Sea Change

Lately several posts on this blog were loaded with ship analogies. Well, as long as we are gazing at our navals, I would like to add one more.

Sea Change. 

As Yankee fans we have come to expect a higher standard, an expectation of winning or, at a minimum, competing at a high level. It feels like our birthright. 

We don’t tolerate losing easily and, in the case of the Yankees, we have good reason for this.

However, in the broader tapestry of New York sports fandom we actually root for quite a few teams that, to be kind, underperform. 

The last time the Jets won it all I was so young my list of impressions included a passable Geraldine and, with the exception of last year, my New York Giants have been one of the NFL’s worst teams for quite a while. Don’t get me started on the Knicks.

My point is that we root for a lot of bad teams. We've sat through a lot of losses. We developed an ability to, if not forgive, at least understand and to a certain degree, accept ineptitude both on the field and in the front office and continue to watch. 

Good. Because we’re going to need it.

Which brings me to the Sea Change.

Even as the Giants and Knicks rise to the point of cautious hope and watchability along with the conviction  that they are going in the right direction, The New York Yankees are headed for Davey Jones' Locker. It’s the one right next to Stanton’s. 

The Yankees are not good. They are not going to be good. Not for a LONG time. 

We are going to have to get used to the idea that they are the 1970’s Giants, The Knicks of the 2000’s.  A clueless combination of mediocre players and big names past their prime combined with horrific management both in the clubhouse and in the front office. 

Whatever it was that enabled us to watch those crappy New York teams must now be applied to the Yankees. We need to care and not care at the same time.

We are going to need to find new ways to enjoy the games. No longer surprised at the error, or the overturned call, but to take delight in Volpe’s base hits or his great relay throw that ALMOST got the runner. Because “almost” is now the default.

I have one solution.

I think both Hoss and El Duque referenced the SS Minnow recently and someone else (Rufus?) mentioned the concept of "The Gilligan". Let’s take it one step further...   

The Yankees have a fake WWE championship belt that they bestow to the player that won the game. I say we should have  "Gilligan’s Hat”. We give it to the player that bungles that crucial moment and keeps us all stuck on the island. 

Because this show is going to run for years.

Last night’s Gilligan’s Hat Recipient: Jake Bauer

Sea Change.