Torey Strahl, a native Bay-Stater, is living and working in Manhattan. She’ll be reporting to us from the front lines of the New York–Boston rivalry.
I’m from Boston. That means, by definition, I’m a sports fan. In New England, the playoffs have gone from an unrealistic hope to, quite simply, an expected duty for our four major teams.
This past fall, I found a tiny apartment in New York City. My roommate, born and raised in Manhattan, is a diehard sports fan, too. She knows how to argue, push the right buttons, and mention Bucky Dent; she has no problem making people cry. She has made it clear that I’m sharing the bathroom with the enemy.
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In essence, I’ve entered a living situation that could constitute a case study. What happens when two female sports fiends from rival cities inhabit the same abode?
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The two of us together, squeezed into a couch in our 10-by-10-foot living room while the Pats play the Jets, embody every male-sports-fan stereotype imaginable—but with much less sweat and chest hair. Beer spills on our tank tops. The brims of our hats are bent beyond repair from impromptu wrestling matches. More “your mother” jokes are dropped here than on that crappy MTV show. Internal bleeding is self-diagnosed.
Our living situation will be a case study: What happens when two female sports fiends from rival cities inhabit the same abode? Will a Rondo debate follow every Celtics victory? (If so, a lot of chats about #9 are on the horizon.) Would knuckle sandwiches have been thrown if that portly, vest-wearing, foot-loving loudmouth had led the Jets to the Super Bowl? Will F-bombs be dropped in front of my mother when the Yankees are the topic at hand? (Yes, yes, and they already have been.)
I’ll report on this case study from a neutral and professional perspective. I cannot pretend, however, that my biases about New England sports teams will stay out of the reports. (Yankees suck.)
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Here are a few key facts for readers to consider:
She’s got the home-field advantage, obviously. But we Bostonians have no problem being the underdog. And the bar at our corner is a Boston bar. If I need to hear a thick Southie accent (“Ah right, Gah-net! Lookin’ lahge ta-night!”), or need to partake in a celebratory Papelbon fist-pump, fellow Massholes are never too far away.
Both of our boyfriends are from Boston, so if the New Yorker and I are arguing, and she has me backed into a corner, I can shoot a text to the boys for some fast facts—or at least a good comeback. Relationships take a backseat to hometown heroes.
Naturally, some of our discussions will fall outside the realm of typical sports topics: “No one looks better than Derek Jeter in baseball pants.” “Um, have you seen Jacoby?” or “Which is worse, Tom Brady’s ability to flee the pocket, or his mullet?” Discussions of this sort are subjective and will therefore have no clear victor. Still, they are just as valid as debates rooted in statistical information.
I’ll be sure to detail any event in which either of us makes an absurd claim, drops another F-bomb in front of older family members, and/or partakes in a girl fight (I know girl fights are really all you want to hear about, anyway).
Until next time.
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More from Good Sports:
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Boston Herald columnist and sports-radio personality Steve Buckley recently came out. We have a candid conversation.
Ben Roethlisberger thinks sexual assault is all right—and it’s all our fault. We Make the A**holes
This guy made $7000 profit reselling his BCS Championship tickets, then got in the game for $300. Scalping the Scalpers
Bethlehem Shoals isn’t a sports fan, he’s a sports critic. There’s a difference. Somewhere Between Winning and Losing
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—Photo msandman/Flickr
Hi Torey,
I love the point of view and humor in your article. I can’t wait to read more. Now, keep in mind, that there is Steelers and Pirates blood in our family line too!
Love,
Cousin Sandy
Torey’s roommate should always ask her if her beloved MA wasn’t good enough that she had to leave it for enemy territory aka the greatest city in the world. I bet her roommie wouldn’t leave NYC for Boston no matter what.
Torey you rock. Keep up the great work! always remember those measly worcester folk !
Tor this is awesome, you’re the best! I got a good laugh out of it….make us BHS girls look good and don’t back down to any New Yorker!
Love the article. Love Torey. Love Boston Sports. Go Sox!
Toe, you’re amazing! Keep up the good fight…I know you will 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more from you!!
Torey, Your mom sent me the article and I’m a lonely Sox fan here in San Diego!
Great article! I’m proud of you! Looking forward to seeing more!
Love, Al
How about working as a Yankee fan in a newsroom of Bosox fans? I endlessly bite my tongue! Good job Toe.
Let’s hear more from Torey! It’s great reading what an intelligent young woman, and sports fan has to say. Plus she’s funny!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the article Torey! Can’t wait to read more:)
check out “the harry monk” at 3rd and 25th. it’s a boston sports bar. i was hanging out with my friend and he mentioned that he had never been there, but had always wanted to go. as a native “strong” islander, he was pissed. i had a great time. just saying.
I married a Yankee fan in 2004. By the end of Game 4 of the ’04 ALCS we were no longer speaking. He was a terrible winner and an ever worse loser. Yes, I eventually divorced him.
So good luck with your roomie, Torey!
Enjoyed the article, Torey, & look forward to more as spring training and opening day come around.
Torey keep up the good fight. The Jets were a fluke. We have the Celts (Knicks are nice but really?) and then, of course, the Sox have reloaded. Feeling and looking good at this point. I may even have to a road trip down there to that luxury silliness of a baseball diamond, though I live walking distance to the best park in America, Fenway.
@tmatlack