Yesterday, Craig Calcaterra slammed Yankees fans for being classless and arrogant. Why? Because they supposedly booed Javier Vazquez during yesterday’s game.
These boos are almost certainly a function of people thinking back to 2004, which is amazingly weak given that, you know, the team just won the World Series five months ago. For a fan base that fancies itself so much more knowledgeable than anyone else’s, this was pretty bad.
Was Calcattera actually at the game? I was, and quite frankly, his take is a gross exaggeration of reality. Javier Vazquez was not booed. Sure, there were some audible groans when he gave up runs in the 3rd and 6th innings, but that’s what usually happens when the Yankees give up runs. For the most part, yesterday’s crowd was a very passive one, both for good and bad. Even when Vazquez walked off the mound the response was mostly indifferent, with a few offering polite applause and even fewer mildly voicing their displeasure. That does not count as “booing”…at least not in Yankee Stadium. Just ask Ed Whitson or Carl Pavano.
Yankee fans are far from perfect, and they have been guilty of senseless booing (see Arod). However, in this instance, Calcattera’s rant is much ado about nothing. If he is going to level such inflammatory criticisms, it would be nice if he was at least basing it off a first-hand account. Who knew that tweets about what one fan says were sufficient to form such a strong opinion.
Except, Will, as I told you over in the comments section of my blog, I was watching the game on TV and heard the boos myself, that several people I know were at the game and confirmed the boos and that multiple writers who were sitting in the press box yesterday have spoken about the booing as well.
Feel free to disagree with me about the implications of the boos. Maybe you’re right and I’m making too much of it (you wouldn’t be alone in thinking that). But your denial of that there was considerable booing of Vazquez — including the fact that it, and chants like “we want Melky” were happening as early as the first inning — are simply denials of reality.
Hey there:
I was trying to reply further, but kept getting an error. A couple of points…last year, I would come home from games thinking the Stadium was rocking and then hear from those watching at home that it sounded quiet. Then, on Opening Day, I thought it was a dead crowd, but the replay on YES made it sound loud. Maybe YES has adjusted its audio to pick up more crowd noise?
As for those tweeting, especially writers, I think they are exaggerating the events to fit the better story (Vazquez booed off the mound, memories of 2004 still haunt). Any non-established Yankee who has had a bad performance will be met with a smattering of boos. That’s what I experienced at the game…not a lusty booing. I am not denying that there was negative sentiment…just stating that it was not to the degree that you are suggesting. As for the Melky chant, I never heard his name mentioned at all. Have others confirmed that too? Or is that the product of one tweet?
Finally, did you notice the booing that Mike Gonzalez got for blowing the Orioles home opener? It was resounding. Yet, no one made mention, much less kill Orioles fans over it. It would be one thing to post saying “Yankee fans were wrong to boo Javy”, regardless of the severity, but stating “Yankee fans are classless” implies that such behavior is unique to them. Obviously, that isn’t the case.
Easy for people to pick on the Yankees and their fans (Rob Neyer, anyone?) I just ignore it, it’s predictable and boring. I checked out Calcaterra’s blog last season but generally didn’t find it too interesting..will sitck the BB, Keith Law, J. Keri, Lohud and now the Captain’s Blog! (and even keeping it to 5 I often miss days..how do you find the time for the Banter and then write-ups here?!?)