Walking down the uneven sidewalk that runs along McKean Road, it’s hard not to notice the New York Yankees home jersey that hangs for all to see in a third floor window of Lyons hall.
One student walks by, does a double take, and takes a few short paces back and turns to look. He gazes at the navy pinstriped uniform as if it’s a ghost he’s heard about, but never got a chance to see. Moments later, two other loungewear-clad students walk by, give the pinstripes a quick glance, point and shout: “Yankees suck!”
The 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and The New York Yankees has created a fragile atmosphere for students at the University Park campus.
According to the Penn State admissions office, 27 percent of students do not reside in Pennsylvania, with many calling either New Jersey or New York their home. Now as game six approaches tonight with the Yankees in a position to end the series, students may stop judging each other on color of their iPod or Ugg boots and start judging each other on the color of their pinstripes.
Danielle Marian, a sophomore from Philadelphia, has come out swinging against Yankee fans, and insisted that while there are a large number of Bronx Bomber faithful in State College, they could drown in a sea of red.
“I think most people here are Phillies fans. I mean, they’re world champs and this is Pennsylvania after all,” she said. “I see people walking around with Yankees stuff on and I think they’re nuts.”
The “Amtrak Series,” which kicked off last week, saw Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee dominate Yankee hitters which led to a 6-1 victory. New York relied on the nasty curveball of starter A.J. Burnett in game two to beat the Phillies 3-1. After the Yankees dominated the next two games, the Phillies pocketed a game five victory before returning to the Bronx.
As the games played, many students’ dorms were dark, only emanating the glow of television sets, cheering and the smell of food that was definitely a far cry from a dirty water hot dog or a cheesesteak.
“This place is full of Philly fans, but not everyone here likes them,” said sophomore Stephen Hayes. The Pennsylvania resident, who spent some time living in New Jersey, said the series will not end without a fight.
“The team [Yankees] has the best record in baseball and they have a good chance to bring home a 27th championship…it’ll be a tooth and nail fight and I’ll be cheering the whole way, win or lose,” he said.
Local stores such as Rapid Transit Sports have stocked both Phillies and Yankees hats for the faithful to buy, and bars such as Champs Sports Bar are showing each game of the 2009 World Series to a packed house.
“Whatever the outcome of the game, I’ll be satisfied,” said senior Ryan Kolb. “I know each team is a power house and it should be a good one for anybody who really likes baseball.”
Will the Phillies grind through the Yankee lineup, or will the ghosts of World Series past come to life and help the Yankees win a 27th championship? Whatever the case, Happy Valley will be a safer place when it’s all said and done.
