In 1999, for the final show of my football-themed hardcore band Ten Yard Fight, I designed a t-shirt that unexpectedly became iconic in Boston sports culture. We performed at the Karma Club on October 17, 1999, while the Yankees faced the Red Sox across the street at Fenway Park. Knowing I could have some fun with this, I quickly created a “Yankees Suck” t-shirt design with a Ten Yard Fight monogram on the back in a bold, modern athletic typeface.
We printed 36 shirts for that show, and they sold out immediately by ballpark-style vending to the people waiting in line outside the venue. The crowd’s energy was almost out of control from then on, and that day became known as Edge Day—a holiday still celebrated by the straight-edge kids and the hardcore scene. The show was immortalized in a VHS tape we released with Bridge Nine Records.
What started as simple band merch quickly evolved. The “Yankees Suck” slogan was already a rallying cry for Red Sox fans who were frustrated by the Yankees’ dominance. Recognizing the potential, we expanded the idea into a full line of Boston sports merchandise, applying the same DIY approach we used for band gear. Fans loved it, and we built an empire that generated a million dollars in profit.
If you search for “Yankees Suck,” you’ll find documentaries on the movement by Vice and ESPN–some of the stories were not as positive as I portray here, though. Regardless, the phrase wasn’t just a chant anymore—it became part of Boston’s sports identity, bonding fans in their shared rivalry against the Yankees.
Over time, others copied our designs, and the business eventually fizzled out. The shirts were banned from Fenway, and there were dozens of rip-offs. However, the original “Yankees Suck” shirts have become collectors’ items, fetching high prices on eBay today. It was a whirlwind experience that taught me invaluable lessons about how, with good timing, a simple idea can deeply resonate with the masses.
When Ten Yard Fight reunited for This is Hardcore in 2018, I designed another shirt with my friend Linas Garsys—this time as a tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles. Eagles fans loved it, but let’s just say some Patriots fans were less than thrilled!
With the Yankees and Dodgers about to battle it out at the World Series, it’s exciting to see the same rivalry energy alive again. The Dodgers are finally getting their shot, and it reminds me of the passion we tapped into when the “Yankees Suck” slogan first took off.
Sometimes, the most straightforward ideas leave the most significant impact. Whether it’s a t-shirt design or a creative campaign, it’s all about connecting with people on a deeper level—and that’s a lesson I continue to carry into everything I do today.
Go Dodgers. Sorry, Yankees fans.
