The Yankees have done an excellent job of hazing rookies in recently years. Two years ago, Joba Chamberlain, Chien Ming Wang and other rookies dressed like characters from The Wizard of Oz. Last year, the Yankee veterans made Alfredo Aceves and company dress up like the Village People. The Yankees decided to make the logical progression from old school movies and music to old school television.
Coming into the last game against the Mariners, the Yankee rookies had to dress up like characters from the Batman television series. Mark Melancon was fortunate enough to be Batman and reliever Mike Dunn lucked out as the Riddler. The Yankees also had their operations crew involved with video man Anthony Flynn in a Robin costume, radar gun operator Brett Weber as The Joker, and massage therapist Lou Potter dressed up like the Penguin.
Skinny Mexican shortstop Ramiro Pena had the unfortunate honor of being Catwoman. Yankee’s captain Derek Jeter commented to the rookie, “You look like Halle Berry, man.” Not quite. The picture of him getting “wanded” by security is amazing. Frankly, Pena’s outfit was extremely frightening. He almost reminds me of Bondage Boy from Craig Ferguson mixed with the gay guy from Real World Cancun. I hope that next year the theme does not include any vinyl bodysuits. Also, what do the Yankee veterans have against the Mexican guys? Last year, Aceves wore arguably the most embarrassing get-up as the “Indian chief” in the Village People.
The shamed rookies were forced to board the chartered plane to Anaheim in the ridiculous outfits. At least CC Sabathia was nice enough to offer to buy them dinner upon landing — as long as they didn’t change clothes. I hope he doesn’t take them to Subway. Considering he dropped thousands on Cavs playoff tickets for teammates in May, I’m guessing he’ll probably treat them to something a bit nicer.
