Part 3/10:
A key point raised pertains to how expectations affected perceptions of the team and its players. When the Yankees were favored to win the World Series but fell short, media and fans often pointed out failures—fans tend to scrutinize shortcomings more intensely when high hopes are dashed. The speaker suggests that the criticism of Jeter and A-Rod, especially in these moments, may stem from a feeling that they “fed into” or were part of the narrative that the team underperformed—a narrative perhaps amplified by media, fans, and even organizational whispers.