The Thing About the Red Sox
Let’s get this out in the open. As a Yankees fan, I don’t generally spend much energy harping about other teams, (this is part of what it means to root for the greatest franchise in American team sports history,) but it’s September again, and the Red Sox are fighting for the division again. They have a very good team again and their fans, along with simple Yankee haters looking for somewhere positive to channel all their bile, are again hopeful that this will be The Year The Curse is Broken. And it may be. I’m rational enough about my baseball to recognize and admit that, curse aside, this Boston team is completely capable of making a deep run in the playoffs.
But here’s the thing. Let’s say that the Red Sox, who just a month ago were fighting for the Wild Card, storm all the way back and win the American League East. And let’s say that the Yankees don’t just lose the division, but crash and burn and miss the Wild Card and the playoffs altogether. Or better still, let’s say that the Yanks get the Wild Card, but are crushed in the ALCS by the Sox. And let’s further say that Boston goes on to beat a very good Cardinals team (or whomever) in the World Series and ends the Curse. I don’t expect any of that to happen, but let’s say it did.
It wouldn’t matter.
It wouldn’t change the fact that it’s been 85 years since they’ve won it all.
It wouldn’t change the fact that for the better part of a hundred years, that franchise and it’s fans have found their identity in not being the Yankees and that that’s an identity founded on failure.
It wouldn’t change the fact that a team who’s All-Time roster includes names like Foxx, Speaker, Yastrzemski, Rice, Boggs, and Williams has been mismanaged so badly over the years, from both the dugout and the front office, that they haven’t been able to win big. (There’s your curse.)
Or that they've been one game away from it four times. One game.
It wouldn’t change the fact that Dan Duquette let Roger Clemens get away when he still had multiple Cy Young Awards in him.
It wouldn’t change the fact that Carlton Fisk’s historic World Series home run didn't matter.
That Manny Ramirez is the worst outfielder I think I’ve ever seen. Worst base runner too.
That Bucky Dent had only hit four home runs in 1978 before the day he went yard in Fenway, and that the only reason that one mattered was that the Red Sox had blown a double digit games lead late in the season.
That Buckner let that ball get through him.
That Pedro Martinez tried to beat up a seventy-two year old man.
That Aaron Boon was a Yankee just long enough to hit the biggest home run of his life.
That Theo Epstein couldn’t get the ARod deal done.
That BoSox owner Harry Frazee sold The Babe to the Yankees for $100,000 to finance a show called No No Nanette (which flopped) and that Boston hasn’t won the World Series since. Pete Rose bet on baseball and has been punished with a lifetime ban from the game. Frazee gambled on musical theater, lost, and his baseball progeny have been punished with something similarly painful (except to those of us who’re enjoying it).
So hate all you want--we like it. Print your “Yankees suck--Jeter SWALLOWS” tee shirts and wear your “You Can Take Your 27 Rings and Shove them Up Your Ass!” hats with pride. Boo the Yanks ‘til your lungs bleed and cheer for the Boston nine with whatever’s left. Get all worked up about the prospect of actually winning the division (ooh!) and dream about winning it all. It’s kinda cute.
And it doesn’t matter.
But here’s the thing. Let’s say that the Red Sox, who just a month ago were fighting for the Wild Card, storm all the way back and win the American League East. And let’s say that the Yankees don’t just lose the division, but crash and burn and miss the Wild Card and the playoffs altogether. Or better still, let’s say that the Yanks get the Wild Card, but are crushed in the ALCS by the Sox. And let’s further say that Boston goes on to beat a very good Cardinals team (or whomever) in the World Series and ends the Curse. I don’t expect any of that to happen, but let’s say it did.
It wouldn’t matter.
It wouldn’t change the fact that it’s been 85 years since they’ve won it all.
It wouldn’t change the fact that for the better part of a hundred years, that franchise and it’s fans have found their identity in not being the Yankees and that that’s an identity founded on failure.
It wouldn’t change the fact that a team who’s All-Time roster includes names like Foxx, Speaker, Yastrzemski, Rice, Boggs, and Williams has been mismanaged so badly over the years, from both the dugout and the front office, that they haven’t been able to win big. (There’s your curse.)
Or that they've been one game away from it four times. One game.
It wouldn’t change the fact that Dan Duquette let Roger Clemens get away when he still had multiple Cy Young Awards in him.
It wouldn’t change the fact that Carlton Fisk’s historic World Series home run didn't matter.
That Manny Ramirez is the worst outfielder I think I’ve ever seen. Worst base runner too.
That Bucky Dent had only hit four home runs in 1978 before the day he went yard in Fenway, and that the only reason that one mattered was that the Red Sox had blown a double digit games lead late in the season.
That Buckner let that ball get through him.
That Pedro Martinez tried to beat up a seventy-two year old man.
That Aaron Boon was a Yankee just long enough to hit the biggest home run of his life.
That Theo Epstein couldn’t get the ARod deal done.
That BoSox owner Harry Frazee sold The Babe to the Yankees for $100,000 to finance a show called No No Nanette (which flopped) and that Boston hasn’t won the World Series since. Pete Rose bet on baseball and has been punished with a lifetime ban from the game. Frazee gambled on musical theater, lost, and his baseball progeny have been punished with something similarly painful (except to those of us who’re enjoying it).
So hate all you want--we like it. Print your “Yankees suck--Jeter SWALLOWS” tee shirts and wear your “You Can Take Your 27 Rings and Shove them Up Your Ass!” hats with pride. Boo the Yanks ‘til your lungs bleed and cheer for the Boston nine with whatever’s left. Get all worked up about the prospect of actually winning the division (ooh!) and dream about winning it all. It’s kinda cute.
And it doesn’t matter.
6 Comments:
that may well be the best sports column i have ever read. you the man, ben.
You write incredibly descriptive. I didn't know alot of detail about the curse or about YOUR Yanks, but now I do, and maybe, just maybe I understand a little of the emotion that goes into being a Yank or Sox fan. I on the other hand still love the Tigers. Say what you will, I'm old and enjoy my memories. You need to send this BLOG to someone who will print it for the world to read and comment on.
Ma
You go on for an awfully long time about stuff that (supposedly) doesn't matter.
Well, I think that the current Red Sox team has far too much hair to participate in or win the Series. That has to add wind resistance. Plus, if they don't cut it soon, I don't think most of the team will be able to see. They look like they've been surviving in the mountains for several months, far from razors and scissors. (note damon, pedro and manny) -Ruthie
Well said, sis. (That's Carolyn, BTW)
you tell em, ken! i mean, ruth. :)
and, i agree, someone better cut their hair so they can't use not being able to see as an excuse.
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