When Words Collide, Sentences Form

We'll take Theo.

Based on Page 2 writer Jim Caple's eval of Theo Epstein's departure from Boston, I'll beat the Red Sox fans to the joke (which they won't get around to coming up with until they get over their sadness enough to remember that this is a way to make cracks about the Yankees. And, it what Yankees fans are best at - beating Red Sox fans to their jokes about the Yankees - cause we're smart enough to do that. Have you ever heard a Red Sox fan beat anyone to a self-depricating joke? No, cause A) they aren't smart enough to do it and B) they can't take a joke from anyone. New Yorkers are smart and tough with a sense of humor. Go Yankees.).

Senor Caple said:
"It's hard to know for sure, because of the way the mainstream media, talk radio and blogosphere have buried this story, but Epstein apparently left the Red Sox because he didn't always see eye-to-eye with team president Larry Lucchino. This is a startling development, of course, because it makes him the first person in history who did not get along with his boss.
And who can blame him? After all, Lucchino only hired Epstein a decade ago, then made him the game's youngest general manager, then gave him the second-largest budget in baseball to work with, and then offered him a $4.5 million contract to stay. The gall! Imagine working for such an ogre. That is so much worse than what Brian Cashman or Terry Ryan ever have to deal with."

Red Sox Fan's Punch Line:
"Sounds like he's perfect for the Yankees."

And What Yankees Fans Will Say:
"We'll take him!"

What Red Sox fans fail to realize is that regardless of who we have, there is always someone else out there that can make you better or help you along. And regardless of former alliances, we'll take them! You would think that the Red Sox would understand that, considering their pitching staff in the last few years has spent a few games in Yankees pinstripes themselves.

And what Red Sox fans will also fail to realize in all of this, by putting down the Yankees by saying that Epstein is perfect for them, they are also putting down themselves. But good for them for not seeing the whole story in a joke. It lets them keep the stars in their eyes. And brings them back to their pre-2004 success misery. I'm glad that the Red Sox will have something to make them sad in 2006. They were just too damn happy in 2005. It wasn't natural for them and they weren't sure how to react all year. Their hearts weren't into their "Yankees Sucks" cheers. It really took some of the fun out of it for the Yankees fans. It's hard to have your "A Game" on in a rivalry if your opponents just aren't up to it.

I have already spent too much time reading ESPN.com this morning.

posted by Steph @ 6:55 AM