Tears, Tantrums, and Technicals 

By Sarah McVeigh

The other day, I was watching the Yankees vs. Red Sox baseball game with my husband. What I mean by that is, I was asleep on the couch, and my husband was watching the game.

Apparently, the game was a stalemate. Obviously, Aaron Judge was doing what he does best and sent the game to extra innings. It was looking good for the Yanks. Then, the 10th inning hit, and there was a shift. First, Volpe stole third base. But the Red Sox challenged the call, and it was overturned; Vouple was out. Then, DJ LeMahieu was up to bat. He nailed the ball, but it was ruled a foul on the field.

I woke up to my husband screaming at the TV, “It’s a fair ball!” I look at my husband throwing a complete tantrum, then he asks me what I think. I tell him it’s a foul ball. The Yankees challenged the call, but there was not enough to overturn the foul call. (Sarah on the Sidelines would’ve called it foul, too.)

So then what happens? Chaos erupts. I watched my husband lose his mind. I then watched the gorgeous Aaron Boone also lose his marbles. Aaron Boone stormed out of the dugout, cursing and yelling, all while pointing at the umpires, and then he got really classy and threw his gum at the field. Aaron Boone was obviously kicked out of the game for his outburst.

I’ve mentioned it before, but unfortunately, this article does not pay the bills (surprising, I know.) I am a school social worker, in all its glory. My daily tasks really depend on how much high fructose corn syrup my kids have had that day. Overall, my job is to teach children about emotions and how to cope with their emotions so they can become successful members of society.

Now my kids do some out-of-pocket stuff. I have scars from scratches they’ve given me, had to go to the nurse for bite marks, had a few chairs thrown at me, whatever. They’re kids and they’re learning! Rome wasn’t built in a day, people!

But what is the excuse for my husband? And for Aaron Boone? Why is it considered socially acceptable for these grown men to freak out in the name of sports?

I grew up with what I would call a “crazy football mother.” Unfortunately for her, she had two cheerleaders. She would be at high school football games yelling about a call or a bad play. She also had dibs on the TV all day Saturday for college football, and it was just hours of yelling. However, there was never any cursing. She also never threw things, stomped her feet, or did anything to resemble a three-year-old. Because of my SEC-obsessed mother, I know that it’s possible to be a true fan without getting kicked out of a game or needing to go to confession on Sunday morning.

And Aaron Boone certainly isn’t the first, nor will he be the last. Sports history is full of epic meltdowns. Lou Piniella, manager of the Cincinnati Reds in 1990, famously picked up and heaved a base into the outfield. Tennis legend John McEnroe, whose frustrated cries of “Answer my question!” and “You cannot be serious!” are still discussed. Then there’s the infamous “Malice at the Palace” in 2004, when the Pacers played the Pistons, and Ron Artest, after being hit by a fan’s drink, charged into the stands, which led to a full-out brawl.

You may view these moments as pure passion, a coach or player defending their team, or fighting for a fair call. I, however, would have to agree to disagree.

It gives me the ick to see Aaron Boone throw his gum at the field, and I didn’t think Aaron Boone could ever give me an ick.

So please, imagine what it does to your wife, dear reader, to see you jumping up and down and throwing the remote across the living room. Listen, I’m just trying to help YOU out.