Rivalries
I sent out this reply to a recent article I read about the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. The article in the Bangor Daily News written by Larry Mahoney was titled "Sox-Yanks Best Rivalry in Sports"
(http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=96938&z=58)
Ref: Your article on the Red Sox - Yankees rivalry
I'm sorry sir, but I don't think so. For one, it's not much of arivalry, when, for 86 years, one team has never beaten the other in a series that mattered.
Also, it's precisely the kind of narrow minded thinking that has caused this self-absorbed "me only" mania in the country. What about the great football (soccer) rivalries in europe? There are rivalries whose passion can never be matched by a game between two cities in the same region in the same country.
World series? Give me a break. Why? Because Toronto is included?
No sir. The greatest sports rivalries are not between cities inaffluent cities. They're between regions, states and nations where the game has a significance greater(at times) than peoples' lives. When the game has the potential to raise people's spirits and restore their faith in the glory of life. The old firm...Celtic - Rangers (I certainly hope you realize that such a rivalry exists), Barça v RealMadrid (catalunya against spain), River Plate v Boca Juniors...national rivalries - Holland v Germany... and all this in just one single sport (the most popular sport in the world, conveniently ignored here).
The Yankees - Sox might be the greatest baseball rivalry no doubt, but all I ask of the you, even in your self-indulgent american sport worship, is to acknowledge the significance of people's feelings towards the other BIG rivalries. Rivalries that incite feelings of nationalism and patriotism that americans are never, ever going to feel. All I ask of you, is to peep out of your safe little nest, recognize that there is a world outsideof this country and that they feel things too... including passion! For too long now, americans have alienated themselves from the rest of the world... cocooning themselves in a cozy little world where they cannot really get hurt (because they play against themselves). For influential writers like you to dare to look beyond the boundaries is as good a way as any, to break the shackles.
Thank you for your time. I would certainly appreciate if you could get back to me with your opinions on these issues.
Cheers.
(http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=96938&z=58)
Ref: Your article on the Red Sox - Yankees rivalry
I'm sorry sir, but I don't think so. For one, it's not much of arivalry, when, for 86 years, one team has never beaten the other in a series that mattered.
Also, it's precisely the kind of narrow minded thinking that has caused this self-absorbed "me only" mania in the country. What about the great football (soccer) rivalries in europe? There are rivalries whose passion can never be matched by a game between two cities in the same region in the same country.
World series? Give me a break. Why? Because Toronto is included?
No sir. The greatest sports rivalries are not between cities inaffluent cities. They're between regions, states and nations where the game has a significance greater(at times) than peoples' lives. When the game has the potential to raise people's spirits and restore their faith in the glory of life. The old firm...Celtic - Rangers (I certainly hope you realize that such a rivalry exists), Barça v RealMadrid (catalunya against spain), River Plate v Boca Juniors...national rivalries - Holland v Germany... and all this in just one single sport (the most popular sport in the world, conveniently ignored here).
The Yankees - Sox might be the greatest baseball rivalry no doubt, but all I ask of the you, even in your self-indulgent american sport worship, is to acknowledge the significance of people's feelings towards the other BIG rivalries. Rivalries that incite feelings of nationalism and patriotism that americans are never, ever going to feel. All I ask of you, is to peep out of your safe little nest, recognize that there is a world outsideof this country and that they feel things too... including passion! For too long now, americans have alienated themselves from the rest of the world... cocooning themselves in a cozy little world where they cannot really get hurt (because they play against themselves). For influential writers like you to dare to look beyond the boundaries is as good a way as any, to break the shackles.
Thank you for your time. I would certainly appreciate if you could get back to me with your opinions on these issues.
Cheers.
posted by Harish at 18:14
2 Comments:
If and when he replies, I'd like to read what he had to say! :)
Me too, ra. Me too.
I'd love to hear what he has to say as well.
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