The New York Yankees versus Los Angeles Dodgers is touted as the most annoying potential World Series matchup, but not the worst. It’s a clash of the titans, featuring numerous future Hall of Famers at their peak, showcasing outstanding displays of baseball ability. However, the ubiquity of constant commentary and analysis around the event, largely due to social media and the Pundit Industrial Complex, contribute to its annoyance factor.
This matchup, similar to an old, reused trope, is not novel; the Yankees and Dodgers frequented the World Series in the 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s. The prolific display of these two teams conjures old memories; many older viewers nostalgically recall the World Series as a strictly Yankees-Dodgers event. Hence, the 2024 matchup, for many, simply hearkens back to those simpler, binary times, reminding spectators of an era where their favorite teams rarely had a chance.
Fueling this trend, television executives have always wanted the Yankees-Dodgers matchup. High-profile teams invariably attract more viewers, more attention, and thereby more revenue. This consistent focus on famous teams alienates smaller franchises like the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers, making every MVP or Hall of Famer a potential target for the bigger teams, fostering a sense of elitism and entitlement.
A significant grouse against these teams, especially among fans of smaller franchises, is their pronounced self-importance. Their unchanging jerseys, grandiose monuments and plaques, and a seemingly exaggerated sense of history give off an air of superiority, alienating fans who feel their teams are equally deserving of recognition and acclaim.
Moreover, critics argue that focusing on the exorbitant payrolls of these teams detracts from the larger problem. The billion-dollar salaries and high-profile purchases by these teams only happen because other team owners, for reasons ranging from other business interests to a poor vision for their team’s future, let their star players go, often allowing the Yankees and the Dodgers to scoop them up.
In conclusion, while the Yankee-Dodger world series promises a high level of baseball brilliance and exceptional player performances, its exceedingly high profile and the continuous, often unnecessary, buzz around it make it a proverbially annoying yet high-stakes event. The likely aftermath? The winning team seeming overbearingly boastful and the losing team, more entitled. The ideal scenario for many viewers? A low-key, drama-free showdown between smaller franchises like the Guardians and the Brewers.
