Spring Break
A 'Hank'ering For Controversy
New England Sports
Chris Brodeur
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Sports
Whatever mystery expletive it was that Hank Steinbrenner uttered in reference to Red Sox Nation last week, it hasn't exactly endeared him to Boston fans. They've probably got some choice words for him that can't be printed, either.
The censored rant he unleashed in The New York Times Play Magazine may have even irked some Yankees fans, as many seem less than thrilled with the notion of a second helping of Steinbrenner hanging over their team from the owner's box.
While I think I have a pretty good idea of the word the papers have shielded me from, I can't say it bothers me too much. In fact, Hank's tirade has had the opposite effect. It got me amped up for April 11, when the two teams start their season series at Fenway Park and the annual divisional dogfight begins.
In suggesting that Red Sox Nation is some kind of cheesy media movement concocted by ESPN and that it lacks the substance of what he calls "Yankee country," the son of "The Boss" officially asserted himself as the new nemesis of "the nation" and joined the ever-changing cast of characters in baseball's best drama.
Red Sox versus Yankees is undoubtedly the best rivalry the sports world has to offer, but lately, a serious shortage of theatrics and controversy have made the last couple of installments of the saga somewhat disappointing. There's been no exchanging of barbs in clubhouse interviews. No bench-clearing brawls. And without a playoff meeting since their epic ALCS duel in 2004, a lack of meaningful games to be played. I actually like what Steinbrenner's doing to stir things up, intentionally or not, and I hope it ignites both sides as the season approaches.
Whether you see him as a courageous leader or as the newest villain to enter the fray, Steinbrenner is doing his part to reinvigorate a rusty rivalry. And if you've been monitoring his antics since he took over for his father in 2005, his outspoken brand of bravado is nothing new. The eldest son of legendary Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has been spouting off from the moment he stepped in for his dad, giving us a glimpse of the vintage New York boss we haven't seen in years. The only way to find that kind of enthusiasm from the owner of the Yankees in recent seasons was to watch Oliver Platt's portrayal of Steinbrenner on ESPN's "The Bronx is Burning."
The censored rant he unleashed in The New York Times Play Magazine may have even irked some Yankees fans, as many seem less than thrilled with the notion of a second helping of Steinbrenner hanging over their team from the owner's box.
While I think I have a pretty good idea of the word the papers have shielded me from, I can't say it bothers me too much. In fact, Hank's tirade has had the opposite effect. It got me amped up for April 11, when the two teams start their season series at Fenway Park and the annual divisional dogfight begins.
In suggesting that Red Sox Nation is some kind of cheesy media movement concocted by ESPN and that it lacks the substance of what he calls "Yankee country," the son of "The Boss" officially asserted himself as the new nemesis of "the nation" and joined the ever-changing cast of characters in baseball's best drama.
Red Sox versus Yankees is undoubtedly the best rivalry the sports world has to offer, but lately, a serious shortage of theatrics and controversy have made the last couple of installments of the saga somewhat disappointing. There's been no exchanging of barbs in clubhouse interviews. No bench-clearing brawls. And without a playoff meeting since their epic ALCS duel in 2004, a lack of meaningful games to be played. I actually like what Steinbrenner's doing to stir things up, intentionally or not, and I hope it ignites both sides as the season approaches.
Whether you see him as a courageous leader or as the newest villain to enter the fray, Steinbrenner is doing his part to reinvigorate a rusty rivalry. And if you've been monitoring his antics since he took over for his father in 2005, his outspoken brand of bravado is nothing new. The eldest son of legendary Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has been spouting off from the moment he stepped in for his dad, giving us a glimpse of the vintage New York boss we haven't seen in years. The only way to find that kind of enthusiasm from the owner of the Yankees in recent seasons was to watch Oliver Platt's portrayal of Steinbrenner on ESPN's "The Bronx is Burning."
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