Letter to the Editor: This guy hates us

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (New York)

January 5, 2011

Dear Editor,

Your recent story on Cliff Lee, the ace pitcher, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, and not the New York Yankees, who offered significantly more money, mentioned one of the reasons why he chose not to sign with the team with the highest payroll.

Lee's wife didn't appreciate being "spat at" during last year's playoff game between the two teams at Yankee stadium. If true - Lee has denied it happened or was a factor in his decision in other reports - I'm glad Lee took that into account when making his decision.

Obnoxious, belligerent fans are found at every game these days, even so-called professional ones in cosmopolitan cities, and for that reason you'd think Lee might not hold the juvenile behavior of a few fans against the Yankees. I'm impressed that he and his wife apparently did, and not only because the Yankees are the only baseball team I root against. It means factors other than money influenced his decision.

Lee joins a very short list of players who couldn't be bought - by the Yankees anyway.

JIM GRAHAM
CHILI