Given all
the articles and afternoon talk shows dedicated to the topic of raising ethical
and well-adjusted children, it continues to amaze me how many parents error on a
critical first step that will shape their child’s development. When faced with the decision of steering
their kids towards a lifetime of rooting for the Mets or the Yankees, most
parents continue to choose the Bronx Bombers, thus setting the training wheels
in motion for a lifetime of frustration, unrealized expectations and an
inability to celebrate the small achievements in their lives.
Since I am
sure no one will be offended by my previous statements, I will provide irrefutable
support for my opinions. Ever since the dawning
of the George Steinbrenner era, Yankee fans have been characterized by a sense
of entitlement that accepts nothing short of a world championship. A team of all-stars at every position has become
the norm with the best players being lured into pinstripes at prices that no
other team could match. And when one of
these all-stars became injured for more than two weeks, he was immediately
replaced by another high priced all-star from a team that could no longer
afford him. While George’s son, Hal has
taken a more conservative approach to spending, today’s Yankee fans have become
more impatient and irrational in their expectations. Many are unhappy and even depressed despite
what is viewed as a very good, if not championship caliber team.
Met fans on
the other hand are a grateful and appreciative lot. We enter each season with the lowest of
expectations. For years, there has been
no serious hope of making the post season so we endure and even thrive by learning
to celebrate the smallest achievements that come our way. The impressive debut of a minor league
pitching prospect, the slumping batter who finally gets a hit after going 0 for
23, the joy of a three game winning streak…all are relished and fawned upon as
signs of a better tomorrow. We may not
have experienced a World Championship in 27 years, but we have acquired an enviable
resilience that helps us look forward to brighter horizons while accepting the
fact that the best things in life aren’t always destined for our doorstep. We have learned to smile at our own faults
and more than most, we have learned how to be content. Last year when our team was in contention
through the all-star break before falling apart at the seams, Met fans
appreciated that our team was able to last so long. Yankee fans on the other hand would have been
calling for heads to be served up based on the second half meltdown.
So parents, especially
Yankee fans yourselves, can you do what’s best for your children and do what
your parents neglected to do for you?
Guide your children towards Queens and the Mets. Every parent wants to see their children
succeed in a way they never did.
Choosing the orange and blue is a step in the right direction and one of
the most selfless acts you will ever do.
And if you need help in justifying your decision, I have summarized the
reasons why young Met fans are destined to grow up to be happier and better adjusted
adults with a set of values that parents relish.
10 REASONS WHY THE ROAD TO A HAPPIER CHILD BEGINS IN FLUSHING
1. Met children don’t expect Dad to fix every
problem by throwing money at it.
2. Met children know how to appreciate
what they have.
3. Met children have a sunny disposition
and are always looking forward to tomorrow (kind of like Annie).
4. Met children have empathy and
compassion for the underdog.
5. Met children are content with their
lives.
6. Met children learn how to be fun and
spontaneous (You can’t wake up one day and say let’s go to a Yankee game. Met children and their dads can wait until
the last minute and still get pretty good seats).
7. Met children are never boastful.
8. Met children do not feel entitled to
the best money can buy.
9. Met children accept themselves for
who they are.
10. Met children (and their fathers) learn
not to take themselves too seriously 8-)
As a lifelong Yankee fan ( not by my father's doing), I suffered through the post Mantle era, when the team was horrible.
ReplyDeleteThe tradition and expectation to win actually empowers our children to achieve, not to feel entitled.
Just another view.
I learned to expect less when, as a young child at my first Mets game, I did not get to, "Meet the Mets," as promised. -LA
ReplyDeleteUmm, don't forget MOTHERS!!! I am the mother of a 5 year old girl and I am a die-hard Mets fan!!! And I know other women who are just as passionate about the orange & blue (and not just because they think David Wright is oh so cute). Don't forget us :)
ReplyDeleteCould never forget mothers. Some of them are my favorite people. And for what its worth, women who are met fans also wind up with more down to earth guys who are better fathers and role models for their children ;-)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post! Really like your writing style.
ReplyDeleteLove! This is amazin'. As a fierce Met fan - and the daughter of a Met fan - I have to say that this is all true :) And - Met fans tend to find each other in a crowd...
ReplyDelete