Giving Yankees Fans A Bad Name
I have little doubt that Steinbrenner is behind this. As a Yankees fan, I have to say - Tacky. Very, very tacky. There was a hurricane. Cut them some slack. Are the Yankees so unsure of their ability to win that they are reduced to asking for a forfeit because of travel delays caused by a hurricane?
I love the Yankees, but I hate George Steinbrenner. Best thing that happened to the Yankees since I've been a fan was the two years he was banned from baseball. I curse the day they lifted the ban.
Comments
The Devil Rays had numerous opportunities to leave for New York ahead of the hurricane, and according to today's Daily News, could have taken a charter flight on Sunday night. Regardless of why they waited until Monday, even if it was to stay with their families, it was an organizational decision that they knew jeopardized their chances of arriving in time for Monday's first game.
They should be prepared to deal with the consequences and have to forfeit the game. They weren’t there when the game was scheduled to start but could have been.
Baseball's rationale for denying the forfeit is that the games should be decided on the field. Agreed, but because of the Devil Rays' decision, this game will no longer be entirely decided on the field. Tampa’s failure to arrive on time may force the Yankees to play the game at another time that is inconvenient for them and that puts them at a disadvantage relative to other teams fighting for the playoffs. On the Monday before the playoffs start, for example, when other teams are resting and getting their pitching staffs in order.
Tampa Bay messed up. The Yankees shouldn’t have to pay.
Posted by: Jon | September 7, 2004 07:30 AM
I'm sorry, but when baseball starts getting in the way of people being able to spend time with their families during times of crisis, then I think it's gone too far. Baseball, like any sport, is only a game. Hurricanes, on the other hand, are not.
Posted by: Lesley | September 7, 2004 08:02 AM