3:02pm: Lee's agent Darek Braunecker told ESPN's Andrew Marchand, "The story is not an issue to us. Her experience in New York is certainly a non-issue. She enjoys New York as much as anyone enjoys New York."
10:01am: Two years ago, C.C. Sabathia's wife Amber was said to prefer the Giants. Yankees GM Brian Cashman was able to pitch the couple on New York and close the deal on a seven-year, $161MM contract. He may have a tougher task with Cliff Lee's wife Kristen, who did not have a good time at Yankee Stadium during the playoffs. From USA Today's Bob Nightengale:
Perhaps the Rangers' greatest sales pitch simply was having Kristen sit in the visiting family section at Yankee Stadium during the playoffs. She says there were ugly taunts. Obscenities. Cups of beer thrown. Even fans spitting from the section above. "The fans did not do good things in my heart," Kristen says. "When people are staring at you, and saying horrible things, it's hard not to take it personal."
It's impossible to say how Kristen Lee's experience will factor into the lefty's decision. As Nightengale notes, Sabathia and A.J. Burnett (and perhaps their wives) are ready to recruit Lee this offseason. Plus, it's unlikely Yankees fans would taunt their own star pitcher's wife.
The Yankees' main selling point, of course, will have to be money and contract years. The Rangers have all the intangibles in their favor, especially the team's World Series appearance and proximity to the Lee family's Little Rock, Arkansas home. We've seen players leave millions on the table before, though the Rangers plan to be aggressive in the bidding.
The classiest fans in professional sports!
I’d like to rank them as the 2nd classiest… Behind the lovely people of Philadelphia
I’ve never seen a Philadelphia fan pretend they’re even slightly superior to other fanbases (In fact, I sat near a delightful pair of Philly fans at a Sox/Mets game a couple years ago, they were a blast). The point of my remark is that you hear crap like this all the time about Yankee fans, but most of them constantly puff out their chests claiming to be the classiest fanbase in sports.
Some Phillies fans do, but not all.
I’ll suppose I’ll defer to you on this one, they’re not in my division. Most Philly fans I’ve run across are borderline proud of their goonish ways.
If you ever go to a Philly game and you are cheering for the other team, don’t wear more than a hat. Your pride isn’t worth your safety. There are some nice and respectful fans out there, but you are talking about a whole stadium ‘boo’ing Santa, it’s not safe to tempt them.
This is such a tired statement. Some 50 years ago a few guys booed a sloppy guy in a Santa Costume. You sound like an typical uneducated fan that keeps passing along the same old story that the lazy media likes to reference. Philly fans are some of the most passionate around. Every city has a few idiots and fans that like to boo no biggie. That in no way should indite an entire city. Off the top of my head I can name incidents that have taken place in cities across the country. Philly is one of the great sport towns.
never been to a Philly game and just basing this on reactions to past players, or some like JD Drew they thought had some rights to own, but Philly fans just let it be known via booing, not vulgarities, throwing things on the field regularly so bad that games had to be stopped and threatened to be forfeited if it did not cease (70-80’s when Boston was in town) or even with their OWN players with raw hot dogs whenever Jackson attempted to play RF.
Sure it was not all the fans that act (ed) like that, but enough did, or still do to some extent and you have to wonder why they never had enough security in place to stop this, or if it was welcome to some extent as another home field advantage thing to them with opposing teams.
The same could be said about every fan base, every where.
The New Yorkers just can’t handle it when it’s their turn in the spot light, clearly.
A good rule of thumb is if you call yourself “classy” you probably aren’t.
At least Philly fans wouldn’t have started leaving the ballpark in the eighth inning of a playoff game with their team only behind 3-0.
Actually the game was 2-0 going into the inning and the fans started leaving when it was 7-0 and more runs came across
Did you happen to catch Game 5 of the ALDS when the score was 5-1. Rays “Fans” were leaving the ballpark after the 8th inning
And did you happen to watch Game 3 of the WS last year which was In Philadelphia? The Yankees I believe were up 8-3 going into the 9th, plenty of Phillies fans were shown leaving the ballpark. I think the final was 8-5, but fans had started to leave
If you think Yankee fans are the only fans who leave ballparks early, you’re crazy
I also went to Fenway for the first time this year. Fans were leaving in the 7th inning when the Yankees were up I think 11-3.
Bullshit I was at that game…and don’t bring the Sox into this conversation Yankee fans are not only not in the same class as Sox fans they aren’t even allowed on school grounds. On multiple occasions yank fans have desecrated their own field bring stoppages to entire ballgames. Never have the fans littered the hollowed grounds of Fenway…NEVER have we thrown batteries at opposing players…and further more any REAL fan who goes to Fenway even if they are wearing pin stripes might get a little friendly banter going…at “the stadium” (not too conceded) I have had beer thrown on been spit on and challenge to 3 fights for wearing my Sox hat to a Yank vs. Sox game….show some class!!
In the 08 ALCS Sox fans left the park half empty when the Rays blew them out. Ya’ll do it just like everyone else.
What are you talking about? lol I was there for that series too….again your wrong…it was a sellout and if you ever been to fenway, you would know what its like to try and leave when its a sellout…it takes forever to get out of there and it did for that entire series.
Didn’t happen to the game I went to, as mentioned, because the seats were emptying by the 7th. I stayed for the final out at the bottom of the 9th. Piece of cake walking out.
Why is it anytime someone says anything negatively about the Yankees, the first thing a Yankee fan does is deflect onto the Red Sox? is there a oath you guys take where that’s a club mandate or something?
“Yankees have highest payroll”
“Oh yeah, well Red Sox are 2nd highest”
“Yankees were leaving in droves on Wednesday”
“Oh yeah, well the game I went to 3 years ago so were the Red Sox fans”
Come on.
Well I think people do it is because our fans and teams are alike. Both have good fans, both have bad fans. Both have history with one another.
And frankly it’s just dumb I think for one fan base to accuse the other of something when your own fans or your own team do the same thing.
There’s no comparison, frankly, because we NEVER spit on the wives of the opposing players, or throw beer upon them, or verbally assault them. Yeah, we can be rowdy with each other … in fact, it wouldn’t be fun if we didn’t at least poke at each other a bit. But to attack the players’ families? That’s just low rent. I’m sure this stupidity just cost the Yanks a chance to sign Lee. Money won’t bring peace to his family, and the Rangers aren’t going to be much behind, dollarwise, from your offer. Brilliant move, with Pettitte probably retiring.
Hey I’m not defending the a-holes who did that. Definitely a bunch of pricks. But don’t go assume that all Yankee fans do that, and Only Yankee fans do that. Because both are untrue.
But yes, it’s just another Yankee fan who’s an a-hole and there are plenty of them.
Hm…..Im a Dodger fan……hate the Yanks. Also hate it when any fan base claims that they never leave games early, cause it’s utter bs. Yep you too Sox fans.
Don’t know what happened to my first comment or if it got posted
First of all Ronnie, I’m talking about the game where Mark Texiera this year hit 3 HR’s in a game against the Sox. The stadium was emptying by the 7th inning, seemed as if only Yankee fans stayed.
2nd, by saying all Red Sox fans are classy (no you didn’t say that quote directly but by saying all Yankee fans are scumbags and Red Sox aren’t compared, that’s total BS), proves you don’t know much. Look at some unbiased reviews from fans on here, non-Yankee and non-Red Sox, I see some saying Fenway fans were by far and away the worst.
2nd, Yankee fans don’t throw batteries either, I didn’t accuse Red Sox fans. It was Philly fans who threw it at Santa (And Twins fans threw them at Chuck Knoblauch as well).
I went to Fenway, actually had a convo with a couple there, but surprise surprise the couple was in their 40’s-50’s. I don’t think you’ll find obnixous 40-50 year olds at ballparks.
Trust me, there are plenty of bad Yankee and Red Sox fans, and plenty of good ones too. Tell me otherwise, and you’re just wrong, sorry to say.
1999 ALCS after that blown call at second there was a lot of trash thrown on the field at Fenway. I can also recall a man urinating in a cup in about 2006 or so because he did not want to get up to use the restroom.
Sox, Yanks, and Phillies fans are all pretty much equally bad I feel like. Mets fans too can be that bad but only when they are having a good season. I grew up in NJ and went to college in CT so I feel like I am pretty familiar with the various fan bases and stadiums.
Agree Tiffs.
I agree. I was in the bleachers in ’99, and beer went sailing over my head onto the outfield grass. But that was directed at the umps, and not opposing players’ families.
What do the Red Sox have to do with any of this? And most stadiums would start to empty out at least a little when you’re down 11-3 in the 7th or 8th inning. You’re not going to get a crowd of all die-hard fans. Casual ones will leave.
Was responding to a Philly fan who laughed at the Yankees leaving the ballpark early when their own team did the same thing in Game 3 in the WS last year. And before I responded to a Red Sox fan who did the same thing. (Not in this section of the topic but another)
And I agree casual ones will leave, so why do the Yankees only get laughed at it seems?
you know what, MB? Keep your comments to yourself. You must be a Yankee fan. It’s not the Sox in the news about Lee’s wife. I guess the article is just pointing out that Yankee fans are helping their own team become the front-runners in the Lee acquisition… that’s all.
dave, why don’t you keep YOUR comments to YOURself. You must be a Red Sox fan. Accusing one fan base of having obnoxious fans (truth) while your own fan base has some of it’s own.
well, it’s the yankee fans that made the headlines, MB.
True but it’s the Yankee haters coming out and calling ALL of NY and Yankee fans pathetic when there are other fan bases around the country who do the same thing.
good point. I concurr. Next time it might be a Sox article on how unruley we get, too. Been to plenty of Sox/Yanks games at Fenway and old NYY stadium. I had a blast each and every time. I love baseball in general. I just don’t like how it’s become big business now.
Yeah I agree, more of a business than a game today it seems. But I’ve said it before and as a fan I don’t like saying it, we make think of baseball as a game, but Major League Baseball = A business
Sorry about the argument before, don’t take anything personal. I’m not a mean guy in any way lol
no offense taken, MB. Our rivalry is perhaps most fueled by our teams own fans. it’s all good, we’re all entitled to voice our opinion. maybe we’ll be see each other in the post season next year. that’s always fun.
Speaking of the postseason, I don’t think it’s been posted here but I could be wrong easily, MLB is thinking of expanding the number of teams in the postseason. I think it’s a pretty good idea IF they reduce the regular season games maybe back to 154 like it was
It’s on ESPN and you’ll see the talk of it there
LOL, any original thoughts on this pal, or do you just care to regurgitate what ESPN tells you over, and over, and over, and over, and over again?
Lee played in Philly, I don’t remember his wife saying these things about any other fan base before this. Why is that?
If you ever been to a Yankees game which your most likely have not, will know 97% of the fans at the games do not take part in such disgushting behavior. All fan bases have these morons some more than others.
On the flip side, 97% of the Yankees fans who show up in droves at the Ballpark in Arlington do take part in that disgusting behavior. It’s wierd because none of the other teams’ fans act like that in somebody else’s ballpark.
I was at the Game 6 clincher last Friday, and the Yankee fans around us certainly did their share of smack talking. HOWEVER, when the Rangers seemed to have the game closed out after the 8th, the Yankee fans left and shook hands with the guys they had been jawing with, all in good fun.
As a season ticket holder, I’ve seen all the opposing fans come out to the Ballpark, and both the BoSox fans and the Yankee fans are the most boisterous. It 100% depends on the fan’s personality if the fan is going to show “disgusting behavior.” I don’t like the Yankees, and have had some not good opinions about some of their fans, but to say no other teams’ fan act like that in opposing ballparks just isn’t true.
True. My statment was more of a generalization/rounding than an absolute. There’s always the exception.
97% huh??? having been to every Sox Vs. Yanks game in the Brox over the last 3 yrs. I would have to say your over shooting by a ton! and I have herd from other friends that are fans of the Phills, Mets, and Royals and they have all had similar experiences as this Red Sox fan!
Been saying the same thing for years. The only problem, the wife of the ace pitcher your team was courting was exposed to the 3%. Still there’s a difference being the ace of the team beating the yanks and the ace of the yanks. If Lee signs with the yanks then suddenly the ones cursing Lee will have amnesia.
for me its simple keep the wives and family out of it…its not the first time skank fans have done this either…if I were Lee I would say the hell with NY!
“She enjoys New York as much as anyone enjoys New York.”
translation:
“She enjoys New York as much as she enjoys jumping into an pool full of filthy hypodermic needles.”
or…
“she enjoys New York as much as rolling down a hill laden with schards of glass and then jumping into a pool of hydrogen peroxide.”
This is very true. But the 3%-5% of teams’ fans just give the remainder a bad name. I think this is disasterous for your pitching staff, because with Pettitte retiring, and Lee’s wife telling him not to sign in NY at any price, your team is definitely going to suffer for this.
Phew, good thing we got this comment out of the way first…
Oh yeah! For years Yankees fans have come to Shea/Citi Field not to watch a game but to actually run around the stadium beating their chests and proclaiming their “superiority.” I’m talking days when the Yanks aren’t even playing the Mets! What kind of “classy” fan does that?
We had this same problem here in Texas…right up untill we swept their yankee butts during that series in the regular season. I personally puched out a Yankee fan for butting their big stupid flag on the outfield railing. A crowd of Yankee fans booed me and came over to join the party……untill about 20 or so Rangers fans steped up and punked them out. All the yankee fans then proceed to remind us how many championships they had won…..BUT THEY DON’T GET ONE THIS YEAR!!! I also found it amaizong how many Yankee fans were talking a boat load of trash before the game, yet scatted like roaches before that game ended. Thank you, Nelson Cruz.
All the yankee fans then proceed to remind us how many championships they had won….I also found it amaizong how many Yankee fans were talking a boat load of trash before the game, yet scatted like roaches before that game ended.
Dude, that’s like a typical encounter with a Yankee fan at the Mets ballpark when the Yankees AREN’T visiting. A lot of Yanks fans just show up so they can brag and heckle. I never understood the need for that crap. Why not just enjoy the game?
Thank you, Nelson Cruz.
Yeah, Nelly is the MAN! š
If anything the Met’s should be heckling the Yanks. You guys get Seinfield, the Yanks got Kostanza (I hope I spelled that right). End of story right there.
Well they try to do the same thing in Fenway….Just doesn’t work!
Kristen, have you been living under a rock? Everyone knows that Skanks fans are some of the most vile and repulsive vermin to walk the earth. They think nothing of spitting on you or anyone else. If you had collapsed, they would have cheered with glee.
Hopefully you and Cliff will have the good sense to stay away from that hell hole.
Yeah really.
I agree with her.
I got heckled last wearing my Texas stuff more than any fan in Baseball History ever was.
They make Man Utd and Phillies fans look civil.
Sit in the Bleachers, it gets worse…
I’m sure 160 million for her husband will override her moral standing.
I think it’s more moral outrage than standing. That said, $160 million dollars would make me forget someone throwing a beer at me right quick.
Yeah, considering Lee pitched for team where a fat slob vomited on a 10 year old girl intentionally. Further, I’ve been to a ton of Yank games and Yankee fans are some of the most cordial in the sport. I call bs on this one. I went to a Yankee game at Fenway two years ago. People were vomiting all over the place, kids heckling people in cars are they drove by the stadium and so on…The ultimate college just let out for the summer feeling.
What are you calling bs on? That she said those things about her experience?
I seem to recall this same individual refusing to believe people could have conceivably insulted Papelbon’s pregnant wife during the 2008 All Star Game ceremonies. He lives in his own “Yankee fans are above it all” world.
Yes, Tim. I just don’t agree with these statements and the reporting by Bob Nightengale. Look we can all argue about players all we want, who’s better, who’s not, who’s overpaid, which team is ruining the sport. It’s the competitive nature of the game I suppose, but I know this much for sure, having been to countless games, I’ve never had as much as a peanut shell thrown at me, so I don’t believe there is any basis to Kristen Lee’s comments. Yankee fans have a voracious appetite for winning, but classless, absolutely not. In fact echoing Obsessions sarcasim, Yankee fans are some of the classiest in the game.
Just to play devils advocate, why would they throw peanuts at you? Did you have an opponents jersey on, sitting in a section of opponents fan base, in the playoffs?
Doubtful.
You don’t know what went down or not. could have been a few college guys that got drunk and went to town.
“having been to countless games, I’ve never had as much as a peanut shell thrown at me”
How many Yankee games have you showed up to rooting for the opponent?
“In fact echoing Obsessions sarcasim, Yankee fans are some of the classiest in the game. ”
No, they really aren’t. They’re easily bottom five (And yes, I’d throw my own rooting interests fanbase in that list as well). I’d put Cardinals and Twins fans up on top, by and large.
So she made that stuff up for some reason, that’s a bold assertion.
I can see the logic in her making it up, as in now you tack on an extra 15 million and an extra year just to make sure he makes more than CC, what a loving wife.
That makes sense. Just because the fans didn’t berate you with beer, peanuts, jeers, there is no reason why they would be hostile to wives of opposing teams.
I’ve been to a few Yankee games. Wearing my Angels hat. I didn’t get HER treatment but the fans were a little less than cordial. Let’s just say it wasn’t a great family experience. Been to other games with Angel gear and wasn’t treated like that.
I second that experience, only with Tigers garb. I’d gone about five feet into Yankee Stadium before I heard, “Go back to Detroit!,” which was the nicest thing I heard from Yankees fans that night. I couldn’t care less about that stuff, but for Yankees fans to say it never happens — or that rude treatment is unusual for visitors — is absurd.
If that were true there would be reports about Bob Nightengale having a law suit filed against him for libel.
Do you ever listen to the Baseball Prospectus podcasts with Kevin Goldstein and Jason Parks? Jason Parks was at the Yankees games and he was reporting this exact story from personal experience. He saw the things that were happening to Cliff Lee’s wife and all the other wives of the Rangers. When I saw this update by this site, I thought they were reporting old news because it registered with me last week. And he was reporting his own story of beer being soaked on him as well by Yankees fans. I understand personal experience of seeing things and believing it is the norm, but now you have multiple sources to consider.
A few cents to add to this debate. I don’t doubt what Kristin Lee is saying, but I find the timing of her complaint a bit interesting. I’m certain this was not her first visit to Yankees Stadium, her husband pitched for the Indians and last year for the Phils, so she’s been there before. She never complained about any kind of problem before, so I’m wondering . Does that mean nothing ever happened before or did she just decide to make a statement this time around with her husband being a FA at season’s end?
Not to make excuses for the morons involved, but she was sitting in a section that, does not seat ‘regulars’. Those seats most often go to corporate types and people that only go to post season games and are not relective of most Yankees fans. Many of these ‘people’ show up to these games not to root, but to become part of the game, and think that it’s ok to harass the opposition. All Yankees fans should not be lumped in with these creeps. To be fair, I’m sure this goes on in other places as well. I’m surprised that she didn’t call security, I’m sure she’s familiar with that option. I won’t make the bombastic proclamation that the Yankees security in the best in MLB, but if she had made a call to security it would be resolved quickly. As it is, it just sounds just bit disingenuous, coming when it does.
And I had a great time at Fenway when I went this year. I think its a situation of getting a bad night, a bad crowd, etc. When I went there was minimal heckling or unpleasant behavior; the worst people in my section were the two Blue Jays fans screaming at the top of their lungs as Toronto beat up on us š But mostly it was a really mild crowd. Situations like this suck, but are not the norm, simply the exception.
Have you seen his wife? I think he would be scared of her if he goes against her.
Well that can be said for any married man… but I’m sure when they throw that much money at the family she will be up there taunting, throwing beer and spitting with the best of em.
Except where civilized human beings are offering $150MM, and they can afford to tell the neaderthals to shove it, which they will.
I’d love to see him spurn the Yankees. It would do my heart good.
If he rejects them that maybe a bless for the Yanks. That big of a commitment (in dollars and length of contract) to a player that takes the field every 5th is risky. Sabathia is already a horse and has delivered for the most part but Lee is already going to be 33 next season. You can make the case that pitchers like Burnett, Beckett, Johann Santana, Josh Johnson & Lowe aren’t worth the same kind of commitment.
Seconded. For all the people saying “suck it Yankee,” I have been saying for months I think them signing him long term is a bad idea.
yeah because Josh Johnson is old
how ironic that 28 people liked this
blah blah blah. money talks, (you know what) walks.
But it doesn’t offend Mrs. Lee when Texas Ranger fans seranade “Yankees Suck” throughout the playoffs. I call that a double standard.
You don’t see a difference between yelling something at the players on the field and screaming curse words, personal attacks, spitting, and throwing beer at someone in the stands?
I don’t believe that happened because the Yankees security is the best in baseball.
Is Mrs. Lee a liar….I guess you can say yes to that.
As you’ve surely been to all thirty stadiums and have intensely scrutinized their security, I’m sure you’re right that “Yankees security is the best in baseball.”
So you have never seen anyone throw beer or spit in yankee stadium and then get thrown out? If you haven’t I would say you haven’t been to very many games. I have seen this a few times in St. Louis, Chicago, and this year when my Cardinals were in Cincy. It happens. It’s not a reflection of the whole fanbase, people get drunk and do stupid things. For you to garauntee it didn’t happen when a lady is saying it did is childish.
Exactly. So her being all pissy about it happening to her in New York is just naive. Fans everywhere are rude to anyone who supports the opposing team. It’s kinda hard to believe though especially the way it was written. It makes Yankee stadium sound like Citizens Bank park. Meh. I wonder if this will start a trend in which other sports wives like all wives make a big deal out of nothing.
Care to pass judgment on others that you’ve never met based on incidents you did not attend because they aren’t congruent with your fandom?
I really hope you aren’t indicative of the typical Yankee fan, because you’re setting a hell of an example.
I’m commenting on what I have seen. Ignorance what fan base do you conform to. The sisters of the poor?
So this photo from one of the players wives is a lie?
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=449439179603&set=…
Misty May-Treanor is a professional beach volleyball player and the backup C for Texas wife… All of the players family sat in section 226 on the 3B side. This is actually a common complaint from visiting players families and regardless of how hard security tries it is very hard to make anyone accountable from the 2nd deck.
The Kennedy photos are clearer then those….LMAO
You’re embarrassing yourself.
Not really Bunk….I can’t tell what they are doing….You can!
I love when people make claims like “Yankees security is the best in baseball.” How would you possibly know that? Are you a security consultant for MLB? Have you closely examined the procedures of the Brewers, Royals or any other random team? I doesn’t make sense for Cliff Lee’s wife to make up a story like this.
We all know that the Royals have the best security contingent in baseball. They don’t even let the fans in through the gates!
I totally disagree. Five teams averaged less fans than the Royals. 5 – Toronto. 4 – Pittsburgh. 3 – Florida. 2 – Oakland. 1 and best security – Cleveland.
toronto doesn’t count because they lost like 4 or 5(maybe more) home games because of the G-20 summit.
Those games counted for jays attendance figures. and we’re 40,000+ each game.
You’re right she is costing her husband money if the Yankees aren’t contenders for his services.
So… Misty May’s facebook page where she posts PICTURES OF THE YANKEE FANS DOING IT… she’s lying too?
Check yourself in or the men in white coats will be coming for you.
Telling the truth isn’t a bad thing, the yankees team sucked and the fans are borderline mental patients……..enjoy watching the series and tell more about “Last Year”
Well if the Yankees suck, I guess the only AL team that doesn’t then is the Rangers. Since they were the final 2 teams of the AL. Therefore chanting Red Sox, Blue Jays, Royals, Orioles, Twins, Rays, White Sox, Tigers, Indians, A’s, Angels and Mariners Suck is just as clever.
Yeah right…they suck and last year…Who won last year? lmao
It’s totally different. We’re saying the Yankees suck….not the Yankee’s Wives suck.
I would love to see the Yankee fans be the one’s to shoot themselves in the foot with this one. Please stay in Texas Cliff Lee
Oh please Cliff….Please….Please…Please stay…I’ll do anything!
So let me get this straight, the same security at Yankee Stadium that wouldn’t allow Bald Vinny and the bleacher creatures to chant “BOX SEATS SUCK” allowed fans to taunt, throw beer, and spit on Mrs. Lee? If she didn’t feel comfortable, she could talk to security who a) would have thrown out the offending fans in a heartbeat or b) moved her to suite or someplace better. Anyone who was at the games during the ALCS knew how tight and overbearing security was those days.
Texas fans weren’t exactly angels in the series, either. Sorry, but something about this just doesn’t add up. But if it’s true then by all means, if the Lees want to pass up millions of dollars not to come to New York then more power to them.
I’m in agreement. Something just doesn’t add up about this.
“b) moved her to suite or someplace better”
yes because im sure yankee stadium had all sorts of open suites and box seats because they dont sell out at all….
So the fact one of the players wives has a picture of 3 NYY fans spitting off the 2nd deck onto them is a complete fabrication? This is actually a pretty standard complaint from visiting player’s families.
It is extremely hard to police that type of behavior when the opposing players family sit in section 226 directly underneath the upper decks on the 3B side. Very hard to catch it when no one knows who did it from the deck above.
Go to Misty May-Treanor, professional beach volleyball player and wife of the Rangers backup C, facebook page if you want to see the picture…
No. It’s the same stadium that has allowed “why are you gay” song to be sung in the bleachers. Google search Yankee why are you gay and you will see this.
Totally. That’s a much worse song than “Box Seats Suck.” And, it didn’t get stopped until it caught on and got criticized in the media.
Wow. Well you remember how Tex’s wife pushed the “New York” button b/c it had better shopping?
Texas will offer enough. Lee stays in Texas.
As an Angels fan, I hope Texas backs up the Brink’s truck to sign Alex Rod… uh, Cliff Lee.
I think he stays in Texas regardless. If the Yankees won the ALCS, MAYBE it’s a different story, but I think he will stay.
Texeira’s wife had no second thoughts. Texeira had second thoughts about Boston however.
Let’s see, 160 million to live amongst the vilest fans in baseball or 150 million to live in a place that you really like?
Yeah, tough decision.
People like you call Yankee fans “vile” have likely:
1) Never been to New York or Yankee Stadium
2) Have no idea how quickly unruly fans get thrown out of Yankee Stadium (even season ticket holders, as I’ve seen)
3) Have moral standards that are not met by any fans in any sport, let alone the Yankees
Also, not liking the fans != not liking New York. But hey, don’t let facts get in the way of your narrative.
I hate the yankees…but your post is dead on. all points.
Facts? What facts? All 3 of your points are opinions that you are trying to spin as facts I’m not trying to say their isn’t truth in them or anything, but don’t try selling it for what they aren’t
I love New York but the fans are obnoxious. I have been to all NY stadiums, old and new and have been treated poorly and crudely when cheering for another team (politely I might add) and the supposedly best security in baseball was nowhere to be seen
Where is this best security in baseball really? I even saw a security guard in the stands not doing his job, but made a hell of a catch with his barehands to grab a homerun ball. Who is saying this?
5 people mean that every Yankees fan is vile? seems kind of like an ignorant statement, I guess the team you root for has the most ignorant fans in baseball based on your amazing logic. Listen, every team has crazy people, and I’ve had friends who’ve had beer dumped on them at Fenway, and security kicked my friends out. I also know Red Sox fans who actually don’t dump beer on people, and actually show respect, so um before you make broad baseless statements look at yourself seems like you’re revealing more about yourself here, than Yankees fans
I haven’t been to Yankee stadium in a long time so I could be wrong about this but I find it hard to believe that Yankee stadium is worse than citizens bank park. I’ve went to 4 games there last year and I was almost in fear for my life!!! Plus, any stadium that builds the opponents bullpen right next to a fans walkway just so they can get get taunted easily is a loser in my book. The Phillies bullpen is alot harder to get a good look at!!!
Let’s say the auction starts and the Bankees offer, oh, $150M for six years. The Rangers could offer somewhat less, maybe 5% or so, and get their man just because of the absence of a state income tax in Texas.
Somebody who knows what the rate is in NY for state income tax for top earners let us know. If it’s 8%, the net savings is somewhat less because it’s a federal deduction, although taxpayers with that earning level lose their Schedule A deductions quickly. Basically top earner athletes are tax paying machines, funnels of cash into public treasuries. They pay federal tax, state income tax in the state where they earn their pay, AND municipal income tax in every city they play in that has such a tax. The net rate is roughly 50% when all is said and done, so never complain about an athlete’s exorbitant salary.
Texas is one of eight or so states with no state income tax. Others include Florida, Nevada, Tennessee and New Hampshire. The Rangers have more than one edge here…we Yankee haters can hope the 2011 model ages before our eyes.
Not sure what the rate is but even if he lives in Connecticut (alot of NY players do) or even New jersey, cost of living, income tax and property tax is rediculous compared to some of the southern states. Mike Francesa on YES estimated Texas has a $40M advantage over New York because of the above. The article in USA Today pretty much says they’re comfortable in Texas with family close. Even if Yankees offer $160-170M over 6 years, there’s no guarantee Lee takes it.
Its 8.97 for new york state, within new york city I’m pretty sure theres an extra 3.5 for local taxes…
last i checked.
You’re right that the lack of state income tax gives Texas something to sell. The Yankees have things to sell too, mainly the endorsement deals that come with playing in the largest media market in the country (CC can attest to this pretty easily with all the commercials he’s been in since coming to NYC).
Speaking of CC, don’t forget he was apprehensive about coming to the city too, now he lives in an upscale neighborhood in New Jersey and was set up with a charter to fly home whenever he wants. Don’t underestimate what the Yankees will do to making accepting their buckets of money easier.
Most of the investers who bought the Rangers are local and state buisnessmen who could throw down on some endorsements too. Probably not on the level of the media machine that New York could do, but enough to make things interesting.
It isn’t as simple as which state you live in. MLB players pay taxes for where the games are played. Lee would pay taxes for 82 games played Texas/NY/whereever his team is then pay taxes in the states where the other 82 games are played. I’m not sure how it works with the Blue Jays.
I’m pretty sure thats not true.
completely correct…
So Lee would pay approximately half of the 10% tax due to the home away schedule plus whatever taxes he would pay in other cities that carry a jock tax. So a 150M deal would effectively be changed by approximately 7.5M by having home games in Texas (actually more due to playing the Astros in Inter-league every year).
Not a huge difference, but enough to be a valid point in negotiations. Lets also not forget that DFW is a top 5 media market and is nowhere near as a saturated by professional athletes (local and otherwise) as NYC as far as marketing is concerned. Lee will get the national sponsorships regardless due to his name recognition, but the local and regional marketing opportunities are what pads the bottom line of an athlete. Combine that with Lee’s more country demeanor and it would be easy to see why from a marketing standpoint a team in the south or southwest may be a more lucrative area for Lee than NYC.
I have been to Yankee Stadium, Fenway, Camden Yards and Citizens Bank….By far Fenway has the most disgusting fans in baseball. The labels Philadelphia and New York have are made up by stupid fans who don’t know better and vengeful media who wish they worked in those towns.
I’ve been to a couple games at Fenway as well and several other parks(old yankees stadium, AT&T, busch I and II, wrigley, Great American) and I have to say, Fenway was definitly the worst. Philly was a close second
Where do you get your tin foil hats?
From you
Touche!
Your comment should be titled, Hey I want to start a flame war.
Seriously. Is today “Teacher’s Workshop” day?
Trust me when I say you don’t want me to talk about the last time I was in yankee stadium. The really funny thing is despite having things thrown at me, getting heckled by fans, and hearing some pretty nasty comments about my gf… I know that was just a group of morons. Or the really funny part was it wasn’t a yanks/Red Sox game… I was there rooting for the Blue Jays.
I don’t know, it feels like a negotiating tactic to me. There’s probably some truth to it but I would guess it’s somewhat exaggerated. Remember all the talk leading up to Sabathia’s free agency about how he wanted to pitch in California, there hasn’t been as much talk about Lee ostensibly not wanting to play in NY. I would guess it’s a little thing, blown out of proportion in order let the Yankees know they aren’t getting off cheap. If Lee signs in NY I’ll believe I’m right about this, if he signs somewhere else I’ll be open to changing my mind.
it is my sincere hope that as a Yankee fan Cliff Lee and his wife stay far away from the Yankees. I would prefer to see the Yankees even struggle for a couple of seasons to build up a young core once againThey already have Cano, Hughes needs to develop his secondary pitches this offseason.Jesus Montero by all accounts will hit for power at the big league level if the Yankees don’t muck up his development. How long can they keep trying to squeeze quality seasons out of Jeter, Posada, Rivera, Pettitte. Isn’t it time they acknowledge the team needs an infusion of young talent. I was beyond disgusted hearing some fellow Yankee fans after the ALCS, not only do they want Lee, but some suggest trade Granderson and Swisher and sign Crawford and Werth. Ugh!I wish someone would give the memo to Cashman that this team needs to get YOUNGERwe have a 40 year old catcher, 40 year old closer, albeit effective still and a 36 year old SSWhat is wrong with that picture. Sheesh. No Cliff Lee please, just another long term contract that limits the team for years to come.
So if you were the GM of the Yankees you would… what? Tell Jeter thanks for the memories? Release Posada and A-rod?
And did you really just act like Rivera didn’t have a quality season? Who cares how old he is, Mariano is not a mortal man.
Also, Cliff Lee will get a maximum 5-6 year deal, and he’s the type of pitcher (command and control, like Maddux/Mussina/Pettitte) who age better than most.
Those who don’t learn from mistakes are doomed to repeat it.
Posada is 40 and trying to catch MLB games, he played less than half the games this season at the catcher position
I clearly mentioned Rivera albeit 40 is still effective in my post. The Yankees however do have to prep themselves for any Rivera decline or injury, given his age. So that they aren’t left in a stupor if he gets hurt eventually.
Jeter is at an age when most offensive SS decline. We need look no further than this season. He had a better post season, but his regular season was a definite decline and why will that not continue as he gets older. Its only natural
They have no choice with the Arod contract, it is what it is because they signed him to it and are now locked in until he is 41
My main point stands the team needs to get Younger, it cannot continue at this rate or before we know it they will be an old, declined team with a bunch of mediocre players taking over, because they never properly prepared for the aftermath.
Lets hope Montero is the real deal and can take over for Posada on offense at least for years to come
Lets hope Hughes develops his offspeed pitches and improves next season
Lets hope Nunez and Nova are players that will contribute for seasons to come.
The team needs to get younger and any Yankee fan not acknowledging that is ignoring the situation.
Teams get old. It happens. The only places they can actually upgrade (the OF) is manned by people who are under 30 years old. Unless you want to ditch Jeter (won’t happen) they’re not getting younger any time soon. Posada is a non-issue, he’s gone after 2011.
For all your talk about the age of the Yankees, in 2012 by default they’ll be young at 6 of the 8 positions on the diamond. I think you’re overreacting just a bit, their average age was older in 2009 than it was in 2010, and they managed to win a World Series didn’t they?
I was moreso examing the core of the team that the Yankees success has thrived off of for years.
That is where the focus of getting younger was.
Certainly having a Cano, Montero, Hughes as he continues to develop can help that issue out.
We will see what happens, I just can’t take anymore of these long term contracts that lock in players. I’m already sickened with the A.J. Burnett deal, he has been mediocre last season to very poor this season since signing and we have him for 3 more seasons.
How old are Teixeira, Swisher, Granderson, Gardner, Hughes, Sabathia, Nunez, Nova, Chamberlain and Logan. Answer 30 or less!!!!
I hope you’re not pinning your hopes of #28 on Joba and Logan. LOL
Any Yankee fan ignoring the situation is either paying attention to the Jets/Giants season or just screaming “Get Werth! Get Crawford! Get Lee!”.
As a Sox fan, I do have respect for Jeter, Rivera and Posada and think it’s fitting they finish their careers in pinstripes. Something about seeing Jeter in a Brewers uniform doesn’t feel right hahaThat said, the Yankees are in a difficult position to transition to new talent. Your sentiment is exactly what alot of Yankee fans will want: keep Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Petitte until they hang it up in 3-4 years. Of the 4, Rivera is the only one playing at a high level. Jeter had a great 2009 but had his worst OPS in his career in 2010. There’s talk of Jeter being transitioned to LF to make room for Nunez. Posada batted .248 and has given way to Cervelli. Petitte had a great season when healthy but only started 21 games. He may even retire (I think he comes back). Even A-Rod has lost a bit. He hasn’t been very durable over the last 3 years (avg 133 games played). Do they stay loyal to these guys at the sake of the team? I think (assume) the Yankees show loyality to them for what they’ve done in the past. They were the building blocks of the team transformation. At what point do they move on?Yes, Lee will be pitching until 37-38 at the end of this contract, but his level of play now is certainly not an indication of how he’ll be at the end of his career, no matter how good he is now.It’s a tricky road going forward over the next 2-3 years.
Macfan, I get what you’re saying but really, does it matter if the Yankees win with a young team or an old team? They just advanced to the ALCS with the current crop of players are are talking about adding the best pitcher on the market this winter. Sure, those players are going to be a year older next year but I don’t see any reason why they still couldn’t win. When the time comes to rebuild with youth they’ll know because they won’t make it to the ALCS, or the playoffs at all and the old players will collapse, right now it just doesn’t look that way though. Give them another year or two. Besides, it’s not that easy to rebuild a championship caliber team with young players, you can’t just wish it to happen. Right now Cliff Lee is the best alternative for adding talent to the organization and it’s only going to cost the Yankees (if they get him) something they have plenty of, money. Seems like the thing to do to me.
Cral Crawford is the same age Granderson and Werth is only a year older than Swisher and if Granderson and Swisher were traded don’t you think it would be to bring in younger talent in the positions where the team is aging…
There’s almost no need. I feel the Yankees are gonna progress their farm in the next couple of seasons, and we already have a prospect with alot of tools and raw talent in Heathcott, and remember, the Yanks also signed this Dominican OF who is projected a 5-tool player.
Same here. I think this team needs to build for the future, and not saying they can’t compete next year, but they’re stars are getting older. This team needs to see new, young, fresh faces instead of old ones that cost $100M, and not just because of the sake of it, this team is really getting old. And I stopped paying attention to bandwagon Yankee fans along time ago. From Lincecum, to Mauer, to Lee, Ive stopped caring.
I have figured out why Lebron likes the Yankees. “we are the classiest fans in baseball” I like how people can just tag themselves with labels these days. Lebron is the “King”
I would love to know what is the deal with folks taking offense to Lebron being a “FREE AGENT” and going where he was free to.
Lebron is not some thug, problem player, or troublemaker.
The guy did what he felt was best for him as a free agent.
People need to give it a rest by now. It is disgusting how some folks have gone on about this guy like he is some drug tainted, wife beating, contract holdout, sext messaging athlete.
Lebron was free to go wherever he wanted, he could have gone to Russia or Greece if he so desired, he chose Miami.
Sheesh.
How in any way did my comment have anything to do with “The Decision”?
Well clearly you were making a cynical remark about Lebron James being referenced as “The King”
Wonder if you would have felt that way about his label prior to his decision to leave Cleveland, after all the Cleveland fans didn’t start calling him Queen James until he left.
Never been a Lebron fan, and never been a Cleveland fan. It was a comment about people proclaiming themselves “the classiest fans in baseball” as Lebron calls himself “the King” nothing to do with free agency
Francesa’s estimate of a $40M Texas advantage is interesting.
Another advantage is no six hour flights. NY’s division rivals are all within one hour by air while Texas is in the AL West and has long flights to Seattle, Oakland and LA. But they can get back to DFW from anywhere in 3-4 hours, while the east coast teams spend more time in those tubes. It adds up…all things being equal Texas is an ideal central location.
Finally, it just so happens this gentleman is a native of the state next door, Arkansas. When you think about it, if he signs with the Bronx Zoo he deserves what he gets…it will demonstrate beyond doubt he’s a craven mercenary (unless Texas does not make a competitive offer).
Stay home, Cliff. Revive the local baseball franchise. Pay less tax. Go to NY only to visit.
Well if your gonna calculate in the extra airtime it takes for people o travel to Oakland,Seattle,etc-than shouldn’t you also take into account the outrageous traffic in northeast metro area that almost puts thing back at equilibrium, if not favor Texas?
However, Texas plays those division rivals multiple times a year while the Yankees will only go out west to each teams city once. Add it up and I’d bet Texas spends more time in the air than NY.
A six hour road trip is a non-issue. Players shouldn’t have any problem with it, they do it as a team all year round. If you hate traveling long distances for long periods of time, what are you doing as a baseball player then?
Tampa Bay is not a 1 hour flight away from NY.
I’m not doubting Mrs. Lee’s claims – but just to be really cynical for a moment…
This wouldn’t be a bad negotiating tactic to get NYY to throw in a few extra perks to the Lee family to get him to sign.
For those of you calling “BS” on this one, are you Yankees fans? What the hell motivation would she have for making up a story like this?
You always hear people throwing blanket statements out like “This just doesn’t add up.” when they really mean to say, “I don’t like this information so I’m going to reject it.”
Really? You can’t even conceivably imagine an opposing team’s fan was treated poorly in a playoff game?
It’s not that. It’s because we live in the area or went to the game and saw how ridiculously overbearing the stadium security was during the entire ALCS. They threatened to throw out anyone who cursed or taunted fans. It doesn’t make any sense that an area housing the families of the opposing teams would have zero security around it.
Also, your argument works both ways. You can’t conceive a situation where she might have exaggerated her situation as a negotiating tactic? “Well, Mr. Cashman, my wife doesn’t like New York, but maybe if you made it worth our while…”
Well I guess that eliminates the Dodgers too
Bring your family on down to D.C…much classier fans(for the few that show up to games)
Great neighborhood too…
Or play for the Rays. No fans means no bad behavior.
LOL, great post
I dunno, i went last year on senior citizen night.. things got pretty roudy
I actually heard about a story that says Cliff Lee will sign with the Rangers REGARDLESS of money if they win the World Series. Not so sure how true that is but it makes perfect sense to me. Some guys do have morals and realize that they will make a perfectly acceptable amount of money someplace where they would rather play. Look at Joe Mauer, he would have made a fortune signing with the Yankees but he preferred his home town and his home fans but still got quite a bit of money. It’s something that most Yankee fans just refuse to believe but it’s not ALWAYS about money.
I swear the comments here must be referring to some alternate reality version of Yankee Stadium. I would expect some teasing if I were a visiting fan, but I’d also feel not the least bit afraid in any part of that stadium. I’m even good-natured to Red Sox fans. I would feel terrified as a Yankee fan entering Fenway Park. As usual, people throw stones, but what other franchise now has a policy making homophobic comments an automatic ejection? The Yankees do. This is an early negotiating ploy and nothing else.
Well you know it doesn’t take much to run with a Yankee story.
Whatever the context.
OMG, Jeter is getting married
OMG, Arod dated Kate Hudson
š
Doesn’t take much at all.
#1) I don’t think Mrs. Lee is naive enough to believe that all of Yankee Stadium is filled with losers who would do such a thing AND that other stadiums don’t have morons as well. I’m sure she saw such behavior in Philly. It is regrettable but it IS a sports venue where people get emotional, drunk and often both.
#2) It has been mentioned that she and CC Sabathia’s wife are close friends. I’m sure if Mrs. Lee is concerned about her safety or how things are at the games, she can ask Mrs. Sabathia. Women talk and I’m sure the wives of CC, AJ and Tex will lend their endorsement for Yankee Stadium.
#3) This isn’t as big a deal as last year with CC’s supposedly preference to pitch in California. I thought all along that it was a clever tactic to make it seem like he didn’t want to go to NY…you know, sort of like acting like you don’t like car x at the dealership so the dealer doesn’t know that he’s got you.
If the Yankees show Cliff Lee the Yankee treatment and show him how much they want/need him AND throw bags of money at him, it will be very hard for him to turn them down. Of course, we don’t know how much Cliff’s time in Texas and how much their success means to him. We’ll find out by the end of the year…
I’m a Yanks fan…been to both the original and new stadiums. I’ve seen a few non-family friendly things, but not really TOWARD opposing fans (ex.: seeing a “lady of the night” inconsiderately standing in front of a bunch of people during the game, and then turning around and giving the finger when asked to sit down…followed by getting pelted by dozens of different kinds of food). I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but I think people have this inflated view of what to expect from Yankee fans. Hell, a good number of people at the stadium seem to be doing nothing more than going to the ballpark for a night out, nothing more. Good-natured ribbing is part of what makes games fun…and I sure as hell expect it when wearing a Yanks shirt at another ballpark. I certainly don’t agree with taking it any further than that…but come on now, let’s not let the vocal minority represent the masses. These vocal minorities are the same people saying we didn’t get outplayed soundly by a better team in the ALCS this year…so consider the source.
Did you guys happen to watch some YouTube clips on the streets of One Bank Way in Philly after the 2008 WS, and East 161st street in the Bronx after the 2009 WS? What the fans did after those 2 WS were totally different.
There is no way someone can say all Yankee fans are bad and there are no bad Philly fans.
I’m not defending the Yankee fans who are bad, I know there are plenty. But to say such stuff does not happen at Citizens Bank is incorrect. I’ve never been there but I’ve had friends who had been there and have heard from them.
Speaking as a Yankees fan, I would love the addition of Cliff Lee. That being said, heres my opinion on the statements made by Mrs. Lee and the statements by those in this forum:If you are a Yankees fan, and were NOT at the game in question: Shut the heck up. You dont know exactly what happened around Mrs. Lee, so you really cant say anything. Yes, we as Yankees fans know how security is at the Stadium…but if you were not at the game, or even close to her section, you cant say much.If you are NOT a Yankees fan, and were NOT at the game in question: Cut the crap! You do not know all the information, you were not there, you just see a person’s comments and take them as simple truth because you already hate the Yankees and their fans. You do not know if she is telling the truth or lying, so just shut up.Honestly, since none of us know if she was lying, telling the truth, blowing it out of proportion, or miss interpreted…then all we can do is share our thoughts. Theres no need for the constant ignorant bickering going on. But of course, what can we expect? Yankee-haters will simply go on posting their hateful comments, and Yankees fans will continue to let others get under their skin. IT A SPORT PEOPLE!! Sit back and enjoy the game, its not your money, you dont own the team. Just enjoy the sport.
While I cannot verify it as I’m unable to access Facebook from work, one commenter has posted a link to an alleged picture of the incident from a friend of Mrs. Lee. That would indicate pretty positively that she is telling the truth.
Lets see the picture first, and its source, before believing it….again, it could be true, it could not…but lets see the proof anyway
This comment section is pointless. Everyone on here is putting their personal spin on who they think the best/worst fans are. And as for the label of Philadelphia fans being made up…I went to school there and watched live as that guy made himself puke all over a little girl and her dad. That is not made up.
Hey, can we all just agree to disagree? I’ve only been to a couple major league games, but from all the various comments on this topic, one thing is pretty clear: fans are disgusting. Everywhere. Sorry to offend you, but its true.
NOW, on the other hand: all these horror stories about terrible fans are NOTHING like the normal baseball game at any of these places. There are comments here from NY fans saying Fenway sucks, Boston fans say no it doesn’t, and so on and so forth. Typically, its probably going to be a rough night going as an opposing fan in one of the bigger markets. And if you’re going to an important game, say a big rivalry game or playoffs, you’ll probably see more displays of disgusting behavior than usual. But honestly, I’ve heard about terrible things from every fanbase so please, can everyone stop saying their team has the best fans? š Everyone’s got some a-holes in their family.
As an Angels fan, I would say the most “classy” visiting fans have to be Twins fans. They cheer for their team but not in an obnoxious way and, at least the ones I’ve talked to, are way cool friendly. Most obnoxiouos and rude fans are BOS and NYY fans. Weird thing is…most of them that come to Angel Stadium are not even fans from back east. They tend to be local bangwagon fans who have never been to BOS or NY. The two or three New Yorker Yank fans I know are decent guys. Can’t say the same for few Bostonian Sox fans I’ve come across though.
If we’d stop doing the “wave” every damn game, I’d agree with you. Until then, I just can’t bring myself to acknowledge our fans as classy…Actually, I think we’re just normally so bored and lonely and cold up here, we enjoy the chance to talk baseball with someone else, and get outside perspectives. We’d probably taunt you if we weren’t so glad to have somebody to talk to…The one thing I do like is how reliable our home run porch is to throw back opposing home runs. We’re so religious about it, it just seems strange to see other fans keep a Mauer home run ball when we’re on the road.
Actually, I’ve got to agree with the above from SoCal. From a home fan perspective, I’ve never seen such a docile and respectful fanbase as Twins fans up in Fenway. It’s the weirdest thing, you people come out of the woodwork when the Twins are in town (Every single time, they’re out in absolute droves, Twinkie gear everywhere), but you never EVER hear a peep out of them. They come to the game, they take their seats, they cheer when the Twins get something in their favor, they funnel money into our economy and they then leave as quietly and mysteriously as they came.
I’ve seen moronic fans stirring up trouble from so many teams, but I have yet to see a Twins fan that was a pain up here.
Kinda weird to fathom AJ Burnette actually recruiting somebody to surely take his place on the roster.
How is Cliff Lee taking AJ’s place on the roster? I can give you 49,500,000 reasons why AJ isn’t going anywhere. Beside CC + Lee + Pettitte + AJ + Hughes equals 5. If Pettitte retires then we only have 4 w/ lee.
If anyone actually believes that the most coveted free agent whose going to command at least $100mil contract is going to base his decision of where he is going to play for the next 4-6 years off of the fact that some Yankee fans were unruly during a playoff game and offended his wife is certifiable. I guess Rangers fans need something to keep the hope alive that he’ll be back.
I’m gunna have to disagree. . If his wife is a small town girl and if she is adamant about not moving to new york it could end up being a deal breaker for him, if its the difference of dozens of millions then maybe not. but if we’re talking 160 yanks, 150 texas then in the wise words of Rob Corddry “happy wife, happy life”
Bottom line, not every fan is a decent one. No matter what team they are rooting for.
That really sums up this whole story well….THE END!
If anything, it only changes the equation a little. I’d think the Rangers winning the Series would have a greater effect.
If I have to read one more comment about incidents involving Phillies fans, I’m going to projectile vomit myself. If the best people can bring up about Phillies fans are the JD Drew incident, which happened 11 years ago, and throwing snowballs at a drunken Santa Claus, which happened FORTY TWO years ago, then why say anything at all? Sure, you can talk about the guy who threw up on the little girl, or some 16 year old kids getting tazed, but I still don’t understand how that represents the majority of fans at Citizens Bank Park.
I can speak with experience. I attend Phillies games regularly, and have never been more appalled by “fans” until a friend of mine, who is a Yankees fan, invited me to go to a game at Yankee Stadium. Any fanbase that calls themselves the “BleacherCreatures” deserve to get a bad reputation, and they were awful.
Privey must not be privy to his/ her own ignorance.
You know the moral outrage and comments being hurled at Yankee fans is not surprising, but certainly distasteful. I feel bad for tourists like Kristen who aren’t use to NY and have had bad experiences on occasion. However, to label ALL NY fans or to even suggest they are the large majority, or even the “black sheep”of mlb cities is not only absurd but moreso a flat out lie. That’s as silly and offensive as someone saying “Oh one day I had to ride the train thru Bedstuy Brooklyn and I had my purse snatched. “They” are all savages”. Or “I went to a friend’s house in Bensonhurst and one the way to the bus station someone called me a racist name. I hate those ppl in Bensonhurst because they’re all racists”. LOOK!!!! Fans of all teams are a microcosm of society in general. NY’ers may be a little rude at times, we may be in a rush to get where we’re going, but when it comes to pure human decency we are no more or no less than anyone else in society. Rude fans might stick out like a sore thumb, and maybe that’s the problem. Maybe it takes the silent majority to be not so silent anymore. However, be that as it may, to suggest that there isn’t some faction of Rangers, Giants, or whoever that cause problems, say the wrong thing and commit vulgar acts is a silly and a stupid stance to take. Furthermore, if she and Cliff Lee become part of the Yankee family then I’m sure rude comments are the last thing that she will have to endure at Yankee stadium.
I live in Cleveland and my business has afforded me the chance to meet and briefly talk to David Wells one day whem he was in town. He told me that he loved coming to Cleveland, OH because he loved to piss off the fans because he usually beats the crap out of the Indians. He said that compared to NY fans, the Indians fans had some of the most interesting stuff to say to him when he was throwing in the bullpen. He said he never heard so much creative vulgarity and innuendos about him, his family and what they like to do with farm animals. He also laughed about how he was hanging out in an area called The Flats and how he was chased down the street and had bottles thrown at him from fans that recognized him. Needless, to say he didn’t think the Indians fans were classy at all, but was use to it from ALL fans whenever he was the opponent. It happens! Doesn’t make it right and it doesn’t excuse it.
As for Lee’s wife, I hope she can understand that to be part of the Yanks AND BE A WINNER, means being part of a family. As long as you don’t “flame out” ala Ed Whitson, you will be loved and brought back for every “Old Timers” game forever. There might not be any direct flights from NY to Little Rock but I guarantee you if you sign w/ the Yanks, a private plane ride from Ny back home can be arranged by the Yanks.
tldr
Scared to ask but ??????
Means “too long, didn’t read.”
Why do people feel the need to defend their fanbase? There are morons in every fanbase and if you’re not one of them, why should you defend them? It’s not like we’re cheering for teams because they have good fans with moral values.
I don’t know about you guys but I don’t go home after a bad game thinking, well the team was a disaster today, but at least our fans were respectful people. Who cares!?
When I hear comments like “All Red Sox fans suck” or “All Red Sox fans are idiots” then I defend the base because I belong in the set of “all Red Sox fans.”
I’ve stated quite clearly in the past that every fan base has it’s good and bad. Unfortunately it’s the people who say “all fans of a fan base suck” are the ones who are part of the bad.
I agree and I”m a Yankee fan. Then again the same goes on our side when people say all NYers and all Yankee fans are pathetic.
I get your point, I guess what I’m saying is that you should only have to defend yourself and not the morons. People are not worth the time to argue with if they are stupid and lazy enough to think they can apply one definition to a large amount of people.
And yet we have over 200 posts on this thread alone and most are basically attacks. Attacking Lee’s wife for not having a good day in New York, attacking other fan bases because “our fans are better than yours,” etc.
Couldn’t agree with you more… I went to the Yanks/Rangers games in Arlington this year and I’ve never been cussed out more in my life for wearing my Yanks stuff… I wasn’t mad, but I don’t ever want to hear a Ranger fan complain about Yankee fans ever again lol
Well, now that we’ve heard from Lee’s agent, all we’re missing now is the formal apology from the Yankee front office. I suspect we’ll see that materialize within hours to a day.
I don’t doubt the situation happened but that photo lends nothing to the conversation. For all I know those could be two cats throwing feces at her.
i as a non yankee and non rangers fan vow to buy a cliff lee jersey if he signs with texas….who else is with me ??… if the difference is ten to 15 mill i bet we can make up the difference!!!!
(by the way b4 someone says all of ny will buy a yankees lee jersey, there are about four million more people in texas than ny…and those are just the legal citizens)
also, i would bet a weeks pay the next 5 years the rangers give any player a better shot of winning it all than ny…guarenteed rings isnt something you really want to promise given the recent decade …. becoming the “braves” of this decade
The chances of people buying Lee jerseys are very little. People still wear Jeter, A-Rod, and Mariano today.I don’t even see Cano jerseys much.Not everyone in Texas is a Ranger fan, nor is everyone in NY a Yankee fan, but believe me when I say that there are more Yankee fans than Ranger fans
but there are more yankee haters than yankee fans
Yeah but that don’t mean all Yankee haters are Rangers/Lee fans
you missed the point
So are you expecting all of the Houston Astro fans to buy jerseys as well? You’re comparing all the fans in the state of Texas to the fans in just NY city alone? Dude, the city of Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area is about 6.3 mil. The population of New York City (5 boroughs) is 8 mil. That’s not including Suffolk County (1.5 mil) and Nassau Couty (1.3 mil) of Long Island or parts of New Jersey closest to NY like Newark, Jersey City, Toms River, etc which is another 1.4 mil or so and people who live in White Plains and Mt. Vernon, NY or parts of Connecticut which are an hour or so away.
there are mets fans also…ya know….
the point was even even if there are more people in nyc than dfw many who despise the way the yankees operate would chip in … i would… and was just seeing if other baseball fans would too….
It’s ok to hate but hate for the right reasons. Yanks spend money like no other. Please don’t for a second kid yourself that your team wouldn’t spend more if they had the finances like the Yanks. The fact that they may not isn’t a reason to hate those that do.
BTW, ppl are always quick to point out the $200 mil payroll. How about frekin’ pointing out the tens of millions the Yanks contribute for the benefit of other teams too by way of a harsh luxury tax and revenue sharing. And I guarantee you most cities best road date attendance comes when when the Yanks are in town.
Say hello to the “Bad Guys”. You need ppl like us…
real fans of the game totally disagree
Oh so I’m not a real fan because I don’t care how much they spend on players? Yeah that make perfect sense to me. I’ll salivate over things like stats. I’ll let you worry about how big a teams payroll is because that’s what really matters right? Ppl need to stop acting as if the Yanks are committing some great travesty against mankind or the game of baseball.
again, most people disagree…yanks fans can keep patting themselves on the back and reassuring themselves…but notice your alone…no other fans responded…..
ever read the book the emperors new clothes?????
bro… I’ve only played one game my whole life… Baseball. I played in college and I am now a high school baseball coach. I think it’s fine what the Yankees do with their money and I think deep down most fans wish their selfish owners did it too. But I guess I’m not a real fan of the game even though I’ve played more baseball games than you’ve played video games haha
wrong again…
played hs and college ball…..no video games….if you cant put a TEAM together for under 125 mill you dont know squat about baseball
well at least I know you’re a baseball guy now lol but seriously dude just because the Yankees spend their fans money instead of pocketing it like every other selfish owner does not make it wrong… Also the Yankees paid 75 mil in luxury tax to other teams last year and I’m willing to bet those owners kept that money for themselves… The real crime is selfish owners who don’t care about winning baseball games like whoever owns the Pirates.
i agree… too much of that going on… and in all honesty that crime is worse to fans….
yanks paying 75 mill is not fair at all….you def made your point…..
enjoy the series!
wish i had the $ to buy the pirates…..
wrong again…
played hs and college ball…..no video games….if you cant put a TEAM together for under 125 mill you dont know squat about baseball
Let’s see, 160 million to live amongst the vilest fans in baseball or 150 million to live in a place that you really like?
Yeah, tough decision.
———————-
As of 2009.
Based on cases per 1,000
Muders- Dallas- .13 vs NY-.006
VIolent Crimes- Dallas- 7.92 vs NY-5.52
Rape- Dallas- .38 vs NY-.10
Robbery- Dallas- 4.26 vs NY-2.21
Burglary- Dallas- 15.06 vs NY-.006
Motor Vehicle Thefts- Dallas- 2.24 vs NY-1.27
Yeah, Dallas is a lovely place to live. And I’m sure that CC and AJ fear for the lives of their families every time they drive thru the gates and pass by the houses of Chris Rock, Mary J Blige and Diddy.
I was in Houston once for a conference and had a very unpleasant experience w/ a “dancer” at a local gents club. Was I quick to judge the ENTIRE staff at said establishment and write them all off as miscreants? No. In fact I made a point of going back their on two more occasions just to give them a 2nd and 3rd chance to prove it was an isolated incident. Why? Because I’m just that kind of guy. Always in search of the good in all of us (in comes the special theme music).
You lost my respect when you bragged about the possibility of having chris rock, mary j and diddy as neighbors.
You got it back with your gentlemen’s club story.
You got a problem with any of them? Have you ever been to a Diddy party? Epic. Rappers, athletes, world famous models and yuppie invest bankers. Doesn’t get more diverse than that. Diddy might even put Lee in his next video. If that, a shot at numerous playoff appearances and a $100-$175 mil doesn’t cement then I don’t know what will
lol i’m not gunna dignify that with a response as im sure your being sarcastic. more talk about gentlemen clubs
Who lives in Dallas?
All of the players and anyone with a brain live in the suburbs. I know for a fact that not one player lives in Dallas. We have cities in DFW that put New York to shame as far as those stats go.
And there are spacious luxury condos in NY and sprawling wealthy suburbs in NY, NJ and possibly Connecticut where Lee and his family would feel safe as well. You a–holes (not you specific) should stop acting as if Lee’s going to be living in a 2 bedroom walk up in Alphabet City. He did ride the train to the stadium last year and came away unscathed. WOuldn’t recommend it again but I’m just saying.
i didn’t mean to like this comment.
just wanted to say that being from the metroplex, it drives me crazy when people refer to the Rangers as a “Dallas” team. from a personality standpoint (and a geographic on as well) this is an arlington/ft. worth team. trust me from someone who lives here – dallas and ft worth are like night and day; 2 completely different types of people. I would assume you wouldn’t want a team in the bronx to be referred to as a jersey team or long island team.
also, if i wanted to throw up harlem stats on crime i’m guessing that would make NY seem like a bad place. but they are 2 completely different places. using your analogies, it’d be like comparing highland park or southlake to harlem. get my point?
Valid point. Much like how New Yorkers only go to New Jersey to watch football, us in the Metroplex only go to Dallas to go to the American Airlines Center. You rally can’t just throw us in with those animals.
Those stats pretty much sum up Dallas. That’s why the Metroplex parties in Ft. Worth and lives in the suburbs (which is where The Ballpark in Arlington is located – far enough away from Dallas). If a player wanted to live here, the Arlingon, HEB, Grand Prarie areas (all great places to live) would make the most lgistical places to live.
“She enjoys New York as much as anyone enjoys New York.” As in anyone, like Nico Bellic and John Rocker?
I’ve lived my life as an away-team fan. I’ve never been to an Astros home game, but I’ve seen them play in 17 different parks in my lifetime. The only two places I’ve ever had an issue were Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium. At Wrigley, I’m willing to chalk it up to an isolated incident. Every team has a lame, drunk fan or a hundred. At Dodger Stadium, I was specifically targeted by a crowd of jerks. Anywhere you go, that can happen. But it almost never does.
I don’t want Lee. No thanks. Enough on spending on huge contracts, this year was a huge reason why the Yanks shouldn’t spend on big contracts. I can actually accept losing, and i’d be more than happy to stockpile young talent to really compete for the future, since we already have 2 young players to build around for the future(Cano, Tex). This team is getting old too, time to infuse some youth into the lineup. And spending on these huge contracts would only limit and cripple the team’s future opportunities in the future even more from both a business and performance standpoint.
You are delusional. Be against the trading of prospects for 35 yo declining players. Be against signing guys who are marginal players. When you have a chance to acquire a top talent like a CC, Tex or Lee w/o giving up prospects then you do it.
SIgning Cliff Lee isn’t going to prevent them from doing anything else. There are plenty of contracts coming off the books this year and in the next few that the Yanks can improve their team and hover around that $190-$215 range for the next few years. Don’t let the jealous fans get to you. Keep in mind that the majority of the team is 30 or younger. Arod, Jeter, Posada, Rivera and Pettitte are the only “old” guys on the team and you figure 3 of them will be gone in the next 3 years.
What I’m saying is that I don’t like he sound of paying 3-5 guys $100M dollar contracts that will all probably be albatrosses, and if not all, than some thg can really damage the team’s overall performance. And excuse me if I don’t like giving up VERY young up and coming talent for veterans on the wrong side of 30. You don’t do that, and I’d never do it. I may value prospects too much but I don’t like to take alot of chances either. Oh and those guys you mentioned are pretty much half the core of the team.
I just stated that the Yanks shouldn’t give up young prospects for aging vets and that is exactly why they SHOULD sign Cliff Lee. The Yanks need to improve on their pitching, especially if Pettite retires. I can make the arguement that signing Cliff Lee PROTECTS our minor league players because then we don’t have to go thru the trade market to obtain another pitcher. This concept shouldn’t be lost on you dude, especially as much as you and I salivate over guys like Montero, Betances, Banuelos and Brackman making it to NY. Guess what? The Yanks aren’t going to stand pat with just CC, AJ, Pettite, Hughes and a minor league arm next year. They will go after someone and in most cases, if it’s a top starter, then you can say good bye to Montero and others. So let’s try and sign Lee as option #1. If Pettitte retires then you can afford to go with Nova, Noesi, Phelps or whoever because the front will be strong. It’s obvious by the fact that we haven’t traded for Santana, Halladay and Lee that now, more than any other time since the mid 90’s, the Yanks have placed a emphasis on building a better farm and using some for your own purposes (Hughes, Joba, Cano, Gardner, Cervelli) and using others as trade chips to get players they need (Austin Jackson for Granderson, Vizcaino and Cabrera for Vazquez). That’s the perfect way to do things. Use cash when you can over trading prospects.
200+ comments on Yankee bashing and I love it! Kristen is a living martyr.
does all this really matter?
Publicity stunt! How would fans even know who she is? Unless she had a sign on her forehead that said “Cliff Lee’s Wife” I highly doubt anyone assaulted or insulted her. Besides it’s common knowledge that the Yankees will be first in line for Cliff Lee’s services when the winter comes around. It’s just one of those stories that is completely absurd but for some reason people believe.
As a Yankee fan I seriously hope that Cliff Lee signs with the Yankees for a respectable amount. But I don’t want to pay CC Sabathia money for him. Let Texas spend 1/3 of their payroll if that’s the case. I’m so tired of the Yankees weighing down the team with huge contracts (A-rod, AJ). The seasons several small market clubs (Rays, Giants, Padres) have had this year are testements that money doesn’t buy you a title, homegrown talent does.
Cliff Lee is an amazing pitcher. Yes I get that. But for how much longer? He’s an injury or two away from being Carl Pavano. When you rely on your control as much as he does any kind of injury can really hurt your performance. And when you’re putting millions of dollars on the line its really a gamble. So I think I speak for alot of Yankee fans when I say that I’m excited but nervous about Cliff possibly signing with us.
I agree that signing a 32 yo pitcher to a huge contract is risky but what do you fear more?
a) Going into 2011 w/ CC, AJ, Pettitte, HUghes and a minor leaguer.
b) Yanks trading away Montero and others for Greinke or some other front of the rotation starter (not many are on the market).
c) Using your greatest assett to sign Lee, keep your prospects and hope that you can integrate a couple of them into the rotation when Pettitte retires, AJ departs or someone gets hurt?
The Yanks managed to absorb bad contracts in the past and hasn’t stopped them at all from being competetive (see Pavano, Giambi, and Matsui and Sheff the years they were injured).
umm its called the family section, and its called wearing texas rangers merchandise.
they didnt spit on HER specifically because shes cliff’s wife, they we’re attacking the section because they were texas supporters. geez
the NYY fans are far from classy kinda rival the phili fans when it comes to some of the stuff i know if it were my wife id certainly do anything possible to make sure that doesnt happen.its a respect thing you can talk but spitting is just sad especially on a female regardless rather at a baseball game or outside in the streets thats just something you dont do.imagine it was your wife or gf sister mom getting spat on over a baseball game that doesnt in anyway have to do with you like come on do something productive not critizing anyone on this site but in general
Dear Cliff Lee Wife,
The Cubs fans will be really nice to you if you can get Cliff to sign with Cubs.
Dear Cubs Fans,
I rather be spit on then have my husband play for the cubs.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lee
Just a question, but have any of you been to Miller Park? I know there is no “Great Reason” unless your a Cubs fan, (Cheaper to catch a game than going to Wrigley) but I’ve been to probably 100 games over the last 3-4 years, and I don’t recall any incidents that would get this kind of attention. Were a pretty good group, we tailgate better than anyone, and I’ve even invited random opposing fans to come have a brat and beer with me. Were good folks here in the Midwest, but I think it’s due to not having many people outside of the MW come and visit. Also, our park is friggin awesome, if you haven’t had the oppurtunity to check out Miller Park, I strongly recommend it. I’ve been all over the country watching Brewer’s games, and the only park that even holds a candle, in my opinion, is new Target Field. That place, and it’s fans, were very gracious hosts, and even though we have a state rivalry, I had a guy BUY ME A BEER! That doesn’t happen out east or west, it’s just a Midwest thing!