1. Introduction to a Lifelong Yankees Fandom
Years ago, when I first visited Yankee Stadium, I heard the baritone voice of the public address announcer, Bob Shepard. From that day forward, I was hooked. Whether it’s an obsession or fanaticism, I became a lifelong New York Yankees follower. As I walked to my seat, it felt like Bob Shepard was talking directly to me, saying, “Welcome to Yankee Stadium.” His smooth, distinctive, and precise elocutions became iconic aural symbols from 1951 to 2007.
2. Memorable Encounters with Bob Shepard
During my college years, I had the pleasure of meeting Bob Shepard a few times. His knowledge on a variety of topics and pleasant demeanor made conversations easy and enjoyable. After graduation, I attended several of his lectures. When he passed away on July 11, 2010, it felt like I had lost a family member. I paid my respects at the funeral parlor.
3. Decades of Yankees Devotion
As a die-hard Yankees fan for several decades, I have witnessed very bad teams and watched a few World Series Championships. My fanaticism began when former Yankees General Manager, Gene Michael, was the starting shortstop, over a quarter of a century ago.
4. Fanaticism vs. Obsession: A Closer Look
According to the dictionary, a fanatic has extreme, irrational zeal or exuberance for a specific cause, shown by excessive enthusiasm and intense devotion. An obsession, on the other hand, involves compulsive thoughts or activities pursued to the exclusion of all others, often causing discomfort. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not synonymous.
5. The Trials and Triumphs of Fanaticism
Being a fanatic, like life, has its trials and tribulations, positives and negatives, and many ups and downs. Being a fanatic of Yankee Baseball is like riding a roller coaster, with all the twists, turns, heights, and lows of the long winding seasons.
6. The Rigors of Baseball Season
Baseball has 162 games in a season, extending to eight months with possible playoff appearances. Playoffs used to favor home teams more, but today’s matches are more evenly balanced. Owners, General Managers, and Managers invest money, time, and effort to build the best possible teams. Players must be sharp and focused to win, as there are no ties.
7. Personal Obsessions Beyond Baseball
Most of my life, I have been obsessive about one thing or another, from rereading textbooks to constantly editing my writings. Being obsessive-compulsive has been a challenge. Is checking the sports section daily or spending hours online finding the latest news obsessive?
8. The Challenges of Obsessiveness
Obsessiveness is a unique disorder where people have recurring, unwanted thoughts or sensations, often resorting to repetitive actions to alleviate them. Examples include hand washing, cleaning, and checking things repeatedly, which can interfere with daily functions and social interactions. In my case, I became agoraphobic, not venturing more than a mile and a half from home. Years later, my obsessive thoughts lessened, and I was able to hold a job for nineteen and a half years, got my driver’s license, became a Certified Peer Specialist, and had a partner for twelve years before she passed away in 2015. Despite my successes, I continue to deal with obsessive thoughts and anxieties.
9. Yankees Obsession and the Emotional Rollercoaster
Yankees obsessiveness involves following the team daily, feeling great when they win and hard when they lose. I watch games on television, second-guessing decisions, and trying to manage the team’s 26 players. This combination of obsession and fanaticism makes me a die-hard fan of the Yankees, supporting them through good and bad times.
10. Yankees History and the Promise of a Better Future
Since the mid-1960s, the New York Yankees have captured eleven American League Pennants and seven World Series. However, they haven’t won a World Series or a pennant since 2009. Rooting for the Yankees has been both wonderful and frustrating. I promise to remain a loyal fan, knowing that this organization will win again sooner or later. Patience, patience, patience.
11. Closing Thoughts: Let’s Go Yankees!
Let’s go Yankees! Let’s go Yankees! Let’s go Yankees!
See you in the newsletters, news blogs, or perhaps the sports pages.
Howard Diamond is a Certified Peer Specialist from Long Island, New York.
Author Info:
Howard Diamond
Certified Peer Specialist from Long Island.
