Writer: Sofi Dawalibi
Editor: Mare Lara
The sporting fever runs high in New York City, whether they win or lose, hope is never lost – look at Jets’ fans for an example. – Sports are riveting, and in a city where people compete to walk faster on the sidewalks, the competitive spirit purely integrates so well. Though New York cannot be credited for inventing sports, it most surely can be regarded for their development and integration as a lifestyle rather than a passion or entertainment.
New York’s volume doubled as the Yankees’s shortstop Anthony Volpe, a native New Yorker nonetheless, hit a Grand Slam in the third inning of Game 4 of the World Series this year. Regardless of the losses, every step of winning is celebrated. Whereas baseball’s origins aren’t as certain as other sports, the attempt to create a league can be traced back to the New York Knickerbockers – yes, where the Knicks basketball team got their name from – in the 19th century. At the same time as baseball’s rules were being developed, the economy was booming and the city was evolving into a bustling metropolis. In 1845, New York had its pivotal year as a growing city as its identity was taking shape, and of course, it was the same year as the Knickerbockers were founded, sports cementing itself into the bricks that lay the foundation of the Big Apple.
The first baseball governing body was formed by 16 New York Clubs in 1857, with the first recorded baseball game between two African American teams taking place in Queens just two years later. The success of baseball is owed to New York, as it helped popularize baseball as a national pastime, with the Yankees becoming a symbol nationwide – the caps being worn worldwide. – From the signing of the icon Jackie Robinson by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 to Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956, this is the place to be for baseball lovers.
Still, baseball constitutes only about a third of the sports that contribute to the city's reputation as a sports capital. With the teams gathering national attention in the 1950s with the early TV days, basketball was one of the sports that brought people together. The New York Knicks were established as one of the main teams in the National Basketball League (NBL), which later turned into the NBA. Ever since 1946, they have been playing their home games at the Madison Square Garden, a staple to the city – where both the New York Rangers and Knicks have their home games to this day.
Madison Square Garden is right in Midtown, its pulse has been ingrained into the concrete jungle for over a hundred years now. From being artists’ dream venues to athletes dreaming of playing there, it’s an “I made it” moment – which is simply fitting when you can make it in New York, you’ve truly made it anywhere. Its title of being the world’s most famous arena is not only due to New York’s reputation for entertainment but also due to its resilience, whether a team wins or loses, they’ll be able to say they’ve played at the garden. And what a privilege it is to have it as your home game grounds.
The New York Rangers were the first American team to join the NHL, with the game’s fast-paced nature easily called in fans of the Knicks as well. One of the biggest years for the city in terms of sports was 1994 when the Rangers were battling in game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Devils which ultimately gave them the push to reach the Stanley Cup finals and win the championship. At the same time, the Knicks were up against the Houston Rockets, their games being interleaved with the Rangers as the players of both teams would show up to each others’ games to cheer them on. And after the Knicks lost to the Rockets, even those who weren’t hockey fans cheered on the Rangers to bring at least one trophy to New York, which they would deliver.
Speaking to a New Yorker season ticket holder and sports enthusiast, Carl Bartucca, he said “When they’re winning and even when they’re losing, fans have faith, because that’s what being a sports fan is about.” Maybe solidarity is the only way a big city could ever be so grandly renowned.
When it comes to football, we have to commend the New York Jets for having the most loyal fanbase there may ever have existed. Their victory in the Super Bowl III in 1969 will be paved into history for good, their early success is admirable and the fans certainly hope they’ll pick it up in this current season. The Giants’ early success and league championships helped football to be taken more seriously as a professional sport in America. Besides, there’s no place like New York to tailgate.
In the more recent days, New York claimed the ranking of being the “sporting capital” of the world by BCW. The metropolitan area bustles with excitement every day, though on game days they get a bit more blue with the jerseys. It’s one of the only two cities in the country to house more than one team in each of the nine franchises of the United States – with a total of 11 organizations competing across the professional sports leagues, being champions on a combined 54 occasions.
As the Yankees have lost to the Dodgers in this past World Series – yes I know, fresh wound– the games were overflowing with fervor, not to mention over 15 million watching at home. At least we have women's sports to count on as the Liberty secured their first WNBA Championship, parading down Broadway with their trophy along with wine given by the fans to Breanna Stewart. They also have the beginning of the second season of the PWHL with the New York Sirens making their name debut.
From an outsider's perspective, there is absolutely nothing like going to a bar on a Friday night to watch sports and observe how different kinds of people get together and celebrate any major or minor win. It’s electric, though at times heartbreaking – as seen in the Rangers’ latest season loss in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Still, it’s the city that made me fall in love with sports.
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