Astros and Yankees fans taking over downtown
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Yankee Stadium is 1,600 miles from Minute Maid Park, but some New York fans are finding a piece of home in the H-Town ahead of the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
From signs, shirts, and watches, Yankees logos could be found around Houston Friday.
At Moranos Pizza, New York native employees embrace their former home team.
"We have a lot of New Yorkers so a lot of them like it, but then, our Houstonians like to talk a lot of smack," Moranos Pizza manager Francesco Quarto said.
Smack talk can also be found in New York Bagels.
"We cater to many New Yorkers because they love a real bagel, and they know they can get a real bagel here," New York Bagels owner Ed Gavrila said.
But don't let the name fool you, the owner know where he lives.
"We love the Astros," Gavrila said. "We're pulling for the Astros."
That's not to say all of his customers feel the same way.
Joe Kirk and Earl Pachter moved to Houston more than 40 years ago.
New York Bagels is their Friday spot.
But this week, they got extra attention because of what they were wearing.
"I sold my Orioles hat and bought an Astros hat," Pachter said.
"I'm loyal to what got me here," Kirk said. "I've been Yankee fan since back in the 1940's."
Loyalty doesn't always do you favors, especially when your current home team is vying for a trip to the World Series.
"I'm getting all kinds of looks and stares, and all kinds of bets of what's going to happen," Kirk said. "At the end of this I'll be either very fat with the dinners I get to eat, or very poor for what I have to buy."
A deflated wallet is what his long-time friend is pulling for.
While he may not invite him over to watch the game.
At least he knows he's got a couple choices to eat, no matter the outcome.
"In the end, we want the Astros going on to the World Series," Gavrila said.
"Next year," Kirk said.
