Why I Love The Redsox...

[sbloombe]

Hey,

 

This is a column I wrote for sportblognow.blogspot.com I though you guys might enjoy it...

 

 

Around the same time that Dave Henderson was hitting the biggest home run in Redsox history since 1975, my mom was going into labor with me. I was nearly a month late, probably refusing to enter this world until it looked like the Redsox were going to win the ALCS. Well, at least that's what I'd like to think, my mom would just tell you I was stubborn.

 

I obviously don't remember that game, but it was the beginning of a life-long relationship with the loveable losers, the team that always fell short, the team that pulled off one incredible miracle... the Boston Redsox.

 

My earliest memory of the Redsox was in 1993, when I was 7. My older cousin was diagnosed with Leukimia, and the Jimmy Fund saved his life. I remember going into his room and seeing the Redsox autographs, hearing him talk about meeting the players, and hearing my uncle brag about speaking Spanish with Tony Pena. I remember that my cousin always wore a Redsox hat to cover up his bald head. I remember that the Redsox helped save his life.

 

I also remember my Grandmothers. My parents were never big baseball fans, but my Grandmothers were. When my Maternal Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and couldn't remember that she put the TV remote in the fridge, she still remembered "that handsome left fielder at Fenway Park." She was, of course, talking about Ted Williams, who she used to go see with my Grandpa when they lived in Boston.

 

My Paternal Grandma is one of the biggest and most stereotypical Redsox fans you'll ever meet. She has been following the Sox since elementary school, which I'm pretty sure was in the 17th century. She has listened to or seen almost every Redsox game since the 1940's. Grandma always had a group of players she liked, and hated everyone else. If you were a middle reliever for the Sox between 1945 and 2006, there's a good chance my Grandma would like to beat you over the head with a wooden bat. She also hates every Sox manager. "Jimy Williams mother is illiterate; everyone knows that 'Jimy' has 2 M's." "All Francona (she pronounces it Franconia) does is nod his head up and down and spit tobacco."

 

Here's the thing: Grandma was given 6 months to a year in 2001. When the Sox didn't win the World Series that year, it was one of the saddest days of my life. Fortunately, she beat the odds and saw them win it all in 2004. I was talking to her when it happened. Furthermore, she's excited about Dice-K, but insists that Franconia won't know when to pull him.

 

I remember Jose Canseco. Jose was my favorite player in the world until a guy named Nomar came along. I must have had 50 Jose Canseco baseball cards. He was jacked (now we know why...), and could hit the ball 600 feet, seemingly. When the Sox traded him in 1996, I cried. I vowed never to be a Sox fan again, and may have followed through with that if two things didn't happen:

 

1. I had written a letter to Jimy Williams and Dan Duqette asking them to offer Mo Vaughn for Jeff Bagwell. Needless to say, it didn't happen, but Jimy Williams sent me a letter back along with an autographed picture. I thought it was so cool that the Redsox manager actually read my letter. It made me feel like I was part of the team or something.

2. Two words: Nomar Garciaparra. Nomar swept over New England like a February noreaster. He was Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Johnny Pesky all rolled into one. The most important thing he did was give people hope. As long as we had Nomar, we had a chance, and a chance is all you need in baseball.

 

I remember Pedro. Pedro did the same thing as Nomar, but better. He gave us more than a chance, he gave us a chance to see something amazing every time he pitched. 20 strikeouts? Sure. No-hitter? I'd believe it. Getting duct-taped to a pole in the dugout? Absolutely. I won't be shy about it: I think Pedro was the best pitcher of all time over a 5 year span. Considering the era of small parks, juiced balls, steroids, and HGH he was pitching in, there is no comparison for what he did. The 1999 All-Star game at Fenway is a perfect example. He struck out 5 of 6 batters, including McGwire and Sosa, in 2 innings of work.

 

Sadly, I don't think Pedro was ever fully appreciated until he was gone. Sometimes, you have to take in the moment, or else it passes you by and you're expecting a Japanese guy named Matsuzaka to bring you back to it.

 

I remember pessimism. I remember thinking that they'd always find a way to lose. The Sox will never win, the Yankees will always come out on top. "Who are these new owners?" "Are they going to tear down Fenway?" "A 28 year-old GM? Huh?"

 

I remember improvement. New bathrooms, new seats, new Monster seats, new concession areas, new grass, new scoreboards; new everything, same park.

 

New players... smart players... funny players... likeable players. Kevin Millar, Billy Mueller, Mark Bellhorn, Keith Foulke, David Ortiz, Johnny Damon. Guys who blended in perfectly with the Trot Nixon's, Manny Ramirez's, and Nomar Garciaparra's of the world. Guys who would literally fight and bleed for this team. Guys who knew we were sick of losing. No more "25 guys, 25 cabs" in Boston. This was a team in every sense of the word.

 

Then I remember heart-break. We were so close to ending the seemingly endless disappointment of a nation constantly falling into an abyss of let-downs. One pitch away... but that's how it always was.

 

Until 2004.

 

I don't need to go into that, though. If you've read this far, you probably know how that felt.

 

Euphoria.

 

And now? That level of euphoria will never be captured again. There is no encore that can top that, no drama more exciting, and no comparable feeling of exuberance, but with every new season since 2004 there has been the hope that a fraction of that euphoria can be re-captured, re-lived, and in some small way replicated.

 

Is 2007 that season? Only time will tell, but I couldn't be more anxious to find out, and that's why I love the Redsox.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

-Scott

sportblognow.blogspot.com

[seabeachfred]

Scott, we all love the Red Sox if we follow that team and I can tell you that rooting for them is like rooting for no other team anywhere in any sport. Some of my friends here know that I am generally a late comer, only my seventh season and I still feel a little put upon that I didn't see this club as the one for me until I was nearly 60. Reminds me so much of the Brooklyn Dodgers of my early New York years, only better. The teams I root for in college or pro football (Navy and Miami), basketball (the Lakers and Texas Tech), hockey (the Ducks), well, if they lose I am unhappy but I can get over it and get a good night's sleep. With the Red Sox it is blood on the moon and anything goes--and usually does. I think you will find the Red Sox fans on this board are not only diehards but very knowledgeable and ready to help all newcomers feel at home.

[TGov]

I miss Nomah...Best shortstop in Sox history IMO... The thing I don't like the most these days are the fans who aren't fans... if you know what I'm talking about... for example, you may see someone in a Sox cap and shirt but they won't know the lineup... I see more and more of them, they're just annoying... but that's what I like on this site everyone knows there stuff, and cares... ok I just got really off-topic...

 

Sounds like a good blog, it's pretty deep, so it shows how much you care about the "lovable losers" as you put it... We all know they break our hearts but they also have great comeback, mostly because of, well you know... Big Papi... and of course '04 gave us a lot of hope that they will do it again... this year looks really good, great team and I like how Tito manages most of the time... rotation looks solid especially if Lester come back big or we sign Clemens... Bullpen looks better than last year, and pretty good so far... the Lineup is better than last year, Drew looks great so far, Pedroia looks to be coming along very well also...

Keep the Faith, isn't that what they said in '04... well I'm still keeping it and believing... maybe they'll do it again... either way I'll still be a Red Sox fan... GO SOX!!!

[Dana Kiecker]

Nomar was a cancer.

 

And a roid user.

 

And a pouting bitch.

[VA Sox Fan]

I miss Nomah...Best shortstop in Sox history IMO... /QUOTE]

 

 

I guess you missed last season b/c Alex Gonzalez was the best Sox SS in my lifetime, defensively.

 

Nomar may have been the most beloved and a fan favorite. He was great, I got teary-eyed when he was traded, I'm a chick, so I can do that from time to time.

 

But it was time for him to go. He knew it, Theo knew it and the team knew it. Thank goodness Theo had the balz to make that move......2004 was the best, especially after the trade.

[Taliesin]

Burleson

Aparicio

Petrocelli

 

Gonzo was the best defensive SS I've seen personally on the team. I think there is a bet in the f.o about how many infield combos they can put out there in the shortest period of time.

 

I also don't think any of the afore-mentioned moped on the bench during one of the most exciting and tense series in the past decade. Revisionist history and all of that and those guys played on a lot of 25 cab teams,....but Nomah lost me on that night. He's like the fifth Beatle. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. But there are no banners flying over The Fens w/out his exit at the trading deadline of that fateful year.

[ThirdBase]

I became a Sox fan in the mid-nineties after I moved to Mass. I've been amazed at the fact that when you become a Sox fan, you inherit the past 100 years. I cringe when I hear the name Bucky Dent even though I never saw him play, and I wave my arms like a madman when I see Fisk's homer.

 

My son was born in Sept. 04, and I painted his room as Fenway Park. I felt guilty for a month about potentially raising my son to root for a team that will break his heart. But now when he sees Big Pappi, he raises his arms, flipps his cap, and jumps on home plate.

 

If I never see them win another one it will all be worth it. There's nothing like rooting for the Sox!

[seabeachfred]

Nomar was a cancer.

 

And a roid user.

 

And a pouting bitch.

 

Dana, maybe you can tell why there is all this sudden nostalgia for Nomar. He turned out to be a real *******. July 1, 2004 is all anyone has to know. We are fighting to salvage one of the three games in a crucial Yankee series, the players are on the steps of the dugout cheering each other on and that prick is sitting on his ass like he couldn't give a s***. Right then and there he was became a useless encumbrance for our team and thank God we got rid of him. Notice what happened soon after; we took off and eventually pulled off that miracle. Nomar? He went to the Cubs, was injured, made a modest comeback and then was shown the door by Chicago. He landed in LA and has done a pretty good job so far but it wouldn't surprise me if he went into another funk sooner or later. He was no team player at all for us in the end. f*** him.::thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown

[seabeachfred]

Burleson

Aparicio

Petrocelli

 

Gonzo was the best defensive SS I've seen personally on the team. I think there is a bet in the f.o about how many infield combos they can put out there in the shortest period of time.

 

I also don't think any of the afore-mentioned moped on the bench during one of the most exciting and tense series in the past decade. Revisionist history and all of that and those guys played on a lot of 25 cab teams,....but Nomah lost me on that night. He's like the fifth Beatle. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. But there are no banners flying over The Fens w/out his exit at the trading deadline of that fateful year.

 

Tal, you might like this story. It is Downey, California early February, 1962 and I am in the small gym of an elementary school waiting for my future boss to come in and hire me as a recreation leader for the school district. Great job for a college student. I'm waiting shooting baskets when this 11 year fresh faced kid lets me know that he wants to shoot baskets too, and then tells me he is a great baseball player and will someday play in the Big Leagues. Rick Burleson. He knew what the hell he was talking about. Never coached him. He was always one year behind where I was coaching whether it was Pony, Colt or Connie Mack. I eventually moved to another community but I followed the kid's career. He was a real tough competitor and played hard and worked his ass off.

[VaTechV-Tek]

I don't know, I still like nomar for this reason. Right after we won it all there was a surge in the number of boston hats, etc... to the point where it was almost trendy all around washington dc where I live. It got to be so bad there was even somewhat of a backlash - people began questioning you on whether you were a fair weather fan and I was over and over again asked "are you from boston?" My Garciaparra shirt was a clear sign to these critics that not only was I proud that my team won, but I was also a fan when we lost - and not just like wearing a classic jersey, but even up to the year before. Yes, I wasn't happy that he didn't shave his head with the rest of the idiots because he was getting married, but hey I still like him anyway. just my opinion.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

f*** him.::thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown

 

I couldn't disagree with this any stronger. I can understand being disheartened after the offseason that Nomar experienced...he was the face of the franchise for a number of years and the second-coming of Ted Williams and then all of a sudden, he's to be on a plane headed to Chicago for Magglio Ordonez? I'd be pissed if I were Nomar, too. I do know this...he never held anything against the fans of Boston. I met him at Spring Training immediatley following that whole debacle and he was the guy signing autographs and posing for pictures after practice for an hour a day and making himself available to his fans. He recognized that it was a dick move by the FO and had nothing to do with the people that had come to adore him all these years.

 

Do I think that being upset, disappointed, and depressed lead to his poor play? I don't think it's completley at fault, but I think that there's something to it. Whether or not you choose to believe he quit on the team or whatever, that's up to you...I personally don't. I wish Nomar the absolute best in the years to come and hope things continue to work out well for him in LA.

[seabeachfred]

I couldn't disagree with this any stronger. I can understand being disheartened after the offseason that Nomar experienced...he was the face of the franchise for a number of years and the second-coming of Ted Williams and then all of a sudden, he's to be on a plane headed to Chicago for Magglio Ordonez? I'd be pissed if I were Nomar, too. I do know this...he never held anything against the fans of Boston. I met him at Spring Training immediatley following that whole debacle and he was the guy signing autographs and posing for pictures after practice for an hour a day and making himself available to his fans. He recognized that it was a dick move by the FO and had nothing to do with the people that had come to adore him all these years.

 

Do I think that being upset, disappointed, and depressed lead to his poor play? I don't think it's completley at fault, but I think that there's something to it. Whether or not you choose to believe he quit on the team or whatever, that's up to you...I personally don't. I wish Nomar the absolute best in the years to come and hope things continue to work out well for him in LA.

 

That was a good retort to my post HeadNation, well written. I happen to live in the LA area and I follow the Dodgers in the NL and hope they do well this year, but I still hold to my belief that Nomar tanked on us. Before he was traded, when we thought he was ready to come back and play, he told club officials he needed to take more time off and yet when he got to Chicago and was asked how he felt he said "Fine Now." What kind of s*** was that?

 

He got really miffed in the off season 2003-2004 when his was to be included in a trade as was Manny Ramirez. We were to get A-Rod and Ordonez in exchange for those two. As everyone knows the deals fell through. Well Manny, who everyone likes to criticize, went on to hit 308, lead the league with 43 homers, and drive in his usual 100+ runs and leading the Red Sox to the World Series Championship and Series MVP while Nomar sulked the whole time he was with us that year until we sent his ass out of town.

 

Yes, I hope Nomar was well for the Dodgers and helps them win but he layed down on the job for the team I love like no other and I stay f*** him for doing it.

[castigs850]

Dana' date=' maybe you can tell why there is all this sudden nostalgia for Nomar. [/quote']

 

now im not dana obv, but maybe you could tell me why everyone in redsox nation immediately felt like s*** because of how badly we laid into buckner all those years. we finally won and you cant blame anyone for feeling bad for guys who were treated poorly by either us, the media, or the FO.

 

my point is if its not clear already, everything looks a lot better after you get a taste of victory

[CrespoBlows]

now im not dana obv' date=' but maybe you could tell me why everyone in redsox nation immediately felt like s*** because of how badly we laid into buckner all those years. we finally won and you cant blame anyone for feeling bad for guys who were treated poorly by either us, the media, or the FO.[/quote']

 

I still don't feel like s***.

 

Nomar can go f*** himself.

[Taliesin]

I loved the Rooster. I'm not entirely sure I ever got over the three of them leaving at around the same time. Rough for a 12 year old dreamer. Lynn, Fisk, Rooster. Didn't get it. Still don't. I think at the time for me, Lynn's leaving was the worst. I'll never forget the summer of 75. Never.

 

I think if you asked all three today...they would say the same. Regrets about a short-sighted view. Baseball is history. And history has a long memory. Hello and goodbye..Johnny Damon. You are now just a footnote when you could have been a legend.

 

Not enough words why I love this team. I'll try to be more erudite when I haven't had 4 Jack and Cokes. But, they are just there every April through September (and the painful Octobers) for every year of my life that I can remember. And, it's spring. It's renewal. It's f***ing life is what baseball is. It's sex and love and everything good. It's hope. And that's all.

[a700hitter]

Why I love the Red Sox?

 

I was 8 years old and 1967 happened. It still is the most captivating pennant race I can remember. It brought baseball back to life in New England as the joy of that summer swept over the entire region that had been in the doldrums since for a couple of decades. Two heroes were born-- Yaz and Lonborg. Lonborg's flame went out too fast, but we had Yaz to watch for another 15 or 16 years. That summer set the franchise on an upward trajectory that continues until today. Every overpaid multi-millionaire that passes through the Fenway's home clubhouse should pay homage to that team.

 

As for Nomar, he was a pure joy to watch play the game with all his energy and quirkiness until the bitch Mia Hamm got hold of him and he turned into a sour puss that had no intention of re-signing with Boston before the ARod fiasco. He screwed himself passing on 4years/$60 million. He must really regret that. As much as some spoiled brats complain about playing in Boston, I think most of those who leave regret leaving. In his heart of hearts, I think Damon misses the place. He's just another player in NY. He doesn't have his trademark long hair or beard, and most of all no legions of fans wearing beards and wigs following him from town to town.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Not enough words why I love this team. I'll try to be more erudite when I haven't had 4 Jack and Cokes. But, they are just there every April through September (and the painful Octobers) for every year of my life that I can remember. And, it's spring. It's renewal. It's f***ing life is what baseball is. It's sex and love and everything good. It's hope. And that's all.

 

Hands down one of the best paragraphs I've ever read on this board. Kudos to you, ma'am. It rivals Terence Mann: "The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come."

[jacksonianmarch]

not sir, its ma'am.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

not sir' date=' its ma'am.[/quote']

 

Appologies...fixed.

[BruinsFan]

Dana' date=' maybe you can tell why there is all this sudden nostalgia for Nomar. He turned out to be a real *******. July 1, 2004 is all anyone has to know. We are fighting to salvage one of the three games in a crucial Yankee series, the players are on the steps of the dugout cheering each other on and that prick is sitting on his ass like he couldn't give a s***. Right then and there he was became a useless encumbrance for our team and thank God we got rid of him. Notice what happened soon after; we took off and eventually pulled off that miracle. Nomar? He went to the Cubs, was injured, made a modest comeback and then was shown the door by Chicago. He landed in LA and has done a pretty good job so far but it wouldn't surprise me if he went into another funk sooner or later. He was no team player at all for us in the end. f*** him.::thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown[/quote']

 

 

Um, I won't comment on most of it, but July 1st 2004 sucked. Jeter did make a great play though.

 

How did they pull that s*** off?

 

::remembers october 04::

 

Nevermind, I'm happy now.