Hate the Yankees? Ya' still have to love Mo'

The New York Yankees are one of those polarizing elements in sports.  You either love them or hate them.  There probably are a few other teams littered through pro and college sports that bring strong emotions on one side or another.  I think the Yankees have been in that class for a long time.  That's what winning regularly does.

But if you are simply a baseball.  Just enjoying the game for what it is, you were doing what I did Tuesday night.  That is you simplly wanted to watch the game.  Get a glimpse of your favorite players or guys you don't get to see very often and have fun.  Maybe share it with other friends, and family members (like my three old).  Even if you absolutely hate the Yankees, you have to have loved the Mariano Rivera moment in the game.

I truly believed that I was fortunate to be a part of one of those historical moments in sports.  Much to my wife's disdain, I toss that phrase around perhaps a little too much - "historical moment" - when watching a sporting event (and trying to entice her to join me - "This is history in the making" - and then I watch her eyes roll).  But seeing Rivera come in from the bullpen, the applause getting louder and louder as he jogged in, people starting to stand.  Then, by the time he gets to the mound, he sees players from both dugouts jumping out over the fence and in front standing and clapping.  I don't care what team you love or hate, if you simply love great moments in sports, that was it. 

Here was the greatest relieve in the history of the game, being almost drawn to tears in front of a packed crowd and national television audience.  He was that moved.  A great moment for a great player.  Not sure I agreed with him winning the MVP, but it still was a time capturing snaphsot that will be replayed thousands of times.

Love the Yanks or hate 'em.  You still gotta love Mo'.