31 Reasons Why You Know You're a Sports Fan From New York

31 Reasons Why You Know You're a Sports Fan From New York

By Christopher Gamble

January 23, 2014

New York Sports Fans Have a Strong Bond With Their Teams

New York Fans — This is New York, the greatest city on earth with the best fans on earth. New Yorkers may boo their own from time to time but it’s because we love our teams and desperately want them to win. Do well and you will become immortal, just ask Derek Jeter and Mark Messier. New Yorkers don’t want anything but a championship; there is no second place in the best city in the world.

This is New York, the greatest city on earth with the best fans on earth. New Yorkers may boo their own from time to time but it’s because we love our teams and desperately want them to win. Do well and you will become immortal, just ask Derek Jeter and Mark Messier. New Yorkers don’t want anything but a championship; there is no second place in the best city in the world.

31. Fall on the Ball, Joe!

New York Sports Fans

31. Fall on the Ball, Joe!

New York Sports Fans — Joe Pisarcik is a source of pain all these years later. Come on, Joe! Fall on the ball! To this day Giants fans still don’t understand how it happened. It still hurts.

Joe Pisarcik is a source of pain all these years later. Come on, Joe! Fall on the ball! To this day Giants fans still don’t understand how it happened. It still hurts.

30. We Boo Our Players Because We Love Them

New York Sports Fans

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30. We Boo Our Players Because We Love Them

New York Sports Fans — It isn’t like we are Philadelphia fans. We boo because we care. Philly fans are just mean. We boo because we care.

It isn’t like we are Philadelphia fans. We boo because we care. Philly fans are just mean. We boo because we care.

29. You Are Convinced ESPN Legitimately Hates New York Sports Teams

New York Sports Fans

29. You Are Convinced ESPN Legitimately Hates New York Sports Teams

New York Sports Fans — It doesn’t matter who you root for in New York it seems like ESPN hates your team. This isn’t paranoia, this is truth.

It doesn’t matter who you root for in New York it seems like ESPN hates your team. This isn’t paranoia, this is truth.

28. You Secretly Blame LeBron For the Knicks' Current Woes

New York Sports Fans

28. You Secretly Blame LeBron For the Knicks' Current Woes

New York Sports Fans — The Knicks spent what seemed like decades trying to get under the cap to afford LeBron James. Knicks fans will never forgive James now, much like Michael Jordan who probably cost the Knicks at least two championships.

The Knicks spent what seemed like decades trying to get under the cap to afford LeBron James. Knicks fans will never forgive James now, much like Michael Jordan who probably cost the Knicks at least two championships.

27. Championships

New York Sports Fans

27. Championships

New York Sports Fans — Yankees fans will get this.

Yankees fans will get this.

26. Wide Right Brings a Smile To Your Face

New York Sports Fans

26. Wide Right Brings a Smile To Your Face

New York Sports Fans — Buffalo Bills fans try to remind everyone they are the only “true” New York team but they forget they don’t count. When a Bills fan tries to talk smack “Wide right!” usually shuts them up. If that doesn’t work asking how many Super Bowls their team has won usually does. Besides, they are so far away who can hear them anyway?

Buffalo Bills fans try to remind everyone they are the only “true” New York team but they forget they don’t count. When a Bills fan tries to talk smack “Wide right!” usually shuts them up. If that doesn’t work asking how many Super Bowls their team has won usually does. Besides, they are so far away who can hear them anyway?

25. You Get Angry When the Empire State Building Isn’t in Your Team’s Colors

New York Sports Fans

25. You Get Angry When the Empire State Building Isn’t in Your Team’s Colors

New York Sports Fans — Let’s face it, we don’t say it but it stings a little every time we see it lit up celebrating one of the other teams in New York. And, no, you still don’t count Buffalo.

Let’s face it, we don’t say it but it stings a little every time we see it lit up celebrating one of the other teams in New York. And, no, you still don’t count Buffalo.

24. Mark Sanchez Will Either Make You Laugh or Cry

New York Sports Fans

24. Mark Sanchez Will Either Make You Laugh or Cry

New York Sports Fans — The “Sanchize” went from potential Jets savior to the laughing stock of the NFL in about three seconds. Jets fans will either laugh or cry but either way they hate ESPN for playing the butt fumble play every week. Is that really necessary?

The “Sanchize” went from potential Jets savior to the laughing stock of the NFL in about three seconds. Jets fans will either laugh or cry but either way they hate ESPN for playing the butt fumble play every week. Is that really necessary?

23. You Swear the 1994 Season Should Count as a World Series Appearance for the Yankees

New York Sports Fans

23. You Swear the 1994 Season Should Count as a World Series Appearance for the Yankees

New York Sports Fans — Strike? The Yankees were the best team in the American League when that happened. Give ‘em a ring!

Strike? The Yankees were the best team in the American League when that happened. Give ‘em a ring!

22. Ray Handley’s Name Induces Bile to Rise in Your Throat

New York Sports Fans

22. Ray Handley’s Name Induces Bile to Rise in Your Throat

New York Sports Fans — From Super Bowl champions to the laughing stock of the NFL. This is your fault, Ray! For Jets fans the name Rich Kotite does the same thing. Excuse me, I don’t feel well enough to finish this slide.

From Super Bowl champions to the laughing stock of the NFL. This is your fault, Ray! For Jets fans the name Rich Kotite does the same thing. Excuse me, I don’t feel well enough to finish this slide.

21. You Are Thankful the "1940!" Chants Are Over

New York Sports Fans

21. You Are Thankful the "1940!" Chants Are Over

New York Sports Fans — Nothing irked Rangers’ fans more than that damn chant. Now you realize that the 1993-94 season was 20 years ago and you need medication for depression. But hey, Potvin still sucks!

Nothing irked Rangers’ fans more than that damn chant. Now you realize that the 1993-94 season was 20 years ago and you need medication for depression. But hey, Potvin still sucks!

20. You Aren't Arrogant; Your Teams Are Just Better

New York Sports Fans

20. You Aren't Arrogant; Your Teams Are Just Better

New York Sports Fans — Let’s face it; people outside of New York hate New York teams. We are loud and proud and always right. We thought we were wrong once but we were mistaken. If they don’t like it, fuhgeddaboudit.

Let’s face it; people outside of New York hate New York teams. We are loud and proud and always right. We thought we were wrong once but we were mistaken. If they don’t like it, fuhgeddaboudit.

19. Willie, Mickey, and The Duke Debates Still Take Place in Your Family

New York Sports Fans

19. Willie, Mickey, and The Duke Debates Still Take Place in Your Family

New York Sports Fans — You might never have seen them play, but around the holidays one of your uncles, who happened to be a Dodgers fan, still debates your dad who was a Yankees fan and your grandfather who was a Giants fan over who was better. You probably wish you could join the conversation but your ammunition is Bernie Williams and Carlos Beltran and you are smart enough to shut up.

You might never have seen them play, but around the holidays one of your uncles, who happened to be a Dodgers fan, still debates your dad who was a Yankees fan and your grandfather who was a Giants fan over who was better. You probably wish you could join the conversation but your ammunition is Bernie Williams and Carlos Beltran and you are smart enough to shut up.

18. You Are Convinced Joe Nathan Sold the Jets' Soul to Satan for the 1969 Super Bowl

New York Sports Fans

18. You Are Convinced Joe Nathan Sold the Jets' Soul to Satan for the 1969 Super Bowl

New York Sports Fans — What else would explain all the bad luck for the Jets since then? Ken O’Brien over Dan Marino? Kyle Brady over Warren Sapp? Mark Sanchez? Browning Nagle? Blair Thomas? Really, do I have to go on? Painful, I know, but the 1969 Super Bowl still brings a smile to your face if you are old enough to remember it. Take that Unitas!

What else would explain all the bad luck for the Jets since then? Ken O’Brien over Dan Marino? Kyle Brady over Warren Sapp? Mark Sanchez? Browning Nagle? Blair Thomas? Really, do I have to go on? Painful, I know, but the 1969 Super Bowl still brings a smile to your face if you are old enough to remember it. Take that Unitas!

17. Boston? A Rival? You're Kidding, Right?

New York Sports Fans

17. Boston? A Rival? You're Kidding, Right?

New York Sports Fans — Let’s see, 27 World Series Championships (and counting) to eight World Series Championships. Mets 1-0 against Red Sox in World Series. Giants 2-0 against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. More like our unwanted little step-child. We only notice you every once in a while and it’s usually because Boston fans cry a lot or are just loud and obnoxious and demanding attention. As soon as you point those things out they immediately bring up the Celtics.

Let’s see, 27 World Series Championships (and counting) to eight World Series Championships. Mets 1-0 against Red Sox in World Series. Giants 2-0 against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. More like our unwanted little step-child. We only notice you every once in a while and it’s usually because Boston fans cry a lot or are just loud and obnoxious and demanding attention. As soon as you point those things out they immediately bring up the Celtics.

16. We Hate Each Other But Will Sometimes Root for Each Other's Teams

New York Sports Fans

16. We Hate Each Other But Will Sometimes Root for Each Other's Teams

New York Sports Fans — Yankees playing the Braves? Mets fans root for the Yankees. Mets playing the Red Sox? Go Mets! Giants playing the Patriots? Go Giants. Jets playing the Cowboys or Eagles? Go Jets! We may hate each other but every Yankees fan was rooting for the Mets in 1986. Every Jets fan was pulling for the Giants in 2007. It might sting but it’s better than the rival winning.

Yankees playing the Braves? Mets fans root for the Yankees. Mets playing the Red Sox? Go Mets! Giants playing the Patriots? Go Giants. Jets playing the Cowboys or Eagles? Go Jets! We may hate each other but every Yankees fan was rooting for the Mets in 1986. Every Jets fan was pulling for the Giants in 2007. It might sting but it’s better than the rival winning.

15. You Think the New England Patriots Should Thank Mo Lewis

New York Sports Fans

15. You Think the New England Patriots Should Thank Mo Lewis

New York Sports Fans — Jets fans hate this but take some pride in it as well. Without Mo Lewis injuring Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady might have been nothing more than a backup who moves on to another team. Jets fans hate this but take pride in it at the same time.

Jets fans hate this but take some pride in it as well. Without Mo Lewis injuring Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady might have been nothing more than a backup who moves on to another team. Jets fans hate this but take pride in it at the same time.

14. You Don't Understand Why a Player Would Sign Anywhere Else

New York Sports Fans

14. You Don't Understand Why a Player Would Sign Anywhere Else

New York Sports Fans — Robinson Cano leaves for more money? That doesn’t compute. Why would he leave New York, the greatest city on earth for Seattle that can only offer rain and Starbucks? This makes no sense. Guess Cano didn't want to win Championships anymore.

Robinson Cano leaves for more money? That doesn’t compute. Why would he leave New York, the greatest city on earth for Seattle that can only offer rain and Starbucks? This makes no sense. Guess Cano didn't want to win Championships anymore.

13. Yankees' Jerseys Never Have to be Replaced

New York Sports Fans

13. Yankees' Jerseys Never Have to be Replaced

New York Sports Fans — If you buy an authentic Yankees’ jersey you don’t have to worry about it going out of style or the player getting traded. Oh, you bought a #25 Jason Giambi jersey? Boom! Now it’s a Mark Teixeira jersey. The only way your jersey becomes “old” is if the number gets retired and then it just becomes even better. So, leave that Kei Igawa jersey you bought while drunk in the closet and just give it a little time. It will become relevant again.

If you buy an authentic Yankees’ jersey you don’t have to worry about it going out of style or the player getting traded. Oh, you bought a #25 Jason Giambi jersey? Boom! Now it’s a Mark Teixeira jersey. The only way your jersey becomes “old” is if the number gets retired and then it just becomes even better. So, leave that Kei Igawa jersey you bought while drunk in the closet and just give it a little time. It will become relevant again.

12. You laugh at the Dallas Cowboys’ “America’s Team” Claim

New York Sports Fans

12. You laugh at the Dallas Cowboys’ “America’s Team” Claim

New York Sports Fans — Seriously? Five championships? That’s cute. Boy, 1995 sure seems like a long time ago. Everyone knows America’s Team plays in the Bronx.

Seriously? Five championships? That’s cute. Boy, 1995 sure seems like a long time ago. Everyone knows America’s Team plays in the Bronx.

11. You Know Nothing About College Football

New York Sports Fans

11. You Know Nothing About College Football

New York Sports Fans — Let’s face it; New Yorkers barely know college football exists. Sure, Syracuse might appear in a bowl game every now and then and it’s usually Syracuse alums that pay attention to that. For those living around New York City the nearest and best college football takes place at the United States Military Academy. Uh, go Army?

Let’s face it; New Yorkers barely know college football exists. Sure, Syracuse might appear in a bowl game every now and then and it’s usually Syracuse alums that pay attention to that. For those living around New York City the nearest and best college football takes place at the United States Military Academy. Uh, go Army?

10. You Don't Acknowledge the 2004 Baseball Season Ever Happened

New York Sports Fans

10. You Don't Acknowledge the 2004 Baseball Season Ever Happened

New York Sports Fans — The Mets finished 20 games under .500. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series and broke the Curse of the Bambino? Funny, I don’t remember 2004 at all.

The Mets finished 20 games under .500. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series and broke the Curse of the Bambino? Funny, I don’t remember 2004 at all.

9. You Know the 1956 Football Giants Had the Best Coaching Staff Ever Assembled

New York Sports Fans

9. You Know the 1956 Football Giants Had the Best Coaching Staff Ever Assembled

New York Sports Fans — The NFL Champion New York Giants had a coaching staff led by Jim Lee Howell and featured Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry. You’re welcome Green Bay and Dallas.

The NFL Champion New York Giants had a coaching staff led by Jim Lee Howell and featured Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry. You’re welcome Green Bay and Dallas.

8. New York Fans Expect Their Team to Sign Every Free Agent Regardless of Cost

New York Sports Fans

8. New York Fans Expect Their Team to Sign Every Free Agent Regardless of Cost

New York Sports Fans — The word “rebuild” isn’t in a New Yorker's vocabulary. We expect our team to compete every year and win every year. After all, it isn’t our money being spent. The Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Knicks, Giants, Jets and Nets are expected to be active every offseason. The Islanders get a pass because, well, they’re the Islanders but the expectations are coming back for them these days.

The word “rebuild” isn’t in a New Yorker's vocabulary. We expect our team to compete every year and win every year. After all, it isn’t our money being spent. The Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Knicks, Giants, Jets and Nets are expected to be active every offseason. The Islanders get a pass because, well, they’re the Islanders but the expectations are coming back for them these days.

7. Everybody Hates James Dolan, EVERYBODY

New York Sports Fans

7. Everybody Hates James Dolan, EVERYBODY

New York Sports Fans — Knicks and Rangers fans loathe James Dolan, who seems more interested in ripping off cable consumers and playing with his band than being a good owner. Even people who don't follow sports hate James Dolan because he owns Cablevision. Dolan still thinks Isaiah Thomas did a good job and still leans on Thomas for advice. Enough said.

Knicks and Rangers fans loathe James Dolan, who seems more interested in ripping off cable consumers and playing with his band than being a good owner. Even people who don't follow sports hate James Dolan because he owns Cablevision. Dolan still thinks Isaiah Thomas did a good job and still leans on Thomas for advice. Enough said.

6. You Know the Giants and Jets Play in New Jersey But You Don't Acknowledge It Unless You Live in NJ

New York Sports Fans

6. You Know the Giants and Jets Play in New Jersey But You Don't Acknowledge It Unless You Live in NJ

New York Sports Fans — You don’t need to hear from Buffalo Bills fans that their team is the only football team in New York. Heck, you don’t consider Buffalo to be part of the US let alone New York.

You don’t need to hear from Buffalo Bills fans that their team is the only football team in New York. Heck, you don’t consider Buffalo to be part of the US let alone New York.

5. "Grand Slam Single" Brings a Smile to Your Face

New York Sports Fans

5. "Grand Slam Single" Brings a Smile to Your Face

New York Sports Fans — Every Mets fan knows about Robin Ventura’s walk-off grand slam single in Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS that beat the Atlanta Braves.

Every Mets fan knows about Robin Ventura’s walk-off grand slam single in Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS that beat the Atlanta Braves.

4. Bucky Dent and Aaron Boone are Immortals

New York Sports Fans

4. Bucky Dent and Aaron Boone are Immortals

New York Sports Fans — The mere mention of these players’ names brings smiles to the face of Yankees fans and sends a dagger through the heart of Boston Red Sox fans which makes the Yankees’ fans smile even more.

The mere mention of these players’ names brings smiles to the face of Yankees fans and sends a dagger through the heart of Boston Red Sox fans which makes the Yankees’ fans smile even more.

3. Everyone Hates Alex Rodriguez

New York Sports Fans

3. Everyone Hates Alex Rodriguez

New York Sports Fans — Even the majority of Yankees’ fans will acknowledge they hate A-Rod but even those haters have to acknowledge the Yankees wouldn’t have made it to the 2009 World Series without him. But, we still hate him.

Even the majority of Yankees’ fans will acknowledge they hate A-Rod but even those haters have to acknowledge the Yankees wouldn’t have made it to the 2009 World Series without him. But, we still hate him.

2. You Genuflect at the Mention of Certain Players' Names

New York Sports Fans

2. You Genuflect at the Mention of Certain Players' Names

New York Sports Fans — Derek Jeter, Lawrence Taylor, Mariano Rivera, Mark Messier, Mike Bossy, Patrick Ewing, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Tom Seaver, Joe Namath, the list goes on and on. Every team in New York has their own Mount Rushmore and each one has their special place in the hearts of fans.

Derek Jeter, Lawrence Taylor, Mariano Rivera, Mark Messier, Mike Bossy, Patrick Ewing, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Tom Seaver, Joe Namath, the list goes on and on. Every team in New York has their own Mount Rushmore and each one has their special place in the hearts of fans.

1. 1969 Was a Magical Year

New York Sports Fans

1. 1969 Was a Magical Year

New York Sports Fans — The Mets and Jets shock the world, even New Yorkers were surprised.

The Mets and Jets shock the world, even New Yorkers were surprised.

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