Your Favorite Sport? Your Favorite Team?
by Brian DiedrickIn old films set in New York City, when a fella gets into a cab, it seems that the conversation generally turns to either the local ball team, or the big fight. These days, one might assume cricket is among the favorite sport of our city’s taxis — not so, gentle reader, read on…
Muhammed
Where I hailed him: Union Square
Where he hails from: Bangladesh
Years as a cabbie: 3
Previous profession: I like football — soccer. I always supported Argentina, but after Maradona I have not really supported anyone. When I was a student, I watched football all the time, but now I am always working, working, working. In Bangladesh, some people like Argentina for football and some people like Brazil — it is one or the other.
Syed
Where I hailed him: LES
Where he hails from: Bangladesh
Years as a cabbie: 11
Previous profession: Hotel worker
Basketball I like. I support New York because I live in New York — so I support the Knicks. But mostly I just like if somebody is playing well [which, our intrepid correspondent notes, would seem to throw the Knicks out of the running]. I know that right now they are not so good, but I don’t have much time to watch anyway. In my country most people like either football — soccer — or cricket, but I like basketball because when I was growing up in school, I played basketball. I didn’t play that well, but I like to watch it.
Arthur
Where I hailed him: East Village
Where he hails from: Trinidad
Years as a cabbie: 7
Previous profession: Delivery man
The Mets, man. This year they are going to be good. Have you seen them play? It is a good team. This year is going to be a good year for them. They got the pitching and good hitting. All the way to the World Series this year. I think I may go to see a game. I haven’t been in four, five years.
Paulo
Where I hailed him: Upper West Side
Where he hails from: Brazil
Years as a cabbie: 24
Previous profession: Limousine driver
Soccer — I’m from Brazil. What else is it going to be? Who do I support? Cruzeiro. You’ve probably never heard of them, but they won the Brazillian triple crown in 2003 — no team has ever done that before. Ronaldo? Ronaldinho? Yes, big stars, those guys. But I can’t watch them because I work all night, and I have no television. Here’s one more thing to put in your magazine. I AM THE BEST CAB DRIVER IN NEW YORK! Did you see that green light? I knew it would be there when we turned. If kept going down Broadway we’d be stuck. I know the traffic lights after midnight — I’ve studied them. Every day driving, I learn something new.
Ahmad
Where I hailed him: Midtown East
Where he hails from: Egypt
Years as a cabbie: 2
Previous profession: Retail
Soccer — I love the Egyptian team. We just beat Senegal in the African Cup finals back in February. I ordered satellite and took off from driving to watch! You have to do that sometimes. It was really great, because we were also the host country. The World Cup? Unfortunately we did not qualify this year. But I can’t wait for 2010. The Cup on African soil. I know we will make it.
Goushi
Where I hailed him: West Village
Where he hails from: Japan
Years as a cabbie: 4
Previous profession: Student
Baseball — that’s my sport. I’m a Yomiuri Giants fan... that’s who I grew up watching. Yes, they’re pretty much the Yankees of Japan. But that means they win a lot. It’s great because I love Matsui too. We came to New York at about the same time. I hope he can have another good season this year. I was disappointed when he didn’t play in the WBC. But Japan — how about that win? You can’t take us lightly!
