Posted: 04/18/07

The fatal flaw
Can a relationship between a Red Sox fan and Yankee fan actually work?

Justin Veiga | managing editor
jveiga@smcvt.edu

My older brother, Brent, is a great guy. We certainly had our battles in the past, whether due to a discrepancy playing street hockey in our driveway or the fact that candy would “magically” disappear from my secret stash. But all in all, I looked up to him. I had always relied on Brent, as he is three years my elder, for knowledge and advice when it came to the three key aspects of my young adult life: school, sports, and relationships with women.

But that all changed when he left for Clarkson University in upstate New York . Well, partially changed would be more accurate. Most of what I picked up on from Brent was the result of observation. I was the little copycat brother. If Brent did this or that, why shouldn’t I?

That was my theory, at least until my brother started bringing home girlfriends from Clarkson. They were all, for the most part, smart, attractive, and kind. But as the family got to know each one, we picked up on the same reoccurring fatal flaw: they were all Yankee fans. And no matter how much of it you’ve got, beauty means nothing if you cheer for the guys in pinstripes.

This was really no fault of Brent’s. He was after all in Yankee territory and therefore working with limited options, but of course I still harassed him for getting involved with women from the Evil Empire.

Seeing Brent with ladies who think Derek Jeter is the best player ever made me realize that looking to him for advice on women maybe wasn’t the best idea. My younger brother copycat theory was waning, but when none of his inter-American League rival affairs lasted, it sparked another, perhaps even more critical theory: A Sox fan and Yankee fan, by the laws of nature, should not attempt to form a meaningful relationship. There’s just too much angst between the two even before that first date occurs. It’s simply a cursed endeavor.

Right?

Meet St. Michael’s College seniors Ryan Dulude and Meggan Roberge. Both are from Vermont ; both play for the school on their respective diamonds; both hate the other’s favorite team.

“The biggest problem I have with Red Sox fans is that they’re not Red Sox fans, they’re Yankee haters,” Roberge says with disgust.

Dulude was certainly very quick to point out the Yanks imperfections this season.

“When it comes down to the playoffs, it’s all about [starting] pitching.” And the Yankees just don’t have it this year, Dulude says.

But Roberge highlighted the Yankee’s strengths, and the assets that the Sox lack, succinctly and with relative ease.

“The Yankees will win the World Series this year because of the leadership of Joe Torre, the work ethic of Derek Jeter, the consistency of Mariano Rivera, and the history and tradition of the team.”

And just when I thought the trash talking levels would hit new heights, Dulude temporarily conceded.

“Jeter is a great captain and Joe Torre is a great manager. I don’t completely bash the Yankees.”

And though she says it was tough, Roberge was able to put a brief halt on her hate of the Sox. Dulude recently celebrated his 22nd birthday and Roberge, in a public place no less, put aside their baseball differences and bought him a Jason Varitek t-shirt.

I certainly applaud her maturity, but I wouldn’t be caught dead buying a Yankees t-shirt, even if it was for my favorite little Bronx Bombers fan, miss Jennifer Lopez. I have a hard enough time watching Yankee highlights in the privacy of my own home (I swear it’s only to see if the Sox did better). Making pinstripe purchases in front of others would make me dreadfully queasy.

But the two appeared to have reached a compromise for the summer. Dulude will take in a Yankee game at the Stadium, and Roberge will check out the Sox at Fenway Park. Trash talking aside, both agree that they’ll have a good time with the rivalry, being that this is their first baseball season as a couple.

So Megg and Ryan, despite the fact that your families had the same reaction to your significant other’s baseball beliefs and practices as my dad and I had to all of those Clarkson girls Brent brought home, can a relationship between a Red Sox fan and a Yankee fan survive?

“It’s definitely possible,” Dulude says assuredly. “Just as long as the kids are Red Sox fans.”