Fred Durst Was the Secret to the Yankees' Success

In the late 90s, some very terrible things happened that shook the very foundation of America.

The Yankees won the World Series three years in a row, from 1998 - 2000.

Limp Bizkit, led by front man Fred Durst, rocked the music charts during the same time period, what I like to call the "Middle School Years."

Is it a coincidence? I think not. Fred Durst and this red cap were inseparable. Unfortunately, many of us are all to familiar with the logo that's on the front of the hat (back of his head, because to wear a baseball hat forward, you know, the way it should be worn, would be too awful for Mr. Durst). Fred Durst always wore that red Yankees cap. The two images were inseparable.

It is my theory that the reason behind the Yankees success in the late 90s had very much to do with Fred Durst. I think the best way to prove this theory is to look at their simultaneous downfalls. Their breakthrough single, "Faith," was the driving force behind Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ peaking at #22 on the BIllboard Charts in 1998. Durst "did it all for the Nookie" in 1999, and had several unfortunately successful singles thanks to TRL and Carson "Whitest Guy In The Room" Daly over the next couple of years.

In 2001, Limp Bizkit released Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water - classy, ain't they? This was a last ditch effort to show that they had any talent. Their lone successful single off this album, "Rollin" was known more for being the entrance song for The Undertaker (a dark period in his wrestling career) than anything else.

From 1998 until somewhere in the middle of 2001, Limp Bizkit were, in the media sense, on top of the world. People actually bought their music, enjoyed listening to them play, and liked seeing them appear on TV.

From 1998 until somewhere in the middle of 2001 was also the time period of the Yankees success. They swept the Padres in 1998, after having a remarkable 114 win season. In '99, they again swept the World Series, this time denying the Braves yet again the chance to raise a banner other than NL Champs. In 2000, George Steinbrenner paid Armando Benitez to blow game after game, and won a hard fought series against the Mets 4-1. In the 2001 World Series, after being down 2 games to None, the Yankees pounded away on Byung-Hyun Kim who mysteriously blew up in the playoffs after having a brilliant season. After taking a 3 games to 2 lead, the Arizona Diamondbacks raped them in game 6 forcing a game 7. The Yankees had the lead going in to the 9th inning, before one of the happier moments during my time in 9th grade - Mariano Rivera blew it and the Diamondbacks were World Series Champs.

Ever since then, the Yankees have not had success in the form of their ultimate goal that they feel they are entitled to each year, a World Series championship. In September 23, 2003 - Limp Bizkit released an album Results May Vary. A month later, the Yankees, whose results usually bring home a World Series Championship, lost the World Series to the Florida Marlins. The results surely varied there for them. They have not made it to the World Series ever since. Results May Vary garnered negative reviews and low-sales for Limp Bizkit, and they have more or less disappeared ever since.

I think I make fairly strong case linking the two together - Fred Durst was responsible for the Yankees success. now some of you may be wondering, Well yes, I see the time comparisons. But how does that mean Fred Durst was responsible for the Yankees run? Excellent question, little one.

It wasn't "Fred Durst" himself so much that was the reason for all this... It was his red Yankees cap. That stupid red Yankees cap that hid his balding head, he wore all the time. As he rose to fame and was all over the media, so was that stupid hat.

All my facts are true, you can Wikipedia them. And with the simultaneous rise to power, came the much happier and more celebrated (okay, by me) demise of both Fred Durst and the Yankees. The Fall of 2001 was the last sign of pure success for either party involved. As Durst faded away, so did his red Yankees cap - and so did the Yankees.

A certain someone challenged me, thinking that I wouldn't be able to write an essay on my recently founded theory of Fred Durst = Yankees Success. Well, more like said person probably figured I would never be so bored so soon as to actually write it. Well, classes are officially over until August 25 and before I start 'enjoying' the time off that is 'finals week' I thought I'd show the academic side of me.

For the past 7 years, we have been free of bad music (that's a lie, but as long as one horrible rap-metal band is no longer prosperous, it's a start) and are not inundated daily with the accomplishments of the Yankees (also a lie, unfortunately.) Well, at least I haven't had to watch them raise any Championship banners the past few years.

Fred Durst's stupid red Yankees cap was the driving force behind the Yankees success of the late 90s... well, that and the whole STEROIDS thing.