There’s nothing quite like the good old rivalry between New York and Texas to get the blood pumping, and last night’s game was no exception. The New York Yankees took on the Houston Astros and served up a solid 9-3 victory. But of course, the real spectacle was brewing long before the first pitch was even thrown. Johnny in the Bronx was stirring up trouble and setting the tone with locals who had no qualms about expressing just how they felt about the Lone Star State and a few other topics, to say the least.
The scene was set outside the stadium where fans debated and joked about which region has the bigger ego. While Johnny skillfully confused Texas with taxes, others playfully remarked about the grandiosity of New York’s Central Park and the Big Apple. One can always count on New Yorkers to take jabs with quick wit and shrug off any notion that anything could top the Empire State. There’s nothing wrong with a little pride, even if it occasionally borders on the mythically oversized.
Curiously enough, the conversation quickly turned political, as New Yorkers were asked if they’d cheer or boo the hypothetical scenario of “Mom Donny,” the enigmatic nickname bestowed upon New York’s mayor, throwing out the first pitch. Predictably, the crowd was divided, but the boos seem to echo the city’s current sentiment about politics. It’s a wild world where the Yankees and the Mets can be the tamest rival forces on a given night. You’d almost think the audience mistook Mom Donny for someone else given the strong opinions on display.
The real grandstanding, however, came when Johnny poked at the Astros and the Democrats, asking who strikes out more. The crowd didn’t hold back — albeit a little misguided with their reasoning, their disdain for all things Houston and Democratic was as clear as day. Astonishingly, some voiced an appreciation for Obama phones, reminiscing with affection as if they’d just received a golden ticket from Willy Wonka himself. I mean, who doesn’t love a good phone with a 44th presidential seal of approval?
In true New York fashion, the piece-de-resistance came as discussions veered off into international policy, where attendees offered perplexingly varied strategies on how they’d deal with, of all things, Iran. Suggestions ranged from colonization — a method not recommended since, well, the colonial era — to more explosive solutions. Naturally, all of this was delivered with a casual irreverence that’s as New York as a bagel with a schmear. It just goes to show that no matter where you are, or who’s playing, nobody can spice up a baseball game quite like New Yorkers.
