The predominant Yankees stereotype has long been that the fans expect endless spending and belittle their opponents in the name of the almighty dollar. This hasn't been true for a while; the Yankees haven't splurged on a fleet of free agents in years, and have taken care of their own more recently than they've plundered the "little guys".
Still, when you've got ex-Yankees like Josh Donaldson reinforcing the stereotype, nothing much is going to change.
In the wake of Brandon Hyde trying to bowl over Austin Wells and attack the Yankee dugout after he purportedly heard "chirping" after he dropped an unnecessary "F** you" on a symptathetic Clay Holmes, Orioles fans have been feeling themselves, trying anything possible to "other" their own fanbase from Yankees supporters. Yankees fans aren't real fans. They haven't felt real pain. Baltimore's the only city that loves their guys and plays fair. You know, the good stuff.
Donaldson, dismissed by the Yankees last season after a mostly brutal 1.5-year tenure, apparently had enough, clapping back to "Freddie The O's Fan" with a hardcore reminder (and very stereotypical Yankee fan response).
Woof. Frankly, if the Yankees are going to be the Evil Empire, they should probably do more beating down dreams than they've done since 2009, but still, it's nice to see this in the wild.
Freddie worked up a response, and it's exactly what you'd expect. Not substantive. Mean-spirited. The kind of smack back that Donaldson probably deserved.
Still, it's nice to see Donaldson, of all people, rallying to the cause after the Yankees were villainized for an accidental beaning on Friday night. Heston Kjerstad, struck in the helmet by a wayward Clay Holmes sinker in a tight game in the pouring rain, was scratched Saturday afternoon and placed on the concussion IL. The concern should lie entirely with Kjerstad. Because of O's manager Brandon Hyde, though, the focus is instead on Holmes, who wasn't allowed to check in on the fallen Oriole.
Donaldson being in his feelings doesn't change that, but it was still impressive to see him rally for his guys from afar.
