JAY-Z IS NOT STEVE BARTMAN: A FAN'S TAKE

Earlier this week, Ike Dimitriadis wrote a piece titled: JAY-Z: THE YANKEES STEVE BARTMAN. The reviews were mixed, but it was insanely popular. But in the spirit of fan fairness, I wanted to present another side to it.  Enter Lisa Bernikowicz, who took issue with our piece.  We here at Bleeding Yankee Blue are for the fans... and so, here's Lisa's take. It's quite different than Ike's.  I thank you Lisa... 

Here it goes Ladies and Gentlemen. -C

If Jay-Z is the Yankees' Steve Bartman, then what's next? Is Robinson Cano the Yankees version of "the Curse of the Billy Goat"?  That second sentence sounds truly absurd, and yes, there is no real correlation between the two. Look, it's just as absurd to the Jay-Z / Bartman comparison. 

Jay-Z has been a loyal die-hard Yankee fan for his entire life. Steve Bartman is a loyal die hard Cubs fan as well. But that's where the comparison ends.  Steve Bartman would bring his radio to games and listen to the play-by-play as he sat in the stands straight out down the 3rd base line. These are tickets he had always had and were some of the best seats in the house. Jay-Z, I believe, sits in the very expensive "Legends" seats near home plate in Yankee Stadium. Now here's the difference...

Steve Bartman  was at a game where the Chicago Cubs were on the verge of going to the World Series for the first time since 1948. He reached over, he deflected a foul ball at the NLCS in 2003 and ten years later, that man is still the pariah of Chicago and Wrigley Field.  Steve Bartman had to leave town. He went into hiding. He had to give up his tickets and his Cubs.  Jay-Z on the other hand, won't have to do any of that.

Many believe that that foul ball defection spelt the demise of the Cubs and has become yet another curse to the organization. Chicago fans have been talking about this since 2003.  As a matter of fact, the fans are still talking about "the Curse of the Billy Goat" from 1948 as well. Even Mark Grace referenced the story one year ago on the Jay Leno Show. This is what Cubs fans do. Whether it's because it's something for them to hang onto and blame their lack of winning a World Series since 1908, who knows, but it's there.  

Look, in 10 years or probably even 5, Yankee fans will not be sitting around discussing Robinson Cano OR Jay-Z and how that ONE loss of a player is our curse. In other words, this signing of Cano to Seattle, will not be our demise as Yankee fans!  What we will more likely be saying is "Hey the Yankees are playing the Mariners tonight. What's their lineup? Does Robinson Cano still play for them? Haven't heard much about him in years."  With luck on our side, we will have won #28 and he will not have seen a World Series since his signing.  We Yankee fans won't be sitting on corners selling shirts saying "The Curse of Jay-Z. Re-sign Cano so we can go back to the post-season!"  As Yankee fans, that is not how we roll, nor will it ever be! 

The final comparison that was referred, is that Steve Bartman had to have security escort him out and that Jay-Z will need that the next time he comes to Yankee Stadium. Forget that.  Jay-Z is a multi-millionaire. They guy has his own security, of course.  Steve Bartman? That guy has never been heard from again. But Jay-Z we'll unfortunately see again. 

Robinson Cano will become one of my mom's funny one-liners. She says,  "Robinson Cano. When did he start playing for Seattle and why would he leave New York?"

Yeah... that's about right. 

--Lisa Bernikowicz
BYB Guest Writer




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