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The number one reason to hate the New York Yankees is undoubtedly the sense of entitlement and arrogance the whole organization possesses, and which their championship filled history has given them. They are like a caricature of a very rich and successful person who constantly flouts their achievements without shame, as they want the whole world to know just how amazing they really are. Actually, it kind of reminds you of the head of the organization, Mr. Steinbrenner, in many ways, doesn't it? Loud. Brash. Arrogant. You get the idea. So typically New York.

And really, it all gets down to this personality trait which seems to permeate not only the entire organization, but also the fans and the media in general, who assume the Yankees are the center of the baseball universe, and even when they shouldn't be. It doesn't matter where you are or which game you're watching, somehow there will always be some passing reference to some great Yankees team, or some great Yankees player from days of old. It's as if the Yankees organization is the gold standard by which every other team is measured and compared to, and which sadly never quite measures up to because the Yankees have been so disgustingly good through various eras and had players in their line-up that look like a who's who list of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

And because of this, it's almost as if there is an unwritten rule that the Yankees always have to be a part of the game, even when they're not involved in it, because baseball just isn't the same without the greatest and most successful franchise in North American sports history.

But let's take a look at the whole personality thing for a moment. For those of us who have been to more than just a few games of baseball involving our particular favourite team and the Yankees, the adrenalin rush is like nothing else you've ever felt. Because we all know that if your team happens to defeat, no make that clobbers, the Yankees...well, that's just something that brings a tear to a grown man's (or ladie's) eye. The collective enthusiasm of tens of thousands of fans, unified in the universal joy of seeing evil incarnate wiped off the face of the earth! It's almost holy I tell you!

Because below the surface, we all snicker and laugh because WE'VE shown a guy like Big
George that we are better than him. He might have a lot more money, and a bigger house or car, but that doesn't mean a thing. Because to a great many people around the baseball world, he embodies everything that is wrong with the game as he was instrumental in single-handedly driving up players salaries to the point of the obscene. Which translates to the game being out of the price range for many of the true fans that would like to take the family down to watch America's greatest past-time, but which is now a wealthy persons' game thanks to old George and his repugnant mentality of throwing more and more money at something until it bleeds gold.

And while most people do not despise success or worldly achievement, there seems to be a universal agreement that we expect some humility and grace in winning. Whereas that's just not going to happen with George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees organization. Their attitude is that they're the best, brightest, richest and most successful sports team in the entire universe...and damn proud of it!

Kind of makes you hate a guy, doesn't it!

Learn more about this author, Shane Christensen.
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