My first vivid memory of the New York Yankees is when they defeated the Atlanta Braves, which has always been my favorite team, in the 1996 World Series. As a nine-year-old child, this left a deep impression of disdain.
For years after, I rooted against the Yankees at every turn. I labeled the Yankees unjust for their exorbitant spending. I grew to dislike the navy blue pin stripes, and it only intensified when Alex Rodriguez joined the team.
Before the 2004 World Series, I adopted Boston as a second team of sorts. I wanted to see the Yankees fail, and to do so against the Red Sox would make the wound deeper, I thought.
As I matured, and after the Red Sox actually won, I realized my feelings were misplaced. The Yankees are one of the great symbols of the sport, a champion more often than many other franchises combined. Nowadays, the Yankees’ spending habits are no worse, at least not by much than the Red Sox. My disdain first turned to apathy. Why hate for the sake of greatness? It then turned into respect.
Although I do not care much if the Yankees win or lose, I know they make things more interesting because of where they’ve been. The Braves are just one example of many fallen opponents.
