BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??

Subject: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 11:14 PM

O.k., I made a joke recently with a local Camden-raised Philly-fan friend that this world series (Yankees v. Phillies) would cause a "civil war" among baseball fans in New Jersey (north v. south).

And I find I'm not the only one thinking of it:
The Yankees-Phillies divide in New Jersey
The Turnpike Series: Phillies & Yankees divide NJ - Part I
The Turnpike Series: Phillies & Yankees divide NJ - Part II

Today, I am wondering whether there is any similar effect in Pennsylvania?? My ex, who spent some formative years in Pittsburgh, is a Yankees fan (if he has to choose). My cousin, who grew up only just on the Ohio side of the state line (Steubenville) is also a Yankees fan.

Azizi, are you out there? Does Pittsburgh swing with Phila., or the other way? (So to speak...)

~ Becky in Tucson
who doesn't really follow the actual game...

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 11:26 PM

And, for the Jerseyites, I refer you to the past thread, BS: New Jersey State Song for general nostalgic Jersey discussion (including N v. S).

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: EBarnacle
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 12:11 AM

The reason the Yankees had to win in 6 instead of 7 was to avoid the transit strike which was begun after Game 5.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 12:14 AM

My ex says that his Yankees fandom arose from his elementary school days outside Buffalo, not middle school in Pittsburgh. Apparently the Pittsburgh years were not good for the Yankees (post- '61 Series).

Still wondering about real Pittsburghers...

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: JJ
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 08:35 AM

I grew up south of Pittsburgh in the Fifties and early Sixties. The seminal sporting event of my youth was the 1960 defeat of the New York Yankees by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Bill Mazeroski's home run.

And although I have lived in New York City for more than 33 years, I still harbor a deep and abiding loathing for the Yankees.

I believe you will find few Yankee fans among Western Pennsylvanians of my generation...

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: SharonA
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 03:59 PM

I live in the Philadelphia suburbs, so I can't speak for those in western PA, but I can say that if the shoe had been on the other foot -- if the Series had been between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the NY Yankees, I would have been rooting for the Pirates...

a) In the Series, I typically root for the National League team, whichever it is, since the Phillies are in the National League. IMO, the American League does not play true baseball because of the designated-hitter setup, which violates the whole idea of baseball (where each player plays offense AND defense).

b) Philadelphia sports enthusiasts hate New York teams of any sort. New York is a rival city in many ways, not just in sports.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 05:43 PM

Philly and the 'Burg = arch rivals

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: JJ
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 08:23 AM

It's true that in most things, Philly and the Burgh are enemies to the knife. I imagine that few Steeler fans would root for the Eagles in the Super Bowl, even if they were playing the New York Jets.

But when it comes to the Yankees...

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: EBarnacle
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 09:23 AM

Having lived in both cities, it is clear that the roots of the rivalry go back to the days when Philly was superseded by New York politically, economically and culturally.

While others waste bile on hating New York, most New Yorkers are too busy getting on with their business to be bothered.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: SharonA
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 10:01 PM

Susan, Philly and Pittsburgh are "friendly rivals" rather than "arch rivals". The Phillies and the Mets are arch rivals. The Phillies and the Yankees are archer, if not the archest.

EBarnacle, you are correct about the roots of the rivalry, though I dispute your claim that NY superseded Philly culturally. More is not necessarily better culturally.

To return to Becky's original question about rivalry between northern New Jersey and southern New Jersey, that state has been waging a civil war long before this year's baseball games. A few years ago, there was some talk about splitting it into two states officially, creating a 51st state.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: JJ
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 08:46 AM

It was Ben Franklin, I believe, who called New Jersey "a cask tapped at both ends," dominated in the north by New York and in the south by Philadelphia.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 09:16 AM

In England the the term for this kind of thing, where supporters of neighbouring teams loathe each other, is "a derby". It can turn very ugly sometimes. People have been killed.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: JJ
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 08:51 AM

Fans in Philadelphia are famous for having once booed Santa Claus, but I don't think anyone in either city was killed this year.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 01:15 PM

Philadelphia and New York are not quite so close neighbors as those in England likely are... New Jersey providing the buffer.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Turnpike Series' - in PA, too??
From: EBarnacle
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 03:04 AM

Bear in mind that part of New Jersey was below the Mason Dixon line. This in itself has added to our statewide schizophrenia.