started it, mixtures of amazement and laughter began. It was amazing how everyone on campus heard about the “brawl that never occurred.” After it was all over, the opposing guys caught us on campus one day asking us for an apology. This time only two of us were present, I and my cousin. We stood up for ourselves and didn’t apologize but rather told them that we were in the wrong as well as themselves that night. Since then, we have a mutual respect for each other. I wouldn’t call it a friendship between the two crews but rather a mutual understanding. This incident was also a wake up call telling us that we shouldn’t hang out in Queens as much as we try to, it’s already a risk living there.

Interesting story and real life event

Surrounded by at least thirty grown men, all of them with liquor on their breath, anger in there minds, ready to pummel the first person to make the wrong move. Backing up slowly, 4 anxious men, with their back to the street, have a feeling in the pit of their stomach that they have no choice but to go down with a fight. There’s no way out, and they have absolutely no idea what they did to trigger this anger, but it doesn’t seem like anybody is in the mood to talk. Sounds like a movie right? Perhaps a scene out of Pirates of the Caribbean 3? Well this is just a recap of one crazy night that I have chosen to share with all of you. Some of the names in this story have been changed for privacy purposes

It’s a late Saturday night, my friends Orpheus, Bo Vice, Olehan and I, all looking for a spot to hang out, and get our party on. It later comes to our attention that there is a party at the Jamaica Estates, here in Queens. Orpheus insists on heading out to this party, because he wanted to go out and have fun, and it seemed like the place to be, seeing as everyone we knew was going to be attending this party. I, on the other hand, warn them that I do not attend parties in Queens, because I do not enjoy the quarrels that constantly happen at these get-togethers. Olehan is slightly neutral in the decision, because he did not really care where he went, as long as some liquor was in his system. After a few minutes of Orpheus and Bo Vice insisting on heading out there, I reluctantly agree. Having an ominous feeling that something bad would happen tonight, I decide not to join in the alcoholic festivities in which my associates take part, not that I would in the first place. Well, seeing as I am not drinking with them, they take it upon themselves to finish up a bottle of grey goose vodka, and half a handle of Giorgio Vodka split between the three of them. They were very inebriated, to say the least. Now, I do not have my license, therefore I cannot drive three drunken men to a party which I do not know how to get to. So we ask a good friend of ours, Monica if she could drive us to this house party. She abided. So we’re on our way to the party and after driving around the estates, we finally find the street that the house is on, and pull up to the front. It looks slightly crowded, so Olehan, the most composed out of the three drunkards, asks me to go to the door and see how it looks. Orpheus gets out immediately with me and walks to the door, assuring me that he is “sober as a duck.” We walk to the door, and the guy at the door immediately tells us it was thirty dollars a head to get in. We both turn around in an instant, me walking back to Olehan, who is telling Monica to go find a spot to park down the street. Orpheus and Bo Vice are over talking to a few girls in a circle smoking, asking if they knew any way we could get into the house without paying thirty. The girls tell them to go and tell the bouncer that they were smoking and already paid. In an ingenious move, Orpheus and Bo Vice turn right around and walk up the lawn back to the door, telling the bouncer their incredibly seamless story, stating that they were already in there. (This is two minutes after he had told us it was thirty dollars to get in.) From there I knew it would get bad, because the bouncer must have felt insulted by Orpheus for trying a trick so ridiculous on him. After continuous arguing on Orpheus’ part, because Bo Vice is so drunk he couldn’t think of anything to say to convince the man he could get in, they get nowhere. Angrily, the two turn around and yell “F the party!” to the bouncer. I know this is not a good move on our part because he had bothered the man enough. I was right. The bouncer, whose height was similar to that of our very own Anthony Manna’s except he was less pigment challenged, and more intimidating, having a good 35 pounds on me, steps down, yelling obscenities and removing his jewelry slowly. I quickly walk to him explaining that we did not want it to escalate to anything. Once he stepped down though, all hell broke loose, at least 16 people following suit, warming up ready to fight. To our dismay, many of them were on the built side, when it comes to stature. While I am busy holding back the stronger African American version of Mr. Manna, my friends are backing people up off of them, slowly backing up to the street, Bo Vice holding back Orpheus emphatically yelling “I got my man!”. Orpheus, Olehan, and Bo Vice are ready, Orpheus the most enthusiastic about fighting telling everyone to back up and thinking he could take them all. I turn around and run over next to them, realizing that there is no way out of this but a fight. By now, at least 35 or 60 people were out on that lawn ready to get a piece of the action. Miraculously, our friend Monica comes back around the block with that ratty 91 brown Honda accord we drove to the party with a wondrous look on her face scared as hell. Quickly, Olehan jumps in the passenger seat, and Bo Vice pushes the reluctant Orpheus into the car. I’m the only one left out of the car, and the enemy is surrounding the car like a bunch of zombies. Gladly, as I look up I see my good friend and our own classmate Donovan Hamlet showing up trying to calm everyone down. Clearly, this wasn’t a good time to rendezvous or ask about what the speech homework was last night, so I quickly nod and hop into the moving car. The Manna-like man jumps to the other side and tries to open the door on Orpheus’ side, trying to grab him out. Orpheus’ stupid behind almost willingly gets out ready to fight. I snatch his shirt and get him back in the car, shutting the door. Finally, we’re safe, but extremely excited yelling at each other, some arguing that it was better to get in the car, others calling each other ‘wussies.’ I look back and as we drive a way I see some type of projectile flying towards us, and as it hits the window I realized how angry that mob was. These guys decided to throw a full bottle of Hypnotiq at the car! A bunch of drunken men throw an unopened bottle of liquor at us, something told me that it would have been an interesting brawl. They were definitely not the happy ones by the end of that tussle, but I’m ok with it, because as of now, everything has been settled, and we walked away unscathed.

To some it up, there’s really no moral to this story…just don’t get into arguments with the guys that run the party, it’s never a good idea. Have a good afternoon, and god speed.

Future bowling plans

After the concert tonight, some friends and I intended on going to the bowling alley. I’m not a good bowler but I enjoy playing games because of the level of competition. I think I’ve only been bowling no more than 10 times. My good friend Ernie came up with the idea of a bowling game amongst the circle of friends. So far, everyone invited has boasted that they are very skilled at bowling. We will see who’s who when we finally make our way to the lanes.

The funny thing about this competition is that girls are included in it. I don’t have anything against girls competing but I really do not want to lose to one of the girls we hang out with because she would never let me live it down. The surprising thing about me is that out of the few times I have gone bowling, I have never lost a competitive game. I usually play to the level of my competition. I tend to play better when I have to prove something or when I’m challenged. I really hope we eventually make our way to the bowling lanes before the school year comes to a close. This would be a wonderful way to finalize the school year.

Comment to Ernie's Addicting card's blog

I play the two card games that Ernie recently learned. Time after time, we sit around the table and play spades. We usually begin by complaining over how much homework we have to do and then all of a sudden a serious game of spades begins. I’ve been Ernie’s partner for a few games but for the most part, I play against him. The first 4 games my partner and I played against Ernie, we lost. Since then, I have beaten Ernie each time I have played him including twice tonight, 4/21. The game of spades takes a lot of skill and concentration. It can also bring friends together and even break friendships apart because of the high level of competitiveness.

The other game Ernie learned is a southern based game called “Tunk.” This game is an every man for themselves game while spades is a four player game divided into teams of two. In tunk, you must also concentrate and pay attention to the cards played but the other people around the table. Here in this game, I have more wins than Ernie as well but it’s not a surprise seeing as how I’ve known the game longer. Card games in college are great because it saves money by keeping us in the building during the night. Usually people like to go out to different events that cost large amounts of money. Over the summer I intend to continue playing both games in order to get better for next year’s competitors and my friend Ernie’s improvement in the game.