Giuliani's Evil Alliance Should Mean More to Yankee Fans

The Red Sox are a team that knows what coming from behind for the victory is all about. This was the general tone in New England over the past couple days when presidential hopefuls campaigned in New Hampshire and Massachusetts in preparation for their respective primaries. The theme of the “underdog” was evident when Barack Obama addressed several Massachusetts voters yesterday evening. Receiving a full endorsement from Gov. Deval Patrick, the lone African American United States Governor, Obama did not attempt to lure voters by pledging his support for city’s favorite sons: the Red Sox.

In fact, Barack Obama spoke of his undying love of different colored Sox: those of a white variety. The Senator from Illinois reasoned with the crowed who quickly began booing him after he pulled no punches on his baseball allegiances by asking if they wanted a President who flip-flopped on issues like rooting for sports teams.

Baseball allegiances have provided a concrete mainstay during any political interviews, debates, or general talk. For this reason, Barack Obama’s no-holds-barred approach to his lack of love for the Red Sox also provided a shot at his competition: Senator Hilary Clinton. Senator Clinton, a native of Illinois, flip-flopped at the concept of her Chicago Cubs facing off against her New York Yankees in the 2007 World Series. Fortunately, for Senator Clinton, both the Yankees and the Cubs were both bounced in the first round of the playoffs in 2007, giving her at least another year to pledge her undying support to either franchise.

Hilary Clinton’s waning support for the Yankees is something that Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is very familiar with. Giuliani, a self-proclaimed life-long Yankees fan, was outspoken in 1999-2000 when, then-First Lady, Clinton donned a Yankee cap at the White House when the pinstripes visited for a photo op with the President and First Lady. In fact, during the 2000 World Series, seeing Hilary Clinton wear both a Yankee and Met cap, depending on which was the home team of course, was not all that unfamiliar. On the other hand, there sat Rudy Giuliani in the front row at Shea Stadium during games three, four, and five wearing the same pristine navy cap with white interlocking N-Y sitting prominently at the forefront.

If there was one thing that New Yorkers could rely on, it was Rudy Giuliani’s devotion to the greatest franchise in sports and entertainment history. However, that all changed on October 23, 2007. While campaigning in New Hampshire, Giuliani announced to a crowd of supporters that he would be rooting for the Red Sox to defeat the underdog Colorado Rockies in the World Series. While the crowd erupted in cheers of joy for Giuliani’s pledged support, the residents of New York dropped their collective jaws in complete and utter shock.

Could this have really happened? Did the same man who openly ridiculed Senator Clinton for not knowing about the history and tradition of the Yankees really pull the ultimate no-no? As the saying, for all Yankee fans, goes: “I root for two teams, the Yankees and whoever’s playing the Red Sox.” Has Giuliani really lost touch with the great New York Yankee fan base, or has the “nation” in Red Sox Nation convinced him that he could obtain more votes around the country by supporting the most hated rivals of his “beloved” Bronx Bombers?

Giuliani is someone who has attempted to bully his competition at every Republican Debate by citing their propensity to flip-flop on issues ranging from gun control to tax cuts. Despite the light humor surround sports allegiances, Giuliani’s flip-flop regarding his undying support for the Yankees provides a rather significant metaphor for voters. If Giuliani is willing to turncoat on something as important to him as his Yankees (he “bleeds pinstripes,” you know…), then what would he be willing to do on issues not as close to his heart as gay marriage, foreign policy / wars, the economy, and social justice in America?

Fantasy Champion!

BRONX, NY --It was a glorious day. The New York Jets led by Chad Pennington and Thomas Jones trounced the always-fun-to-beat Miami Dolphins. And most of all, Team Fadds claimed the most coveted crown in sports and entertainment today: The Done-Save-Done Championship.

"It was absolutely unbelievable!" exclaimed team GM Brian McFadden, "The feeling that ran through my veins knowing that I beat the beatable is indescribable." After phoning Mike Antineou, the most unstoppable force in sports today, to thank him for a high-octane match-up, McFadden released a letter to the press:

"Mike is a good friend and a great competitor. I have the utmost respect for him as he not only beat, but tanned my ass twice in regular season play. I would also like to thank Matt "McLovin" McDonough for having the most overrated team in the history of fantasy baseball. If it weren't for him, I would have never attained the status of 'Underdogg' going into the play-offs against crazy good teams like Bassett, Coyle, and Umammas. Special thanks to Lou Barricelli for telling me after every pick that I was making the worst picks in the history of baseball drafts. Justin Shackil for looking like Adam LaRoche. And last but not least Bobby Coyle for consistantly telling me that Team Fadds was the most overrated team in the league. Thanks guys."

At 11:00 PM, champaigne bottles popped, brews were cracked, and Nick Swisher took out his favorite bong, "Wesley Pipes," for Team Fadds were the champs! "I am so happy right now," said game MVP Jacoby Ellsbury, "when I got the call on Sunday night, I couldn't contain myself... I actually called Carl Crawford, asked to speak to his groin and thanked it over the phone."

"I made that phone call too," said catcher Mike Piazza, "and by phone call... I mean I went to have a face to face with it mid-week." Crawford sat on the trainer's table across the lockerroom, bottle in hand, ear-to-ear grin on his face, knew that the championship run began with him, the team's first round selection way back in March.

"Carl gave us a great pre-game speech," said Brett Myers, "It inspired me to do something that I've never done before-- save more than one game per week!" This Myers was a different man from the one reporters had seen earlier this week. After Robert "Bobby" Coyle made comments about the teams luck, Myers began to waver. Visibly shook up by the "Future G.M.'s" harsh words, Myers was used until his arm fell off by McFadden, who wanted to "have Myers 'man-up'."

Jermaine Dye and Ichiro Suzuki sat in the corner alone. The were their usual quiet selves, despite a championship win. "I just want to thank Mr. McFadden for relying on me week after week," said Dye, holding back tears, "I know it was a struggle for me this year and..." Ichiro, finishing Dye's tear soaked response: "...he's very happy."

Breaking up the sob fest was Danny Haren, who stumbled into the reporters with a bottles of Grey Goose and Miller High Life in each hand. "Yeeeeahhhh! CHampppiooons BABY!!!! HAHAHa," eclaimed a visibly drunk Haren as he chased a shot of Goose with the champaigne of beers. Coming to his aid was Jamal Lewis (randomly) saying, "Man's gotta get his Goose on," as he followed Harn carrying an semi-automatic.

The scene was a hectic one, but if this reporter can sum up Team Fadds' championship run in only a few words they would be these:

Ezekial 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepards the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengence and FURIOUS anger those who attempt to poison and destory my brother. And you will know my name is the Lord, when I lay my VENGENCE UPON YOU!

A Difficult Journey

The following differs from a majority of my previous posts. I took the opportunity to reflect on my weekend (sort of) trip to Harvard University, where my girlfriend is readying herself to move. It seems great to me now, though I was not completely sold on it at the time. The follwoing documention will go into full detail concerning my thoughts and actions about her move and our relationship. Thank you for reading.

To begin this past week, I traveled to Cambridge, MA where my girlfriend will (eventually) spend the next 3 years as a Harvard University Law student. It was my first time visiting Harvard, but this trip wasn't for sight-seeing... it was strictly business. We were to deliver a number of items to her new apartment to lighten the load for her Mother and Aunt when it came time for her to move to Cambridge for good. To say the least, the trip was bittersweet. I’ve never been so excited and scared in my life.

When be pulled up to her apartment, I noticed the untrimmed hedges immediately (call it the landscaper in me) and walked up the rickety wooden stairs to her front door. From the outside, I couldn’t believe that this weed-laden, boy’s bathroom-colored house was the place that my girlfriend was going to be living! I was afraid to stay there for a night, let alone have her stay there for the next three years.

Once we entered the apartment, however, my tune changed. Freshly waxed floors, the smell of newly painted walls, and the blinding whitewashed walls gave me that “sanitary and safe” hospital feeling. Her room was beautiful; it looked like a room that a Harvard student should study in: dark birch-esque wood base with pure white walls and ceiling (the type of model you would expect to find in a library). When I first stepped into the room I thought, “So, this is what Harvard is like.”

The entire process of leaving my apprehensions outside the ugly exterior of the house before entering the beautiful interior essentially sums up the relationship between Harvard Law School and myself. Though Harvard has abducted the single-most important person in my life, it is important to look past the blunt “exterior” that is her sporadic absence in my life over the next three years. The interior of our relationship reflects many more great moments of the past and infinite future events that will bring us closer together.

The exterior and interior qualities of my struggle have an inverse as well. Whenever there is a discussion about Harvard I act ecstatic, of course there is nothing better than being accepted into a top-flight Law School. In this instance though, is it that far-fetched to internally feel a tad-bit selfish? Of course not... though it is completely uncalled for to let one’s feelings and opinions get in the way of another’s destiny. I know that she is destined for great things in her life, greater things than my current selfishness. Ergo, Harvard is wonderful!

It is hard to look into the future when the present seems so trying. That night, a loud clanging sounded throughout the apartment. Was someone attempting to break in? Was someone already inside? Several unnerving and fearsome thoughts entered both our minds as I felt her beating heart against mine. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was time for action. I walked toward the window, heart in throat, hoping the explanation for this disturbance was laughable/stupid.

When I found that the oscillating fan was the culprit, relief consumed my entire self. I was so glad that we were safe I almost instantaneously fell into a sound sleep, but I could not help but draw yet another parallel. The fear we both felt that night served as a representation of the fear that people in a long-distance situation feel on a daily basis. However, when one takes a step back and looks at the source of their fear, they find that in all matters surrounding love, there is nothing to be afraid of. It is ironic afterall as love is also the cure for this aforementioned fear…

Essentially, the “evil” oscillating fan provided an opportunity to reflect on the fear surrounding our situation at its source. I know that my girlfriend is entering a different, scary situation that both she and I may not like, but it’s important for us both to conquer this fear in order for our relationship's strength to be revealed and fully realized at the end of the journey.

After my night at Harvard, I have never felt safer. I feel that my girlfriend will not only flourish at Cambridge, but that our relationship will graduate to the next level along with her. I couldn’t be prouder or her or feel stronger with her by my side.