This past weekend we were all treated to a potential World Series preview as the Los Angeles Dodgers traveled across the country to take on the New York Yankees.
Even when both teams are relatively mediocre, the rare series still holds a unique and special allure to it.
Not only is it east vs. west, New York vs. LA, but the pure history behind the rivalry – going back to the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers – makes it as nostalgic as it gets.
Forgive me for sounding like an old, grumpy baseball guy. But there’s a reason why baseball is America’s favorite pastime.
Alright, let’s get back on track here…
The Dodgers ended up taking two out of three games in the series as they surely made their presence felt in the Bronx.
However, some Yankees fans were more annoyed by something that happened off the field rather than the results on it.
As it turns out, the Yankees decided to sell merchandise which featured Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani!
Among the merchandise sold was a unique, special edition New Era hat which featured both Ohtani’s #17 and Aaron Judge’s #99.
The Bombers also sold Ohtani jerseys, joint bobbleheads of Ohtani and Judge, and a shirt reading “Home Run Battle in the Bronx.”
The bobblehead reportedly cost $150.
After the initial shock wears off, most people will realize that this shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise.
Of course, the Yankees are going to take advantage of every revenue stream they can get their hands on.
Meanwhile, there’s no downplaying Ohtani’s massive star-power.
Throw in the fact that New York City has one of the largest Japanese populations in America, and the merchandise offerings – as insulting as they are to die-hard Yankee fans – begins to make more and more sense.
(That’s not saying you have to agree with it!)
Fresh off signing a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million (!!!) deal with the Dodgers, Ohtani is right back in the middle of the MVP race.
The season is still relatively young, but Ohtani is more than proving his worth by batting .310 with 15 home runs, 41 RBI’s and a .947 OPS.
The Dodgers are right where they need to be with a 41-26 record, good for first place in the National League West.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have surprised even the most optimistic of fans and own the best record in all of baseball at 47-21.
Do you think we’re looking at a Yankees-Dodgers World Series? … Or will the Phillies have something to say about that?
As for the whole merchandise thing, what are your feelings on it?
Should Yankee fans be offended that the organization was selling Ohtani merchandise?
Or was that a whole lot to do about nothing???