Hey readers, it's the P-Dog rappin' atcha again for what looks to be the last time this year. I figured that I would ease up on my traditional muckraking, as I've grudgingly decided to write a somewhat fun column.The Yankees are off to a hot start, charging out of the gates with a 20-5 record that is reminiscent of the great Yankee teams of yore. While some remember the '98 Yankees winning consistently despite David Wells' drunken moundsmanship, others think of the '78 Yankees that pounded the ball like there was no tomorrow. If your name is Bob Hope, you remember the 1927 Yankees, with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and the ferocious bat of Johnny Grabowski.

The Yankees are celebrating their 100th calendar year of greatness (their 101st season), and as such I wish for this article to be an ode to their impact on the cultural arts as a whole. As such, I present the 10 greatest Yankee-themed works in the pantheon of pop culture. There is one work for every win above .500 that the Yanks have on the road this year.

At 10 is The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglas Wallop. The facetious erudites among us love the musical "Damn Yankees!," but this work is actually good. It tells the story of a man named Mr. Applegate who sells his soul so that the (now-defunct Washington) Senators can beat the Yankees.

Coming in at ninth is the movie "The Scout." It is a subtle but clever Albert Brooks film that leaves those in the know laughing throughout. An example of this is a quote from Brooks' character Al Percolo, who says, "God never said people make mistakes; where did you hear that shit? He said honor thy mother, and thy father, and thy Yankee contract!"

Eighth is a no-brainer: Ball Four by Jim Bouton. This is a book that seems dated when you read it now. We live in an era when it is all but a given to hear the besmirching of the reputation of great athletes. This book, however, was the first to truly take athletes to task for their actions, detailing their numerous imperfections.

Seventh is "The Pride of the Yankees." This movie has been a personal favorite of mine since I first saw it 10 years ago. Nominated for 11 Oscars, it details the life and untimely demise of ironman Lou Gehrig. The film has some flaws, particularly Gary Cooper's attempt to look like a pro, but this film is more than worth a rental.

Sixth is Billy Joel's concert live at Yankee Stadium. Billy Joel stands as the "American musician." That doesn't mean he's particularly smart or unbelievably talented, but he is what America is, in music form. This symbolism is compounded when considering the venue, Yankees Stadium, which has been called the most historic site in America.

Fifth is Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinon." This song defined the late 60s, and rightfully so, as it is mournful and self-righteous. The harmony, however, cannot be beat and is better than anything on the market today. The reference to Joe DiMaggio at the end is the epitome of Yankee influence on pop culture. Joe DiMaggio wasn't that special, but as a Yank he becomes the symbol of a bygone era that cannot be recaptured.

"Bang the Drum Slowly" gets the nod at four. This is, without a doubt, the best film featuring the Yankees ever made. It is light on actual baseball knowledge, as the Yankees were portrayed as a National League team, but it is heavy on life. Robert De Niro broke through in this film, playing a catcher hiding his terminal illness to continue playing. Michael Moriarty plays his friend who risks it all to fulfill DeNiro's wishes. Stop reading this article right now and watch it (well, wait just a few more seconds)!

Third is Ken Burns' "Baseball." The epic 18-hour documentary is not for those with ADD. If you sit through all of it, though, you will understand the impact of baseball on America. It features sections on such figures as Moses Fleetwood Walker, Jim Creighton and Hank Greenberg, as well as a heavy dose of Yankee baseball.

At number two is the book, "Derek Jeter - Pride of the Yankees." I will tell you right off the bat that I have not read this biography, nor do I intend to. I include it, though, because it reinforces a point about the Yankees in pop culture. Jeter is a good, yet over-hyped player and is not worthy of a book. Amazingly, there are nine books either written by or about the Yankee shortstop. Here's a sample Amazon.com review: "I think that this book was great! It's got to be the best biography I've ever read. I'm a huge D fan, and I loved every second of this book, from cover to cover!" Enough said.

David Halberstam's Summer of '49 is an easy choice for the top spot Those who know me would not be surprised I picked this to head the list. Neither would the people who have read it. It is about the Yankees and the Red Sox, but it truly about Ted Williams and DiMaggio, and America as a whole. This book is a slice of mom's apple pie served in book form that will remain as timeless as the Red Sox slugger's frozen corpse. It is Halberstam's gift to the literate and intelligent baseball fans of America.



- Dan Passner '06 submits a column to the Justice.