The defamation suit filed by Roger Clemens against Brian McNamee has resulted in some unintended consequences for the Rocket. Lots of allegations against him regarding his personal life (which his suit claimed pointed to his sterling character). You could see this coming, but it is still sad whether the allegations are true or not. Roger issued a Giambi-like apology while denying the allegations. My, that was helpful. Either he has the worst lawyer ever, or he is the worst client ever. This rivals the Seinfeld episodes with Kramer’s fast-talking lawyer to whom he never listened.
But another story caught my eye. It took place in Nashua, NH. This would be the small New England city in which I grew up. It involved fans of the Red Sox and a Yankees fan. And what unfolded was a pathetic testimony to how some people take this thing way too seriously.
I am an avid Red Sox fan. I’ll admit I’ve had a few lively dialogues while attending games in Tampa (actually the Rays play in St. Pete which is an additional 45 minutes away). Mostly that was challenging outrageous claims on omniscience on the part of Rays fans. I once asked a guy if he was God since he seemed to know so much about the motivation of a man he never met.
The Yankees are our “arch enemy”. I saw some ugly events as a child in Fenway sitting in the right field seats in the late 70’s. Reggie Jackson was verbally abused continuously. Yankees’ fans were also attacked verbally and with beverages. I do not condone any of those actions, but detest them. Some of my best friends are Yankees’ fans. We have a playful rivalry, not one that is life and death. I’ve even watched them play one another, in the playoffs, with some of my Yankee fan friends.
But, in Nashua things got ugly after a fist fight between 2 women (what are we coming to?). One stomped off to her car and the crowd noticed the Yankees’ bumper sticker. The taunts began. [for the record, you may not like the Yankees, but they certainly do not stink or any related term.] She responded by driving straight for the crowd. Admittedly she had been drinking and her decision-making process somewhat impaired. Theirs undoubtedly was too. For she thought they’d move; and they thought she’d stop. But she ran into the crowd killing a man.
Sports is no reason to kill a person. Yet this happens all over the world, not just in Nashua, NH. We will never be able to coexist as long as we gain our identity in someone or something other than Christ. We will protect our idols, even if we have to kill. This, folks, is who we are- all too often.
Cavman Considers 