Earth to Boston: CALM DOWN!

Loyal readers of the blog know I'm from New England...Rhode Island to be exact which one friend recently stated was "a fly-over state." While I think he needs to spend more than one weekend there to make that judgment since it has more people in it than half the traditional "fly-over" states, was an original colony, is full of beautiful beaches and landmarks, and he's from upstate New York (I'll take the high road here, primarily because said friend also has a brother who will likely read this post).

One characteristic that comes from being a Rhode Islander is that you tend to embrace the Red Sox as your baseball team of choice (unless you hate baseball, grew up on the hill, or have family ties to Yankees fans). A nice thing about being outside Boston (and all of New England to be fair) these days is looking in on the fan base and realizing they can be freakin' insane from time to time. Don't get me wrong, I love almost everything to do with the Red Sox, but the three major exceptions are (1) Fever Pitch, (2) Bandwagon Fans, and (3) Ignorant or Illogical Fans. The first one I'll rant about sometime if Sayid Jarrah ever gets ahold of me and sticks bamboo shoots under my fingernails until I agree to watch the movie and #2 is one I'm sure I'll get to (especially if I see a pink Sox hat anytime soon in DC). But #3...it's your turn!

I don't understand the thought process in the minds of some Red Sox fans. Yes, all fan bases have their dunces, but given the rabid nature of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, coupled with the fact that the Sox have, for years, been on the losing end of it, has made many a member of Red Sox Nation lose it over something really trivial. The latest example: this little photograph that appeared on the airwaves and in newspapers late last week...

I first caught a glimpse of this image on PTI on Thursday night while waiting to meet family for dinner at Union Station. My first reaction: disappointment. Yes, I'll be honest, I was sad Brady is either a Yankees fan or pulling the "stylish use of a Yankees cap" move (see rap culture of early 2000's). If it's the latter, it's actually worse. I'd rather someone select a team and root for them even if it's the Yankees than to leech onto a team because it's popular or they're successful. But I'll assume it's a legitimate sports affilitation...

What was my next reaction? Acceptance. If you look at this in the stages of loss, there really is no reason to get angry or depressed, bargain or deny... it's his choice. Why do Sox fans think that because Tom Brady plays in Foxboro (not even Boston...) he has to be a fan of the local team? With the constant movement of most players in professional sports (particularly those who aren't franchise players), how can you expect them to abandon their sports affiliations on a whim whenever they relocate? If you knew a diehard Boston fan who moved from Boston to New York and immediately became a diehard Yankees fan, you would torment him! How can you so easily switch sides? This is why Jimmy Fallon is an ass...how can he call himself a Yankees fan, then star in a Red Sox movie and claim (right after they win the World Series by the way) that he's become a Sox fan because he appreciates the fanbase, then state he likes both teams*? That kind of shady sports bigamy, particularly between two teams in the biggest rivalry in the United States, doesn't fly...

"My affection for the Red Sox did not begin 18 months ago when I was cast as 'Ben' in 'Fever Pitch,' it started when I was starring as 'Sully' on SNL, and it does not end today. I will remain a Red Sox fan whenever I'm in Boston but will remain a Yankee fan everywhere else I travel.
From Boston Dirt Dogs: http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/2005/11/fallon_down.html

Back to Brady, keep in mind he went to school in Michigan. Should we expect him to be a Tigers fan? Or how about a Giants or A's fans having grown up in San Mateo, California? The fact of the matter is he more than likely became a baseball fan well before he got drafted by the Patriots. Just because you play for one team in the area by no means obligates you to root for another! Boston needs to recognize this and accept that it doesn't matter who he roots for in other sports so long as he supports our organization while he's playing for us, tries his best, and never EVER plays for the Colts or the Jets...or Steelers, Dolphins, or Chargers...

...or Cowboys.

While we're on the topic of Boston fans overreacting, here's another one...
Hooray! A photo pun! Back in 2000, it was Roger who overreacted. This time, it's Sox fans. Clemens signed on with the Yankees and everyone suddenly freaked out about it. How did you not see this coming?!? As soon as the Yankees had injury problems, you knew Steinbrenner was going to get him. I think the Rocket was a lock to be in the Bronx this year based on Houston's "performance" of late, but I never even thought he would end up in Boston.

First of all, why did you want him back? After the bad blood when he left, the signing in New York after he was so adamant about never playing for the Yankees while in Boston, the history of the rivalry when he was in pinstripes...you were willing to forget all that, but you won't forgive Johnny Damon for leaving when the Boston brass treated him like crap in the offseason last year? That makes no sense... it was only 4 or 5 years ago!

Next, what more will he do for us? We have the best rotation we've had in years...is it really worth $2 million a start to have him as our fifth starter for half the year? I know Schilling might be in denial saying that Clemens is not an improvement over Tavares, but at the same time he's not going to make a major difference in our record at the end of the year. Lets say Tavares finishes with a 4.50 ERA and Clemens with a 2.50 ERA (both being a little conservative). You mean to tell me the Sox will be involved in that many close games between July 1st (when he would likely start if he went to Boston) and October 1st on the fifth starter's day that our record would fluctuate that much? Please...

Finally, yes, he was a great pitcher in Boston and a Hall of Famer. But in the end, you'd just be pissed off when he still went into the Hall as a Yankee after he came back and "made up" with the fans. He's going to go in wearing a NY cap, folks...time to come to terms.

Anyways, let me state to reassure you that I am and will always be a Sox fan. I am completely involved in the Yankees-Sox rivalry, but I take it in without clouding my better judgment. I just get pissed off with idiot fans sometimes... they exist everywhere, but ours are just drunker, louder, and make the news more often (no offense, Philadelphia).



See you all Thursday after a quick two-day break for my exam...