Top 10 Reasons Progressives Shouldn't Root for the Yankees

(For anyone who wonders about the connection between politics and sports.)

1. Because rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for General Motors.

2. Because George Steinbrenner was convicted of giving illegal campaign contributions to Richard M. Nixon.

3. Because, whereas the crosstown Brooklyn Dodgers were the first major league team to field a Black player, the Yankees were among the last (Elston Howard in 1955).

4. Because Steinbrenner represents the worst aspects of the football mentality applied to baseball--the assumption that victory is all about "guts," "toughness," and "will." (Steinbrenner's highest compliment to a ballplayer is that he is a "warrior." Can't imagine why he never hired G. Gordon Liddy as his manager.)

5. Because the whole "Yankee tradition" thing has just become sooo pretentious. (Voice of God on the public address system . . . monuments beyond the centerfield fence . . . Lou Gehrig and Thurman Munson canonized . . .)

6. Because the Yankee fan embodies the spirit of entitlement: "Sure, we've won more championships than any other team. And if we don't get another one next year, I plan to throw another tantrum."

7. Because when the Yankees win through trickery or intimidation (Jeffrey Mayer, Billy Martin), their fans think it's cute.

8. Because the Yankee system of buying championships is a "brute force" system based not on finesse or strategy but on overwhelming the opponent through sheer firepower. (Which is okay, but don't then pat yourself on back using terms of artistry like "excellence" and "greatness.")

9. Because Joe Torre is a smart, decent man who doesn't deserve to be publicly humiliated by his boss any time his team loses three games in a row.

10. Because Rudolph Giuliani is the ultimate Yankee fan.