The Yankees, like the United States, are a powerful juggernaut with an unlimited budget; they are a worldwide force to be reckoned with and have the power to dominate no matter what the enemy has in store for them.
When something they need starts running low, (oil and ERA both have three letters; it can't be a coincidence) they don't depend on homegrown skill or ideas to create new ways to survive and adapt, they simply use already existing resources to go out and buy them, ignoring every rule and crushing anything that gets in the way.
Both have a powerful offense, capable of winning with the long bomb, bullets to all fields and even stealing. They also have a strong defense filled with multi-million dollar units capable of intercepting the other team's attacks before they can gain momentum. Both are fully capable of early, pre-emptive strikes and rapid response. If the initial attack does not sustain, they can always bring in the dominant special forces to end the game quickly.
Despite the similarities the Yankees might have to this country's actions abroad, they contain few similarities to the "American way" or the "American Dream." They are never the underdog, they are never the team that started with nothing and built themselves up, they are never the dark horse, never the Cinderella story, never pulling themselves up by the bootstraps and fighting to succeed.
The Yankees have just one first-round pick in their entire starting line up: Derek Jeter, who was taken in the first round over 12 years ago. Their payroll is greater than the domestic national product of most small countries at $180 million. Next year it will undoubtedly be over $200 million with the off-season acquisitions they will surely make (Hint: at least one Carlos, if not two).
The next closest thing to the Yankees in Major League Baseball is their rival Red Sox, whose budget is still $60 million below the Yankees' budget. What is even more shock and awe-ing is that over half of the existing teams have payrolls that are less than one third of the Yankees'.
It may be that these parallels are a slight stretch, but it's always fun to rip on the Yankees and still try and make a point at the same time. Even though America hasn't been the underdog in the world for a long time, most of its people still are. Hard working men and women of all races, religions and sexual preferences get up every morning with the intention of increasing their chances of success.
I would like to see my fellow students keep up the activism they started last week and help our country's citizens make a run for their own personal wild card in the future. Let's cultivate our skills so when we get called up to the majors we are prepared to actually make a difference. I've never been more proud or excited about my school than last week, when students came out of the woodwork to express their political opinions and support their candidates.
Even if there was rampant closed-mindedness and immaturity, it was a good start. There are a lot more "have nots" than there are "haves" in baseball and in this country, and I know that is why I am rooting for all things Massachusetts this fall -- in baseball and in politics.
Adam Wright is a journalism senior. Reach him at adam.wright@asu.edu.
