No Bill Evans, The Pope Is Not a Yankee Fan

Most Yankee fans feel that the almighty, God, Jehovah or Mother Earth ( whatever you feel is the all powerful entity) smiles favorable on the New York Yankees. I teasingly say that to all my friends who follow the NY Mets; given how well the Yankees have done and the mediocrity the NY Mets have had to endure. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair and unbalanced. Yesterday morning on Eyewitness News, weatherman Bills Evans stated both the Pope and NY's Edward Cardinal Egan were NY Yankee fans. Well he is probably about 40% correct.

If the current Pope is anything it is probably a soccer fan. He's German, very European in his manner, and probably his papal mass at Yankee Stadium this week will be the closest he ever comes to a baseball game; especially with the boys on the road. His Eminence, the Cardinal however is a lifetime Chicago Cubs fan. The Cardinal has asserted to the NY Press that he appreciates the Yankees, and unless the NY Mets play his Cubs at Shea, he would rather take in the Yankee game. I sneakily suspect His Eminence has the MLB baseball package.

But even with that high connection to the higher power, Edward Cardinal Egan, the Chicago Cubs have still failed to lift the Curse of the Billy Goat; hence my belief that God is Yankee Fan could actually have some credence.

And in speaking of curses or attempts at them; I was shocked but not surprised yesterday to see the daughter of Gino the Jerk interviewed on the news and state "Screw New York" in reference to questions about her Father's, and apparently her allegiance to Red Sox nation. That's more then being a tough girl from the Bronx, it's almost a challenge to every nutcase to go after her. It seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Miss Manners can you please help her.

In continuing this case, the Steinbrenner family is now trying to press criminal charges against Gino. I draw my line in the sand there. The Steinbrenners are wrong, and if the Bronx DA does indict Gino, while I would have to contribute to his defense fun. As a baseball fan, I can appreciate what he did for his team. Is it criminal? No. Stupid? Yes. And frankly I don't believe in curses, and I am pretty sure that laws about hexing and cursing are probably off the books in the NY State and NYC criminal codes. And the last I looked stupidity wasn't a crime (although at times I think it should be.)

As to the Yankees, I can't wait for April to be over and warmer breezes to fill the ballparks. The cold weather is playing havoc with the Yankee bats, injuries have not helped, and a very young pitching staff has struggled. All of this amounts to April growing pains.

As to baseball, the American League East looks to be the strongest division. I saw this in the Spring with the many club changes, and if you look at the standings, despite being in 4th place right now, the Yankees are close. The other AL divisions have separation of the leaders from the slugs, and in the National league, there is at least one dog in each division cellar.