From booing a pitcher barely old enough to drink, to actually killing someone for taking part in a "Yankees Suck" chant, it hasn't been the classiest of times for Yankee fans. And coming from someone who has dared to wear Red Sox gear into Yankee Stadium, that says a lot.
But while it's easy to generalize Yankees (or Red Sox, Eagles, Raiders or James Blunt) fans as uncivilized louts, it's not always that simple. New York is a huge city with all different kinds of people roaming the streets. Go to a Green Bay Packers game, and nearly everyone sporting green and yellow is a Wisconsin lifer with a cousin named Bart and six nephews named Brett. In Yankee Stadium, that's not the case.
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<td width="300"> Watching his favorite player, little Jimmy wonders, "How much is $250 million?" (Getty Images) </td>
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At any Yankees game you'll find tons of New Yorkers who've loved the team since back when they were good. Of course you'll also find a ton of people new to the city who've never heard of Thurman Munson and think Phil Rizzuto was a bad guy on The Sopranos.
So how do you tell the real Yankee fans from the fake ones? Here's a handy guide to understanding 10 distinct types of Yankee fans.
1. The actual Yankee fan
In brief: Likes the Yankees the same way you like your favorite team.
Favorite Yankees: Derek Jeter, Paul O'Neill, Don Mattingly
Most cherished souvenir: Yankees hat worn during '96 championship run, or ball autographed by Mattingly and Mike Pagliarulo in spring training, 1987.
Recent statement: "Shut up, Hank."
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Ignore them, and keep reading the paper.
2. The bully Yankee fan
In brief: Thinks you suck.
Favorite Yankee: The last one to hit a home run.
Most cherished souvenir: Ridiculous "Scoreboard" t-shirt that shows how the Yankees have more World Series victories than the Red Sox -- as if they were alive during the Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle eras.
Recent statement: "Boston sucks."
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Tell them they suck, then ask how many championships the Red Sox have won. Before the Sox fan has a chance to answer, the bully fan will stick a finger in their face and scream "26 TIME WORLD CHAMPIONS," before having to go back to work behind the glass case selling subway passes.
3. The booing Yankee fan
In brief: Jeers anything and everything, including slumping Yankee legends and unseasoned 21-year-old pitchers who have the nerve to pitch like unseasoned 21-year-old pitchers.
Favorite Yankee: George Steinbrenner
Most cherished souvenir: Taxi Driver DVD signed by Robert DeNiro
Recent statement: "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Boo them, naturally.
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<td width="300"> Not all fans of the Yankees are so forgiving. (Getty Images) </td>
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4. The celebrity Yankee fan
In brief: Sits in the front row during playoff games. Hasn't lived in New York or been to a regular-season Yankee game since 1981.
Favorite Yankee: A-Rod.
Most cherished souvenir: Game-worn Mickey Mantle jersey purchased for way too much money at a charity auction.
Recent statement: "Go Lakers!"
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: N/A. Nobody takes the subway in L.A.
5. The Latino Yankee fan
In brief: Brings their native flag to Yankee Stadium to go crazy for the players from their homeland.
Favorite players: Melky Cabrera (Dominican Republic), Jorge Posada (Puerto Rico), Bobby Abreu (Venezuela), A-Rod (Miami).
Most cherished souvenir: Yankee hat featuring their native colors/flag in some fashion.
Recent statement: "Vamos Mets!"
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: High-five them if they happened to be wearing the shirt of a player from their country.
6. The executive Yankee fan
In brief: Sits in corporate seats, orders vodka tonics, can't name one player on the opposing team.
Favorite player: Whichever one does ads for their company.
Most cherished souvenir: Yankee cufflinks given to them on Father's Day.
Recent statement: "When's Cone pitching?"
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Wake up from the horrible dream in which they were taking the subway.
7. The transplant Yankee fan
In brief: Grew up in the Midwest liking a different team, now feels the need to talk trash incessantly to make up for the fact that they have only been a Yankee fan for a few years.
Favorite player: The one that used to play for the team they grew up watching.
Most cherished souvenir: Reggie Miller jersey currently stashed in bottom drawer. Would never dare wear it outside in New York.
Recent statement: "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!"
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Think about saying something, but be too into their John Mellencamp album to bother.
8. The conflicted Yankee fan
In brief: Likes both the Yankees and the Mets.
Favorite players: Al Leiter, Robin Ventura.
Most cherished souvenir: 2000 World Series souvenir hat.
Recent statement: "Who says I can't like them both?"
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Talk to them about Pedro.
9. The significant other Yankee fan
In brief: Obnoxious girlfriend of obnoxious Yankee fan. Gets drunk and talks trash to opposing fans, despite not knowing what things like "RBI" and "A-Rod" stand for. Also comes in Red Sox, Patriots and (now!) New York Giants varieties.
Favorite player: The one with the smile.
Most cherished souvenir: Pink Derek Jeter t-shirt that's 12 sizes too small.
Recent statement: "How many points are we losing by?"
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Avoid eye contact, as they tried to remember exactly where it was they made out with them.
10. The I-don't-like-baseball-but-like-the-Ya
nkees Yankee fan
In brief: Doesn't actually watch sports, just likes the teams that win.
Favorite player: Any member of a Yankees championship team.
Most cherished souvenir: Bernie Williams bobblehead.
Recent statement: "I never liked these Yankees anyway."
If they saw a Red Sox fan on the subway, they'd: Wonder what the "B" stood for.
