Will Yankee fans play a role in Cliff Lee's free agency?

[CanadianSox]

I'm surprised no one has posted this. (or if I have missed it either delete or merge or whatever)

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Will-spitting-Yankee-fans-play-a-role-in-Cliff-L?urn=mlb-279919

 

The New York Yankees have long been mentioned as the no-doubt-about-it landing spot for Cliff Lee(notes) when the ace pitcher hits free agency this winter.

 

But if fans in the Bronx were supposed to be in recruiting-visit mode when Lee and the Texas Rangers came calling during the ALCS, they apparently missed the memo.

 

In a story by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Kristen Lee — Cliff's wife — says she wasn't too impressed with the behavior of Yankee fans when it came to (not) rolling out the welcome wagon.

 

Behavior that could play a part when it comes time for Lee to decide if he wants to chase the money in the Bronx or stay with a team like Texas.

 

From Nightengale's story:

 

Perhaps the Rangers' greatest sales pitch simply was having Kristen sit in the visiting family section at Yankee Stadium during the playoffs. She says there were ugly taunts. Obscenities. Cups of beer thrown. Even fans spitting from the section above.

 

"The fans did not do good things in my heart," Kristen says.

 

"When people are staring at you, and saying horrible things, it's hard not to take it personal."

 

Nightengale also notes a few other factors that could keep Lee in a Rangers uniform and they're all things that have also crossed our minds. A possible World Series title within the next week. The proximity of Arlington to the family's home in Little Rock, Arkansas. A quiet persona that might prefer to stay away from the noisy glare of the New York spotlight.

 

But all of those concerns, of course, could easily vanish in the face of a Yankee offer that comes in dramatically higher than any other team's. And Lee and his family certainly must know those boorish fans won't behave that way toward them if he's wearing pinstripes.

 

Lee is set to meet baseball's media Tuesday afternoon at San Francisco's AT&T Park — hey, he still has World Series games to pitch after all — and it'll be interesting to see how he handles the inevitable questions about his free agency. Stay tuned.

 

I know that a few people don't represent the mass but some people need to have common sense.

[Palodios]

You didn't post the article from Cliff Lee saying that fans will be fans, and its just an unfortunate part of the game. It also didn't mention that Lee and Sabathia's wives/families have been close for a few years. I think what happens in the World Series is going to be a bigger factor to Lee than this.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think what happens in the wallet is going to be a bigger determinant. If the Yankees pony up what I expect them to, then he'll be a Yankee with a 95% certainty

[redsoxrules]

lots of Dollar bills will make the wife change her tune about NY , just like the Tex deal

[CanadianSox]

You didn't post the article from Cliff Lee saying that fans will be fans' date=' and its just an unfortunate part of the game. It also didn't mention that Lee and Sabathia's wives/families have been close for a few years. I think what happens in the World Series is going to be a bigger factor to Lee than this.[/quote']

 

Ummm sorry that I don't know/read every atricle that is published??

[Palodios]

Ummm sorry that I don't know/read every atricle that is published??

 

Err, sorry, that was not intended to be snippy whatsoever, but now that I look at it, it definitely seems that way. my bad.

[ORS]

lots of Dollar bills will make the wife change her tune about NY ' date=' just like the Tex deal[/quote']

I think the gap will have to be a bit bigger. TX has no state income tax. NY and MA are probably in the same neighbor in terms of tax rate.

 

Jacko's figure of $10M over the whole contract probably doesn't even cover the tax difference.

[CanadianSox]

Err' date=' sorry, that was not intended to be snippy whatsoever, but now that I look at it, it definitely seems that way. my bad.[/quote']

 

It's fine. It's the internet, nothing comes across as you want it to.