Gary Matthews Thinks Yankees Fans Are Classier Than Red Sox Fans

One of the more interesting sidebars to this weekend's Angels-Red Sox series at Fenway Park will be how the Boston crowds greet Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., who recently tore Sox fans a new one in the LA Times and Boston Globe.

"They're loud, they're drunk, they're obnoxious, it's one of the few places where you hear racial comments . . . it's just different," Matthews said. "They're passionate about their team, they get into games, and for the most part they're knowledgeable about the game. I've learned to enjoy it, but those things are maybe difficult for players who aren't accustomed to it."

Alright, as a card-carrying member of the loud, drunk and obnoxious, I'll give Matthews a mulligan on that. But his credibility took something of a swan dive when he went on to identify Yankees fans as the standard of class in the major leagues.

"It's different from New York," said Matthews. "Yankee fans are passionate about their teams, but they're a little more couth. They have a little more class than Boston fans. At least in New York they appreciate guys who play the game hard and play the game right and they let you know it. In Boston, they just smack you for three straight days. They're just dogging you there the whole time. It's a different place."

Thank goodness that through the magic of YouTube, we can see some of that Famous Yankee Fan Couth on display at The Stadium. It's NSFW, but a classic nonetheless.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-17-2007 @ 12:57AM

George B Vieto said...

There is a saying that goes "There isn't a dime difference between the Republicans and Democrats in politics in America." Same thing about Red Sox and Yankees fans although on the former I hear and see more Yankee hater clothing that would make Hugo Chavez proud.

8-17-2007 @ 1:40AM

Cindy said...

As a fan of the red sox, I know the red sox fans love their team. Doesn't make them a lower class of fans. If someone is being loud, drunk and obnoxious....don't go to a football game. Those people in the stadium at football games are just plain nuts.

8-17-2007 @ 10:20AM

nyc said...

Fans shouldn't be allowed to be posters.

You suck Red

8-17-2007 @ 12:16PM

Robert Wayne said...

Wow...that's amazing!!! Usually blacks are always harping about we white southerners. It's good to see he was talking about yankees from New England instead of we Astros fans.

8-17-2007 @ 5:11PM

duster said...

Gary Matthews Jr. thinks Yankees fans are classier than Red Sox fans? I've seen Yanks fans at Fenway. Most of the time, they're the obnoxious ones, with no sense of common courtesy. (I was sitting next to a nice NY couple--no complaints there.) One loud ragged-looking Yanks fan wanted to shake my hand near the exit. When I walked by silently (I don't shake hands with random obnoxious people), he swore at me.

I know NOT to do that at any stadium.

Sorry, Junior, you obviously missed what New Yorkers were saying during the Yankees' slump for most of the season, and last year, and the year before.

He must not be used to the intimate confines of Fenway Park, where players can actually hear what the fans are saying.