THE TALE OF THE OX

There's an old saying that goes something like this: "It all depends on whose OX was gored."

I'm sure there are variations. Some claim the "OX" reference started in Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament. Others also claim a religious association with the saying.

They give this example: A preacher can condemn sin from the pulpit and he will be praised for his fine teachings with all the Elders loudly pronouncing a resounding "Amen!"

However, should the sin he later condemns be unknowingly that which is being committed by The Head Elder, his actions will surely beget a job change for "Da Preach." He gored the wrong OX.

The application in this humble blog is in regard to the death of people whose life style was villified while alive but praised following their death.

The first person that comes to mind is Senator Ted Kennedy. The second is George Steinbrenner, CEO of the Yankees, who passed away today. I'll skip Michael Jackson, if you don't mind.

There is one caveat regarding my Steinbrenner analysis. I must remind any readers out there of my blind love for The Pittsburgh Pirates and will forever be grateful for them beating the hated Yankees in the 1960 World Series. Yeah, I had the winning OX back in the day.

Now my Buccos have had dibs on the worst losing record in all of sports history and a payroll that could be paid out of the receipts of one home stand at Yankee Stadium.

So, what is my real problem here?

I grew to abhor the personalities of both Kennedy and Steinbrenner. Their actions were against everything I was taught as a child regarding modesty and fighting fair. It's a shame these guys never had to take on "The Duke" in a fight. "Right" would surely have won out over "Might".

The political largesse Kennedy gave his constituents could easily make almost any resident a Ted Kennedy fan. He was a powerful man and regardless of whether or not you embraced the Kennedy mythology; according to the epitaphs he was a caring and charitable man during his time on earth.

I not only did not live in Massachusetts - I had no desire to do so. Okay, maybe with the exception that suggests I could have enjoyed ancient resident status .

This might have enabled me to personally confirm the allegations that what Paul Revere really said that famous night was: "One if by land. Two if by sea and Three if the Widow Brown is home alone tonight."

Similarly, if you were a true Yankee fan - as is one friend - a very honorable man - it is possible that some of the off the field antics committed by Steinbrenner could also be overlooked or at least shoved back to hind status in the memory bank.

George truly took any Yankee fan on a magical ride and provided them with a lot of great memories.

You guys got Steinbrenner, a shipping magnate and a brillant scouting staff. We got McClatchey and Nutting two newspaper men with a scout team that only excelled in the sport of "Blind Mans Bluff."

Yep, "It all depends on whose OX was gored."

In the coming days I have no doubt that Steinbrenner will be mentioned in various periodicals as "the second coming". I really struggle with that assessment, and resent the beatification of unworthy men upon their death.

Many obit writers may forget that George was a bully and a felon who served no jail time and was kicked out of baseball for two years.

History suggests George will enjoy the same death expungement that Ted enjoyed - although surely there were some minor protests from members of Mary Jo Kopechne's family.

However, I can't worry that if I had been born in Massachusetts - lived there most of my life - receiving political bon-bons from Ted and his brothers- but later became a huge Yankee fan after moving to the Bronx- I also may have somehow found myself wanting to be on that "Glory Road" with both men.

Most of us want to be associated with "winners" and prefer to ignore examining the accuracy of the evaluation of the character of these people upon death. It's human nature. Lot's of former Mafia don were big church donors and received a great send off as they headed on their next journey.

May you always have the winning OX.