View Full Version : Do you feel a need to justify the Yankees Spending Ways to Yankee Haters?
Nettles
12-29-08, 11:18 AM
This is something I have kicked around with some friends. Some Yankee fans will take the bait and argue, whether it means calling in radio hosts or simply around the water cooler, and defend the Yankees payroll/spending. The defenses include:
1 - The rules allow it, so they can;
2 - There are no guarantees, so why complain?;
3 - Other teams have enough money but refuse to spend;
4 - The object is to win, so they are doing what they should;
5 - They are only spending their revenue;
Etc.
Other fans simply say, "I don't give a leap" (or words to that effect), and go on rooting and talking baseball. Their philosophy is that it doesn't matter what Yankee haters say (or maybe even to enjoy watching them seethe with anger).
Which one are you?
BillBuckner
12-29-08, 01:11 PM
Yes. But in almost all cases, it's impossible. There's just no reasoning with people who ignore any relevant facts and focus on whatever fits their pre-desired perception. So I try not to bother. You just can't anymore.
Reggie Smith
12-29-08, 01:19 PM
You shouldn't need to justify anything. MLB sets the rules, and the Yankees play within those rules. Good for them. Stinks for my team, but kudos for the Yankees.
PeteRFNY
12-29-08, 01:45 PM
I don't bother. People have been bitching since the Yankees signeed Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson. That's never going to change, so why waste the breath.
yankeeman61
12-29-08, 01:55 PM
It's tough to change a mind that doesn't want to change. It's like political views. Once you've made up your mind that's it. People believe the Yankees are the root of all that is baseball evil. Too much success frustrates others and no matter how much logic you use to explain it, you end up like this:
http://www.indorphyn.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/Sisyphus.jpg
Yankee Haters will always hate the Yankees. Just laugh it off.
machphantom
12-29-08, 03:55 PM
After spending years at the brunt end of constant jokes from Angels "fans," I just don't care anymore. They can go #@!$ themselves.
BornAYankeesFan
12-29-08, 04:01 PM
I honestly feel there's arguments on both sides of the fence. If I sense that someone wants to have a sensible discussion about the current economic state of the game I will. If they just want to hate on the Yankees I do not even bother to engage them in any discussion at all.
Although interestingly over the Xmas break I was "confronted" by an elderly gentleman (because I was wearing my Yankees jacket) at the newstand who was ranting about Steinbrenner trying to buy a World Series and the yankees ruining baseball, turning it into a buziness etc etc. The more he ranted the more I remained calm and smiled. It pissed him off even more that I wouldn't react. :)
Toaderly
12-29-08, 04:03 PM
It ain't my money.
Yankees13
12-29-08, 04:07 PM
You shouldn't need to justify anything. MLB sets the rules, and the Yankees play within those rules. Good for them. Stinks for my team, but kudos for the Yankees.
It may stink for your team in the sense that you have to compete with the Yankees, but the rules in general benefit the Sox almost as much as the Yankees.
YankeePride1967
12-29-08, 04:10 PM
Nope, let them whine.
CallOfTheCrow
12-29-08, 04:13 PM
Nope, let them whine.
Pretty much this.
Their minds are already made up & they will bitch & bitch regardless so there's really no point.
hellonewman
12-29-08, 04:14 PM
There's no reasoning with haters, so no.
YankeePride1967
12-29-08, 04:19 PM
Pretty much this.
Their minds are already made up & they will bitch & bitch regardless so there's really no point.
I don't remember the links, but Forbes Magazine did a study and revealed the Yanks put 65% of their total revenues back into salaries where Boston puts up 50% of theirs. So that goes to show if Boston chose to, they could spend more. And the Yanks are one team where the ownership doesn't have external income worth far more. With the Steinbrenners, it's the Yanks and that's it and they put their money back into the product. I don't think doing the right thing is warranting of criticism.
MassNYYfan
12-29-08, 07:12 PM
I don't bother. I've loved the Yankees since before I knew what the hell a team payroll was. That's not going to change because a fan of some other team doesn't like the fact that some 2 and half decades later they spend more than anybody else does.
Basically: go screw.
:)
PJMPirate
12-29-08, 07:36 PM
I feel like they have a point.
I always shrugged off the griping from other teams about how much the Yankees spend, but this offseason has made it clear that it just isn't a level playing field. Small market teams could maybe - maybe - have signed one of our three big free agents this year, and if that player got injured it would screw their franchise for years. If Burnett doesn't throw a single game, or Tex has a severe injury three years in, the Yankees will just sign another megadeal. I know spending doesn't guarantee championships, but it does give the Yankees opportunity to absorb bad contracts and keep handing out new ones.
I must say that I think this offseason has proven a point - that MLB needs to take a long, hard look at its system and needs to implement a salary cap and floor.
ColombiaYanksFan
12-30-08, 12:02 AM
Other fans simply say, "I don't give a leap" (or words to that effect), and go on rooting and talking baseball. Their philosophy is that it doesn't matter what Yankee haters say (or maybe even to enjoy watching them seethe with anger).
Which one are you?
What is sad is that their viscious venom spreads through ESPN commentators. For example when Gammons through a dollar bill on an ESPN table while commenting on the Yankees spending, he was obviously accusing the Yankees (to the USA audience), that we buy our world series'.
BUT...You'll never hear him mention that Steinbrenner was the only one who voted against the revenue sharing
penfold
12-30-08, 12:18 AM
My response is usually something like, "Hey, I'm just happy that the team owner puts the profit back into the team unlike whoever owns the team that you root for!"
Seriously, so many owners just rape their teams for profit and then line their own pockets.....
ZYanksRule
12-30-08, 01:12 AM
I don't bother because those fans just won't have their minds changed.
Jeter Kid
12-30-08, 01:18 AM
I don't even bother anymore. I could care less about what some random schmuck thinks about my favorite baseball team.
NYYDragoon
12-30-08, 01:20 AM
I don't even bother anymore. I could care less about what some random schmuck thinks about my favorite baseball team.Hey you. Todd Jones isn't just some random schmuck!
jbauer2485
12-30-08, 01:35 AM
For a few years I'd put up a case, but it changes nothing. Now I simply ignore any Yankee payroll comments.
Jeter Kid
12-30-08, 01:36 AM
Hey you. Todd Jones isn't just some random schmuck!
I'll admit, I lol'd. :P
RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees
12-30-08, 03:15 AM
Hey you. Todd Jones isn't just some random schmuck!
True, he is not random.
NewEraYanks2527
12-30-08, 06:44 AM
I see no need to justify the Yankees spending, it is their right to do so.
As you said, it is within the rules and there is also no rule that states "The Yankees are the only team that is allowed to spend money."
Also Wang, Pettitte, Jeter, Posada, Chamberlain, Hughes, Melky, Gardner, Cano all came up through the Yankees system and will most likely see significant playing time this year. It is not like there is not a single Yankee prospect that performs at the high level and every player is "bought".
YankeePride1967
12-30-08, 07:12 AM
I feel like they have a point.
I always shrugged off the griping from other teams about how much the Yankees spend, but this offseason has made it clear that it just isn't a level playing field. Small market teams could maybe - maybe - have signed one of our three big free agents this year, and if that player got injured it would screw their franchise for years. If Burnett doesn't throw a single game, or Tex has a severe injury three years in, the Yankees will just sign another megadeal. I know spending doesn't guarantee championships, but it does give the Yankees opportunity to absorb bad contracts and keep handing out new ones.
I must say that I think this offseason has proven a point - that MLB needs to take a long, hard look at its system and needs to implement a salary cap and floor.
Even though right now the Yankee payroll is lower than it was at the end of the year? We hear about the players the Yankees have signed but nothing of the players that left.
cupcollector99
12-30-08, 07:53 AM
No.
I wish they would stop crying about how unfair life is and start pressuring the ownership of their teams to spend on free agents.
Reggie Smith
12-30-08, 08:05 AM
It may stink for your team in the sense that you have to compete with the Yankees, but the rules in general benefit the Sox almost as much as the Yankees.
Absolutely, no arguments here.
MaineSoxFan
12-30-08, 08:28 AM
What is sad is that their viscious venom spreads through ESPN commentators. For example when Gammons through a dollar bill on an ESPN table while commenting on the Yankees spending, he was obviously accusing the Yankees (to the USA audience), that we buy our world series'.
BUT...You'll never hear him mention that Steinbrenner was the only one who voted against the revenue sharing because he prefers a salary cap:
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8794630_ITM
That's goes far beyond a sore loser when they only show one side.
And Hank Steinbrenner was quoted saying, "If you're going to cry about the revenue sharing then vote for a salary cap": http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2008/09/report_yankees_hank_steinbrenn.html
Redsox misery needs to understand that the Steinbrenners are begging for a salary cap to be implemented.
I am fine with the Yankees spending the money they do, they aren't breaking any rules.
That being said, I don't see where Steinbrenner is "begging for a salary cap" though I have to admit I couldn't read the whole first article. Can you point me to where he asks for a salary cap?
Hitman23
12-30-08, 09:02 AM
I let the scoreboard justify everything. And if it doesn't I take the heat. If it does, there's not much anyone can say other than spiteful and jealous remarks.
The bit about Steinbrenner being pro-salary cap would serve as a great counter argument if true.
On the other hand, though, a salary cap hurts the workers and helps the ownership in the longterm, and I'm necessarily going to side with the workers.
marcus51
12-30-08, 11:09 AM
I just say, "Hey, it's not my money."
CoyoteYankee
12-30-08, 03:31 PM
It depends. If I'm having a discussion with friends or family then I do but I wouldn't ever call up a radio show or interrupt random people who I overhear talking about it to defend it or anything.
BonusCantos
12-30-08, 03:44 PM
No, I don't.
YanksFan1992
12-30-08, 05:29 PM
Not at all.
I get so much crap from the many Mariners fans (which is understandable) and bandwagon Red Sox fans (not so much) that I know, that I've all but given up trying to defend the Yankees' payroll.
ColombiaYanksFan
12-30-08, 09:48 PM
I am fine with the Yankees spending the money they do, they aren't breaking any rules.
That being said, I don't see where Steinbrenner is "begging for a salary cap" though I have to admit I couldn't read the whole first article. Can you point me to where he asks for a salary cap?
You're right. I clipped the wrong article.
But he if owners are going to keep crying about the revenue sharing intact(which they voted for) ,and want to implement the salary cap, they should first return all their revenue sharing back to Steinbrenner and next time not cry over something they unanimously agreed to.
The Q Bomb
12-30-08, 10:01 PM
I let the scoreboard justify everything. And if it doesn't I take the heat. If it does, there's not much anyone can say other than spiteful and jealous remarks. That really seems like the most sensible approach to me - unfortunately, I'm not that sensible. I do get sucked into arguments about the Yankees spending ways because it drives me nuts. My opinion is that it's no concern to outsiders what we spend (especially to those who say, "You can't buy a championship." Well, then don't worry about how much we spend!) It should only be of concern to Yankee fans. Things often get extended into political discussions where I decry socialism. I'm going to try and adopt Hitman 23's tact!
Hitman23
12-31-08, 12:28 AM
That really seems like the most sensible approach to me - unfortunately, I'm not that sensible. I do get sucked into arguments about the Yankees spending ways because it drives me nuts. My opinion is that it's no concern to outsiders what we spend (especially to those who say, "You can't buy a championship." Well, then don't worry about how much we spend!) It should only be of concern to Yankee fans. Things often get extended into political discussions where I decry socialism. I'm going to try and adopt Hitman 23's tact!:lol: good luck. it's taken me years of getting sucked into these arguments to realize you just can't win them. No matter what you say to prove the how's and why's and because's, people will always have an issue when it's not their team spending and winning. My only response to people is that I'm very happy the people who run the team are every bit as much a Yankee fan as I am and treat the team as a fan would instead of solely business.
Nettles
12-31-08, 09:11 AM
:lol: good luck. it's taken me years of getting sucked into these arguments to realize you just can't win them. No matter what you say to prove the how's and why's and because's, people will always have an issue when it's not their team spending and winning. My only response to people is that I'm very happy the people who run the team are every bit as much a Yankee fan as I am and treat the team as a fan would instead of solely business.
I am not so sure about it not being "solely business" for the Steinbrenners. That is to say, they definitely want to win - like a fan, as you say - but naturally winning does great things for their bottom line. Don't believe for a second that they are in this for any reason other than to make (a great deal of) money.
As the late W. Mark Felt (aka "Deep Throat") told Bob Woodward, "follow the money. Just follow the money."
Stache Fan
12-31-08, 09:26 AM
People will always want what they (or their team) can't have. The NYY-Haters arguments will never be valid as long as the Twins' Carl Pohlad continues to be richer than Steinbrenner.
Hitman23
12-31-08, 11:53 AM
I am not so sure about it not being "solely business" for the Steinbrenners. That is to say, they definitely want to win - like a fan, as you say - but naturally winning does great things for their bottom line. Don't believe for a second that they are in this for any reason other than to make (a great deal of) money.
As the late W. Mark Felt (aka "Deep Throat") told Bob Woodward, "follow the money. Just follow the money."Oh I'm not ignorant to the fact that it's a business. But I think the Steinbrenners being fans in the same way we are helps, alot.
4bronxbombers
12-31-08, 06:26 PM
I used to get worked up about it when people would talk smack about the Yankees spending but lately it doesn't bother me as much.....I guess I don't give a sh*t about other teams and other people's hatred/jealousy of the Yanks. I'm just glad I don't root for their team. :lol:
hellonewman
12-31-08, 06:33 PM
Uhh-ohh, looks like Arab militants hate the Yankees now. The waswatching.com blog has been hacked: :lol:
http://waswatching.com
bagger015
12-31-08, 06:47 PM
This is something I have kicked around with some friends. Some Yankee fans will take the bait and argue, whether it means calling in radio hosts or simply around the water cooler, and defend the Yankees payroll/spending. The defenses include:
1 - The rules allow it, so they can;
2 - There are no guarantees, so why complain?;
3 - Other teams have enough money but refuse to spend;
4 - The object is to win, so they are doing what they should;
5 - They are only spending their revenue;
Etc.
Other fans simply say, "I don't give a leap" (or words to that effect), and go on rooting and talking baseball. Their philosophy is that it doesn't matter what Yankee haters say (or maybe even to enjoy watching them seethe with anger).
Which one are you?
Number 3 is right on the money, no pun intended, and besides it just doesn't matter anyway. I enjoy baseball, especially Yankee baseball. Let them b!tch. They're just jealous anyway. :D
WashingtonYankee
01-02-09, 08:39 PM
It depends on my mood but I like to point out the facts.
GordonGecko
01-02-09, 09:01 PM
For some reason people outside of NYC don't get it. The Yankees have a ton of money from being the #1 team in MLB with the longest history and instead of taking that as profit, they spend it on the team. I constantly have to explain this to people with envious sticker shock
4bronxbombers
01-04-09, 03:37 PM
It depends on my mood but I like to point out the facts.
What do you say to people, Brooke?
machphantom
01-07-09, 05:05 AM
Any Yankee haters should read this article:
http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/317616-paul-catalanothe-yankees-are-bad-for-baseball-yeah-right
yankswn23
01-07-09, 11:56 AM
NO. I like to know all the 1000's of dollars I pay for hats, Jerseys and tickets goes to the players that make my team great, unlike some owners who pocket the money
parkerstrong
01-07-09, 02:00 PM
What I say is the Yankee fans pay for these types of players with salary and watching the YES channel....Yankee fans really pay for these players and if your team's fans are as supportive as Yankee fans maybe your team can do the same. With Red Sox fans I talk about how much money they make on their team each year and don't go the extra mile for the players they want. Don't be fooled-they make a profit even with their high payroll.
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