No two teams have inspired more hatred from their rivals lately
than USC and the New York Yankees.
The Yankees, who decided 17 All-Stars (yes, I counted) on their
roster weren’t enough, traded for AL MVP Alex Rodriguez and
most of his $252 million contract, something most teams can’t
do.
Yes, they already had Derek Jeter at shortstop.
Yes, they already had about a $175 million payroll.
Yes, their payroll is about nine times what the Brewers’
payroll is.
USC’s football program, the nation’s best last year,
picked up the No. 1 recruiting class a couple weeks ago.
Yes, most of its players are coming back next year, too.
Yes, many of its key players (Matt Leinart, Mike Williams) were
only sophomores last year.
Yes, it was leading UCLA 40-2 before having mercy on the
pathetic Bruins last year.
So, who’s more evil ““ the Yankees or USC?
It really is a tough call for any UCLA fan who also has a
non-Yankee rooting interest in baseball.
I’m not even a Boston Red Sox fan, and they are probably
ready to hang themselves despite having the second-highest payroll
in the game.
I’m proud to be a pre-2002 Anaheim Angels fan and a
Montreal Expos fan (yes, they both exist). But I still hate the
Yankees.
Granted, I’m not that big of a UCLA fan. I found myself
rooting for Fresno State in the Silicon Valley (we suck too much to
be a bowl game) Football Classic.
But I still root for the Bruins against USC. Not doing so would
be like rooting for John Kerry to win in an election against Dennis
Kucinich.
Still, you could (and I will) make great cases for why both USC
and the Yankees are each more evil than the other.
(Yes, I’m using a lot of parentheses today).
As a third-year UCLA student, I would like nothing more than to
see our football team beat USC just once. However, each year has
been more and more demoralizing, as every game generates the
realization that the chances of the Bruins beating the Trojans the
next year are even worse.
Many recruiting publications had the Bruins’ recruiting
class this year as the second best in the Pac-10. It is no
consolation though, when you look at USC’s class.
And that’s what makes USC evil. Even if you get better,
it’s hopeless because they’re getting better at an
exponential rate.
Also, you have to consider the cockiness factor.
“I honestly believe that everyone at UCLA wishes they were
at USC,” Mike Williams said after the 2003 UCLA-USC game.
Yes, Mike, football is the only reason one chooses to go to
school. Not quality of education, location or cost (not all of us
get football scholarships).
I don’t wish I was at USC. I just wish they’d lose
once in a while.
Then there’s the Yankees.
The one team that can get anyone they want ““Â at any
cost.
Every other team (even the Red Sox) has some financial
considerations. Not the Yankees.
They spend it wisely and always, at the very least, make the
playoffs. Who was the last good player the Yankees tried to get and
couldn’t?
But I’ve decided that USC is worse because of their
cockiness.
I hate to say it, but except for George Steinbrenner, the
Yankees are a classy organization.
Even their fans aren’t that bad. I’ve been to
Angels-Red Sox and Angels-Yankees games, and I swear the Red Sox
fans are more annoying and obnoxious.
But USC fans feel the need to make you as miserable as
possible.
USC is the greater evil.
E-mail Gilbert at gquinonez@media.ucla.edu.