Posted on 05/29/2009 4:59:20 AM PDT by Puppage
A Texas Rangers’ fan who wore a "Yankees Suck" shirt to Tuesday's game against New York was told by a security guard to change it -- or she would be kicked out.
"He came down and said, ‘You have to change that shirt,’” said Kristen Knapp-Webb, of Carrollton. “I said, 'But it's not profane. Why do I have to change my shirt?' He said, 'The Texas Rangers organization considers that shirt to be profane.'"
The Rangers implemented a code of conduct for fans several years ago after some people complained they were offended by shirts such as hers, a team spokesman said.
"That particular phrase is one we’ve received a lot of complaints about," said Rangers spokesman John Blake. "That kind of thing is offensive to a lot of people, especially if you have young children and that kind of thing. And I think that's why we have that policy."
Knapp-Webb and her husband, Walter, said they consider themselves loyal Rangers fans. They even named their dog "Ranger."
They had gone to the game Tuesday to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary. He wore a Texas Rangers jersey, and she wore the "Yankees Suck" shirt her husband gave her for an anniversary gift.
No other fans seemed offended by her shirt and, in fact, many laughed, she said.
"It's funny," she said. "It's the thing fans do to each other to razz them, to make them laugh (and) have a good time."
But before the rain-delayed game started, she said, a security guard told her she had to turn the shirt inside out, change it or leave the ballpark.
"I understand it's private property," Knapp-Webb said. "But they can't not offend every person who walks in that door. It's not possible."
Under protest, she went to a restroom and turned the shirt inside out. She and her husband decided to leave a short time later, before the game started.
She said she hopes the Rangers clarify their policy.
"I think 'profanity' needs a definition, and I don't think 'sucks' is included," Knapp-Webb said.
The Rangers’ Code of Conduct states, "Any person wearing clothing with language… that may be offensive to another guest may be denied entry into the stadium, or ejected from the stadium without refund."
“Yankees suck” is both profane AND offensive.
And I’m a born Yankee (A.L. team) hater.
Agreed, we are becoming a nation of trash all the way around.
I only think Yankees suck that’s all. I am secesh so I see things differently than you. I see the United States as an entity that was supposed to be a limited in scope. I believe in the republic, all centralized power is evil whether left or right. Yes, Yankees suck.
I guess I wasn’t clear enough in my question -
how am I to know whether I’ll be welcomed or shunned when the SHTF and the states finally tell FUBO to FO
and I move to one of those states...
She went about this all wrong — she should have claimed that she was a NY native and was wearing the shirt to celebrate the alternative lifestyles of some of the Yankee players and fans. Then added that if her celebration and expression of support for that alternative lifestyle was going to get her ejected, she would sue the Rangers and Tom Hicks for discrimination against the oppressed closeted gays on the Yankee’s squad and in their fan base...
Well, I heard the President of the Texas Rangers live on the nationally televised Yankees-Rangers game earlier this week tell the story of sitting in the front row when things were really bad on the field and a fan from higher up in the stands standing up and yelling “For Christ’s sake Ryan, do something”. Didn’t sound as though Nolan had that man thrown out, and, he wasn’t bashful about repeating the language on national television.
That's why I love local small town short tracks and ballgames, you can still be you, wear stuff like "yankees suck" and not have to worry so much about whiney sissies and traffic.
We’ll welcome you in Texas. Heck, they welcomed me and I came here from Cali.
You find it offensive, yet you are willing to repeat it. Hmmm.
Yankees suck, btw.
Somebody ought to wear a shirt that says, "Down with Socialism" and see what happens.
Baseball would be better off without shirts such as these (and the attitude behind it that catalyzes it). They’ve gone too much in the direction of diminishing kid attendance over the years (mostly night games now, high prices, high salaries, bad press, drugs), and kid attendance is their future. Slogans like this does put a damper on family attendance; the kids that do go to games tend to be a rougher crowd.
During my younger days, the word “sucks” was profane and vulgar as it referred to oral sex. When my daughter was a teenager, I got tired of hearing her use the word, so I told her what it meant to me. She blushed and did not use the word after our talk.
Ok. I can deal with “Yankees Blow”.
You will be distrusted at first because you lived in Yankee country, and that was acceptable to you somehow(shame). You will have to prove your worthiness. Also, any demon spawn coming from the land of ice and snow will definitely be suspect.
Next time.....YANKEES BLOUGH!
Time and place. If you’re watching the game in a bar, “Yankees Suck” is less inappropriate (I still wouldn’t wear it). At the stadium, with all the little kids who might well ask their mommies questions, it’s a little too trashy. Notice I’m not disagreeing with the sentiment. I am trying to substitute the word “stinks” in my own conversation - picking up litter, as it were.
I liked the other guy’s response better...
Texas it is...
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