Yankee wins boost Corzine; maybe that's why Christie is a Mets fan
By Wally EdgeFor political pundits who think that there might be any connection between the results of the 2009 election and the outcome of a baseball game: statistically, New Jersey Democrats are more likely to win the governorship in years when the New York Yankees finish their season in first place. The Yankees have finished first twelve times in a gubernatorial election year, with the Democrats winning eight of those races. The Boston Red Sox have finished in first place three times in a year New Jerseyans were electing a Governor, and the Republicans won all three of those contests.
The Mets have only finished first during gubernatorial years twice, 1969 and 1973. Republicans won one and Democrats won one. Jon Corzine's Illinois roots may not be the only reason he is rooting for the Chicago White Sox: the only times the team played in the World Series in a New Jersey gubernatorial year, 1919 and 2005, Democrats captured the governorship. They beat a millionaire who self-financed his campaign in 1919, and elected one 76 years later.
South Jersey's team, the Philadelphia Phillies, has won two World Championships, six National League pennants, and won their division nine times. But in gubernatorial years, they have played post season games only twice, in 1977 and 1993. Both years featured Democratic Governors in trouble -- Brendan Byrne survived in '77, but James Florio lost in '93.
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Wally Edge
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Richard LaRossa
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Alan Steinberg
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Dr. Joseph Marbach
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Carla Katz
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Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
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