Nov 6, 2009 11:57 pm US/Eastern
Yankees Joy A Welcome Feeling In These Tough Times
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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A New York Yankees fan holds up a sign during a ticker tape parade November 6, 2009 in New York. The Yankees were celebrating their victory over the Philadelphia Philles in the 2009 World Series.
DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images
The Yankees' triumph has been a happy diversion for many New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet in a tough economy, and fans were relieved to have a day of pure joy and celebration despite hardships they may be dealing with.
The times we're going through now, economically, have been called a second Great Depression. Back then, people's momentary diversions from the hard times were the movies and baseball.
The more things change, they say? Baseball – it's not called the national pastime for nothing.
"My dad, he's a union construction worker, and it's a distraction for him. You know, it's something to look forward to every day – that they're gonna win," said Yankee fan Pete Corrigan.
And Pete, whose father is part of the construction team at Ground Zero, a couple of blocks from where he watched the Yankees go by, he is beginning to appreciate what it takes for his dad to put him through college. And, they have baseball. You can't really put a dollar sign on how much it means to have something like this right now.
"It's a small thing, it's not on the same level as getting to the moon, but it means something, so I think it's good for people to celebrate it," said Hackettstown, N.J. fan James Brady.
"I think for today, everybody's putting everything aside, celebrating the New York Yankees' 27th victory. So I think everything's good now, but you know, just to get rid of their frustrations," said Bronx resident Mike Albaro.
Think about this: during the season, these are the same folks who talk about spoiled, overpaid ballplayers; who point out – correctly – that they can't afford to go to a game. Yet…
"Sports ratings are up because people can't afford to go out; they're staying home, and they're watching these games, and it brings a lot of joy to us when we watch it," said New Hyde Park resident Andy Tricouros.
"They bring us together. No matter where you're from, how much money you make. we're all here for a common thing," added Staten Island resident Tim Borack.
The economy may be rough, we may be in a second depression, but as we all witnessed Friday, that's not what people are thinking about right now, and that's a pretty darned good thing.
"It's been rough, everybody's had it rough these last couple of years," said Staten Island resident Ben Smiley. "The Yankees just bring happiness to everybody.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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