Yankees-Red-Sux
The texts starting coming in around 9 p.m. on Saturday.
"How the Yankees doing?"
At that time the score was Boston 8 and New York 0. The Red Sux had runners on base as well.
"I'm not paying attention," I answered. "Are they playing tonight?"
"Yes. Yes they are. Boston is going to score 20."
I didn't much feel like reminding my buddy that the Yankees had pummeled the Red Sux on Friday, but I did remind him that it was a best 2 of 3 series and that Sevy was pitching on Sunday.
"Yanks win tomorrow night, and I don't hear from you," I texted.
"We'll see! Appears to me that you just might eat those words."
Silly, silly man.
The Yankees won 11-1 on Sunday night. They hit 6 homers.
And yet, two of three wasn't quite enough for me. When I woke on Sunday morning there were five Red Sux related texts from the Saturday night beating.
And I had to answer all of those, didn't I?
Back in 1988, I had a friendly bet with a Red Sux fan, Joe, from Connecticut. We would bet $50 on the winner of a series. We were both making good money as union guys on a big job, so the bet was highly discussed and hurt if you lost.
I lost a series in June.
I gave him the crisp $50 bill.
In July he invited me to dinner and his wife and kids greeted me at the door...
...all dressed in Red Sux garb.
I almost got back in my car and headed home.
Instead, I went into their house to take the beating, and I was immediately hauled into the Red Sux room.
He showed me all his favorite memorabilia. There was signed Boggs jersey. He had a plaque celebrating their 1986 AL Championship.
"1918 was a long time ago," I mentioned.
"This is my favorite piece," Joe said.
He was pointing up at a frame which held...
...my formerly owned $50 bill.
"What is wrong with you?" I asked.
He laughed.
I can still see him laughing.
Later that summer we went to Yankee Stadium for a battle.
In the 5th inning of a scoreless game I went to the concession stand to grab us two hot dogs apiece. When I was in line Dewey Evans of the Sux hit a two-run-homer off of Tommy John.
I returned to the seats with 4 dogs and a couple of beers.
"Did you happen to watch the game while you were waiting?" Joe asked.
"I watched it," I said.
"Did you enjoy it?" Joe asked.
"Not as much as you're going to enjoy watching me eat 4 dogs and drink two beers," I said.
I honestly didn't give him one!
I sat there, forcing down the hot dogs, and the beer, as he laughed harder and harder as I gagged them down.
Ah, the rivalry.
Except it ain't really a rivalry, is it, Joe?
Twenty-seven titles to eight...
...not exactly close!
(I wonder if Joe still has that fifty).
"How the Yankees doing?"
At that time the score was Boston 8 and New York 0. The Red Sux had runners on base as well.
"I'm not paying attention," I answered. "Are they playing tonight?"
"Yes. Yes they are. Boston is going to score 20."
I didn't much feel like reminding my buddy that the Yankees had pummeled the Red Sux on Friday, but I did remind him that it was a best 2 of 3 series and that Sevy was pitching on Sunday.
"Yanks win tomorrow night, and I don't hear from you," I texted.
"We'll see! Appears to me that you just might eat those words."
Silly, silly man.
The Yankees won 11-1 on Sunday night. They hit 6 homers.
And yet, two of three wasn't quite enough for me. When I woke on Sunday morning there were five Red Sux related texts from the Saturday night beating.
And I had to answer all of those, didn't I?
Back in 1988, I had a friendly bet with a Red Sux fan, Joe, from Connecticut. We would bet $50 on the winner of a series. We were both making good money as union guys on a big job, so the bet was highly discussed and hurt if you lost.
I lost a series in June.
I gave him the crisp $50 bill.
In July he invited me to dinner and his wife and kids greeted me at the door...
...all dressed in Red Sux garb.
I almost got back in my car and headed home.
Instead, I went into their house to take the beating, and I was immediately hauled into the Red Sux room.
He showed me all his favorite memorabilia. There was signed Boggs jersey. He had a plaque celebrating their 1986 AL Championship.
"1918 was a long time ago," I mentioned.
"This is my favorite piece," Joe said.
He was pointing up at a frame which held...
...my formerly owned $50 bill.
"What is wrong with you?" I asked.
He laughed.
I can still see him laughing.
Later that summer we went to Yankee Stadium for a battle.
In the 5th inning of a scoreless game I went to the concession stand to grab us two hot dogs apiece. When I was in line Dewey Evans of the Sux hit a two-run-homer off of Tommy John.
I returned to the seats with 4 dogs and a couple of beers.
"Did you happen to watch the game while you were waiting?" Joe asked.
"I watched it," I said.
"Did you enjoy it?" Joe asked.
"Not as much as you're going to enjoy watching me eat 4 dogs and drink two beers," I said.
I honestly didn't give him one!
I sat there, forcing down the hot dogs, and the beer, as he laughed harder and harder as I gagged them down.
Ah, the rivalry.
Except it ain't really a rivalry, is it, Joe?
Twenty-seven titles to eight...
...not exactly close!
(I wonder if Joe still has that fifty).
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