Bleeding Yankee Blue: RIVAL NEW YORK TEAMS WITH ONE THING IN COMMON

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

RIVAL NEW YORK TEAMS WITH ONE THING IN COMMON

Source: NY Post

Today, this post is authored by my niece, a Class of 2018 rising baseball content developer and marketing specialist. Although we have a love of baseball in common, we root for two different New York teams. In this piece, guest writer Melissa O'Rourke (@missy_orourke) shares her take on this rivalry with a side of leadership and tradition.

For as long as I could remember, baseball has been a big part of family life, especially between my aunt Suzie and me. To be fair, I started off as a Yankees fan. Summers consisted of going to Yankee Stadium, eating all of the ballpark food I could get a hold of, and cheering on Derek Jeter.

Source: New York Post

It was when I went to college that I became a traitor- I became a Mets fan. To make matters worse, going to school in New England leaned me towards the Red Sox as well. If you are a regular reader of Bleeding Yankee Blue, and you follow Suzie Pinstripe's posts, I am sure you know that Suzie was not very happy with me when she saw me donning a Red Sox cap at Fenway Park. We have the occasional, “I’m going to steal your players,” battle, but overall I think she has finally accepted me for who I’ve become. She also has accepted Jacob DeGrom is mine and will forever be mine.

Some of my favorite times with Suzie consist of beer flights, or wine, and watching baseball. One time we even stayed up into the late night watching every game on MLB TV until the West Coast games eventually ended, post game interviewed finished and the network went dark. Although exhausted, we had a great night.

Regardless of my stance, I will always be a New York fan. I was born and raised a New Yorker, so I will always root for the Yankees if they’re not playing the Mets.

One thing that both teams have in common is a lead figure on their team. Statistics aside, David Wright and Derek Jeter are two icons for their respective teams. Both starting and ending their careers with the same organization, they truly made their mark in the most respectable way possible. They drew a huge fan base, lead their teams both on the field and off and gave their whole selves to this game, ending their careers as captains.

Not wanting to leave his team just yet, David Wright has recently announced he will assume the role of Special Advisor to the Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and Brody Van Wagenen.

“I will always be tremendously grateful for the way fans treated me because playing in this city and for this team was a dream come true. I look forward to contributing and taking on the challenges of this new role,” said Wright via Twitter.

Source: Miami Herald

Although not still working with the Yankees, I think it is great Jeter decided to also stay in the baseball world by co-owning the Marlins. He did help close one of he biggest deals in Yankees history with the signing of Giancarlo Stanton at the end of 2017.

The question still looms for both clubs, feeling the absence of their great leaders: Who will be the next captain, perhaps a dying role?

Source: Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Frazier, a former Yankee, is a player I believe has the potential to step up for the Mets. In a recent SNY article, Frazier said he wants to take rookie Peter Alonso under his wing, even requesting for their lockers to be next to each other at spring training. However, I believe he needs to have a better and more consistent 2019 season, with fewer injuries, to be considered for that role.

Source: NJ.com

I am not a Yankees expert, but I know there are veteran players, such as CC Sabathia, who have been on the team for some time and could provide some insight to the younger players. The Yankees are an extremely talented and successful team, but I think what they need is some leadership to really take them to the next level. Perhaps Suzie has some insight on who she thinks will step up on the Yankees?

I am excited to see what happens in 2019 for both the New York teams as pitchers and catchers report in less than five weeks. I would like to thank my aunt for letting me write this piece. Can’t wait for more late, wine filled, baseball nights.

And Missy, let's keep that rivalry alive with another inter-league battle this time at Citi Field, on me! Good slice of life writing with a special connection to leaders all New Yorkers love. Happy Hump Day!