Why do Dominicans hate the Yankees?

[El Tigre]

So I got into baseball just recently (4 years ago). My favorite team has always been the NY Yankees but to my surprise most of my fellow Dominicans despise them. They prefer Boston. In my family me and 4 others are the only Yankee fans. I have a pretty large family so you can imagine what it feels like when Boston is on top of the Yankees...I get text messages, phone calls making fun etc. When I ask my family members who have been into baseball way longer than I have why they hate the Yankees the answer is always: YANKEES ARE RACIST and don't have many Dominican players. To me this is a load of BS because of all the Dominicans that have played with the team.

Are my missing something here? Was it just recently (past 10 years) that the Yankees started contracting Dominican players?

I don't mean to stir up any kind of heated discussion with this. I just want to get a general understanding around this subject matter

[Frank the Tank]

That is the first I have heard that. I think the recent increase in the amount of Dominicans that are Sox fans has to do with the popularity of Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. Compound that with the Sox winning a few WS in recent years. Maybe you should ask them, besides those 3 how many other Dominicans were on the Sox roster during that time? The Yankee roster of today is full of Dominicans. Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, and Damaso Marte. Besides Ortiz, how many Dominicans play for the Sox today??

[Celt202]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

.... Besides Ortiz, how many Dominicans play for the Sox today??

Ortiz is now "playing" as if he were 45 years old. Dodgy birth certificate? His very impressive career may be nearing the end.

I know many Dominicans in Santo Trafficjam who have shifted their allegiance to the Yankees. With many their pride rests in the players before the team.

[Chip]

The yanquis ball cap is still the preferred one here in the DR.

[Bronxboy]

Originally Posted by Chip

The yanquis ball cap is still the preferred one here in the DR.

yeah!!!!!!!:b unny:

[Cleef]

Originally Posted by Chip

The yanquis ball cap is still the preferred one here in the DR.

I saw plenty of MFY caps in the DR.

I think many Dominicans swing their allegiance depending on the standings. Also, as pointed out, with Pedro and Ortiz having success with the Sox more recently, and both being rather beloved countryman, that explains any shift, in my opinion.

I would think any communities that are rich in Dominicans (Jamaica Plain in Boston, Washington Heights in NY) are going to get the majority of Dominicans behind them. Being a 'homer' will keep your allegiance to your local ballclub, but with Dominicans their affinity for teams really comes down to who is playing for them - countryman (as pointed out by Celt).

Off the top of my head, the Sox have Lugo, Ortiz and there certainly is some residual from Planet Manny.

The MFYs have more active Dominicans, although laying claim to MeRod is not something all Dominicans are supportive of, and may even turn them away.

[ExtremeR]

Yankees winning every year in the second half of 90's has something to do with it, plus by that time the Sox had Pedro and Manny, and later Papi. Those 3 guys were the most popular player in the DR in one team, and as you know the Sox and the Yanks don't get along too well.

[ExtremeR]

Originally Posted by Cleef

I saw plenty of MFY caps in the DR.

I think many Dominicans swing their allegiance depending on the standings. Also, as pointed out, with Pedro and Ortiz having success with the Sox more recently, and both being rather beloved countryman, that explains any shift, in my opinion.

I would think any communities that are rich in Dominicans (Jamaica Plain in Boston, Washington Heights in NY) are going to get the majority of Dominicans behind them. Being a 'homer' will keep your allegiance to your local ballclub, but with Dominicans their affinity for teams really comes down to who is playing for them - countryman (as pointed out by Celt).

Off the top of my head, the Sox have Lugo, Ortiz and there certainly is some residual from Planet Manny.

The MFYs have more active Dominicans, although laying claim to MeRod is not something all Dominicans are supportive of, and may even turn them away.

Standings has nothing to do with it, more likely Dominican players on the team...

[Celt202]

When the Red Sox came from 3 down in the ALCS in 2004 as each game progressed the noise level in Santo Calor increased with every game.

When the Red Sox won the seventh game the city erupted.

When Pedro went the Mets I know people who switched their allegiance to the Mets.

(MFM's just doesn't work like MFY's though, does it?)

[Hillbilly]

The Yankees signed Damasito Garcia out of college and two years later he was on second base...1976 or so,...
But there are other reasons.
1) the Aguilas and Licey are the two most popular teams in DR baseball.
2) For years the Pirates and the Dodgers were the MLB ball team that sent the most players to these two rivals.
3) The Yankees never took much part in DR Winter League...so no fan base created.
In fact most AL teams ignored the DRWL.
Steve Yeager, Lasorda were here, so were Dock Ellis, Willie Stargell, Bob Robertson, George Foster (dubbed "cachimbito" by the fans). Gene Garber ate Thanksgiving in our house...Way back when, Sad Sam Jones used to walk the streets of Santiago with a portable record player, and he never got very far before someone invited him in to play records and socialize...

Them wus da days!!!

HB