Yanks

I am officially a Yankees fan.  I wasn't always but now I am. Raised a Jersey girl, I've always had a fondness for the Yanks.  But I'll be honest I never really understood the insane passion that went into being a fan.  The kind of dedication that leads someone to tattoo their team's logo onto their flesh or buy everything from magnets to socks to beer cozies representing their team.  I was the kind of fan that said the day after the big game, "Did they win?  Awesome!". Yes that was me.

Then 4 years ago I met the biggest Yankees fan I've ever met.  My husband and his family bleed blue.  First he bought me the jersey. Naturally the hat followed.  I didn't really think it was my look but what the heck.  He just had to remind me when they were playing.

Last week, I think game 3, my hubby went to a local sports bar to check out the game.  After running some errands I decided to join him.  What began as a solo event grew into a table of 5.  Tammy noticed there were five parties of 1 each with their solo cheering section. One by one she gathered the guys.  Everyone was for it because let's face it, Mariner's fans hate the Yanks.  Jose was among the group and he had unofficially created the NW Yankee fan group.  His group went to games together and gathered at local pubs for the ones they had to miss.  

Game 4.  My husband was out of town and I went to represent for this party of 2.  The group I met along with a few others that found us had grown.  We drank, we cheered, we chanted.  I left early for Halloween 2009 (see earlier post).

Game 5.  I get to the pub to meet my peeps in the back room we've now reserved as private.  We hug, we high 5. My husband is stuck in an airport and we all talk about how much it sucks.  We drink, we cheer, we chant, we cry.  We're ok because game 6 will be home and my husband can watch them win.

Game 6.  My husband is back.  Our group has tripled in size.  I don't know 1/2 these people but eff it.  We're all buddies.  We're all wearing blue and we're all chanting the same chants.  Then we get annoying and start chanting everything to the "Let's go Yankees" 4 syllable chant.  The bar hates us.  Shit.  I'm a fan and I find us annoying.  "KA ATE HUD SON!"  "KA ATE HUD SON!" every time A-Rod does something awesome.  We talk about what part of Jersey or New York we're from.  We talk about work, kids, nothing.  

So now I'm a fan whether for the right or wrong reasons.  I love the Yanks.  There's a camaraderie among fans that I finally get. It is awesome.  I look forward to next season when I can remind my husband to put on his jersey.