Red Sox Questionnaire

[seabeachfred]

That's a two stage question for me.

 

I was a fan in the late 80's early 90's (Boggs, Clemens, Burks, etc) but I petered out in the mid 90's because, among other things, I was a little too depressed to really want to do anything at all, much less follow a baseball team (seriously, you guys think I'm a bit crazy -- I'm 10,000x better than I was at 16yo)

 

When I got to college around '03, I fell in love with the team again. Gray Little broke my heart right along with everyone else's. As rusty as I was as a fan, I knew from the commentator that Pedro had already done his I'm-done celebration thingee and that he had no business still being out there. Looked for all the world like nothing had changed and nothing was ever going to. I walked away from the game after that, and honestly thought I was doing it for good.

 

I got wind of what they were starting to do in '04 only after about game 5 of the 2004 ALCS when the murmur of what was going on overcame even my self-imposed exile. That's literally what it took to win me back after the fiasco of the prior year. When I realized that the Sox had had a chance to make another epic failure and had actually managed to avoid doing so, I was cautiously on board again.

 

I heard The Slap over a crackly AM radio station in northern Maine, and its aftermath brought everything back. When I realized that came-changing calls were actually going against the Yankees in elimination games during the postseason, I made sure I was in front of a TV for the rest of the postseason. Because if one impossible thing can happen, maybe others can as well.

 

Ironically, it was the fiasco of 2006 that brought me on board for the regular season. I loved that disastrous season more than I ever thought possible. I guess I find it in myself more easily to love a flawed team than one that goes out there and wins and no big deal.

 

2007 was still the first and only Championship season I followed from Spring Training to the last pitch.

 

 

 

Dad was a Padres fan when he was a kid growing up out west, and when we moved to Maine he would listen to the Red Sox on the radio. He almost made an Expos fan of me because he liked (and always has liked) National League ball better, and because I grew up with no way to watch the Sox on TV but plenty of chances to watch the Spos. I guess I became a Sox fan because that way I could talk to the people around me on more or less equal footing about "my" team. Kinda shallow, sure, but I guess we all have to start somewhere.

 

I still have a soft spot in my heart for the Expos and was heartbroken when they moved to Washington.

 

 

 

Mmm. Well, Paps just moved on, Tek moved on, Wakefield moved on, Pedro and Schill have been gone for awhile, Papi's cool for now but he's at the point in his career where I've gotten comfortable with the idea that the team will be moving on from him soon. Beckett's an idiot, Lester's a good pitcher but kinda a vanilla personality, I liked Youks better at first base, saying Pedroia is just trite, I've always been kinda skeptical on Buchholz, a lot of the other guys are unproven.. Hmm, that's a tough one.

 

Ahh what the heck, you all know my answer. A mix of "the next one" and "the one who's currently getting treated worse than he deserves by the fans."

 

 

Roger Clemens.

 

DON'T JUDGE ME!

 

Sorry guys, I'm a product of my generation, and was still submerged in depressed indifference during Pedro's peak. It didn't end well, either with the Sox or overall, but Clemens was a stud and I'll always remember him fondly.

 

 

Can't think of one. I don't waste a lot of time hating, either at the time or afterward.

 

 

 

Maine

 

 

the bloody sock.

 

 

 

never been. I want to go someday but the $$$$ has never been there for it.

 

 

See the above answer about least favorite Red Sox. If pushed, probably A-Rod but I just don't like hating people.

 

 

 

You're a Red Sox fan all right Dojii----a real nut. I wish I could get my wife to read some of these missives you guys write---she would then understand me much better. My wife knows me better than I know myself, but there is one glaring exception. Linda just doesn't understand my devotion to the Red Sox, and it is really hard to explain unless you're one yourself. I'll bet dollars to donuts you can read me very well.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

How long have you been a fan? Since May of 2003.

 

How did you become a Red Sox fan? I never really liked baseball growing up, I was always into football. I kinda hated it for awhile actually. But when I was in high school ROTC my freshman year they had a field trip to go to see the Red Sox against the Twins. I thought it'd be cool to go since I heard about Fenway Park before and how it's supposedly great. I ended up going, sitting by myself in the grandstand behind home plate. The sox lost that day, but I fell in love. When I walked into Fenway it was pretty much the greatest thing ever in my life at that point. It was so big, so beautiful. The green monster was mind blowing at first. It was my first sporting event ever and it was overwhelming. Then during the game it was awesome to see how intense everyone was about the game. It was like there were 30,000 people there, but they all shared 1 brain for the time they were there.

 

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player? David Ortiz. I will never forget all his walkoffs and everything

 

Who is your favorite all-time Red Sox player? Since I've been watching? Ramirez. Sorry. Also Wakefield. Before then, maybe Jim Rice

 

Who is your least favorite Red Sox player ever? John Lackey, JD Drew, Lugo

 

What state/country do you live in (to see how spread out the fan base is here)? Western Massachusetts

 

What is your favorite memory being a Red Sox fan? Bill Mueller's walkoff in July 2004 after that insane game where Tek slapped A-Rod and 2004 ALCS. Favorite in person moment was going to a game in 2005 where Wakefield pitched a CG against the Angels where Ortiz hit a walkoff in the bottom of the 9th. I actually won the tickets for that game on this board I believe. Whoever was responsible for that, I thank you so so so much.

 

When was the first time you ever went to Fenway Park? May 4th(?), 2003

 

Who is your least favorite Yankee player of all-time? A-Rod of course. Texiera. And though he was long before my time I'd say Reggie Jackson. Seemed like an annoying prick

 

Any other comments that you would like to add? huh...wow

[Cocos Disciples]

How long have you been a fan? Since 1999. I was 7.

How did you become a Red Sox fan? My dad has a share in season tickets so I would go to games when I was little, but I didn't get really into it until I started playing little league myself. I saw Nomar's quirks at the plate and emulated them in my games (yeah I was one of those kids). I also was engrossed by Pedro in 1999 and 2000, and would actually get upset when he didn't get 10 strikeouts in a game, even if the Sox won.

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player? Pedroia and Lester.

Who is your favorite all-time Red Sox player? Pedro and Nomar.

Who is your least favorite Red Sox player ever? Julio Lugo. Also Craig Grebeck, because he was an especially terrible player in one of my first seasons of being a big fan.

What state/country do you live in (to see how spread out the fan base is here)? I live in Maryland, but I'm from Boston.

What is your favorite memory being a Red Sox fan? Being at Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS. I was only 12 but I was already conditioned to an inferiority complex to the Yankees, so seeing them battle throughout that game and pull it off was amazing.

When was the first time you ever went to Fenway Park? I think 1997, but I'm not positive.

Who is your least favorite Yankee player of all-time? Who is Karim Garcia?

Any other comments that you would like to add? It recently dawned on me that if I don't move back to Boston after college, I won't be going to Sox games. Bummer.

[InfernoOrangeSS]

How long have you been a fan?

Ever since my Grandfather invited me to watch the 1975 WS. (I was 8.)

 

How did you become a Red Sox fan?

I followed my Grandfather's team. The rest of my family were all Yankee fans.

 

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player?

Adrian Gonzalez

 

Who is your favorite all-time Red Sox player?

Probably Ted Williams...Dom DiMaggio for being so good and always in the shadow of his brother...Though, I will always love Kevin Millar.

 

Who is your least favorite Red Sox player ever?

Roger Clemens...I thought it was petty to make his departure personal.

 

What state/country do you live in (to see how spread out the fan base is here)? Birmingham, AL...but I grew up in South Florida.

 

What is your favorite memory being a Red Sox fan?

Watching the '75 WS with my Grandfather, and in '04 when we won it all and hoping he got to see it from heaven.

 

When was the first time you ever went to Fenway Park?

Sept. 29th 2009...My wife gave me two tickets to see the Sox at Fenway for an anniversary gift and we made it a week long vacation to go to Boston. It was my dream since forever to get to see the Sox play in Fenway, and I finally got the chance. We lost, but my favorite player at the time, JD Drew hit a 3 run HR...Kevin Millar was there playing for Toronto...(We did clinch the Wild Card later that night when I think Texas lost.)

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS200909290.shtml

 

Who is your least favorite Yankee player of all-time?

Probably Derek Jeter, who I respect for being talented. I just always felt he was a phony standing on the top of the steps and clapping so that he was always on TV.

(You could say Roger Clemens for this one as well.)

 

Any other comments that you would like to add?

The Red Sox have given me some of the worst times in my life sports related, and some of the best. When I met my wife, she could not care less about baseball. Watching them daily on NESN, she became a die hard fan who spouts statistics better than anyone I know. She loves Pedroia.

[ORS]

I think you suffer from overthinking, and/or misinterpretting, the questions in a couple of spots.

 

...saying Pedroia is just trite...

So what? The question wasn't about identifying which current Sox player would make you look original if you listed him as your favorite. It was, "Who is your favorite current Sox player?" There's no shame in loving the little guy's approach to life and the game. If he's your favorite, he's your favorite.

 

Can't think of one. I don't waste a lot of time hating, either at the time or afterward.....

 

See the above answer about least favorite Red Sox. If pushed, probably A-Rod but I just don't like hating people.

You weren't asked to hate anyone, just who your least favorite is.

[redsoxfan3]

RSF3---That last sentence of yours defines me to a "t". You know, I knew some Red Sox fans out here in California before I came aboard in 2000. Their fervor and behavior used to make me roll my eyes, but guess what? We're the same way now, aren't we? The three people I brought over to the RedSox are now as rabid as I am. That's just the way it is.

 

I do understand how people like SCM, MVP, Sox Sport and Palodios might wonder about the converts; after all they have gone through some pretty nasty s*** all those years of near misses and heart breaks. Glad I wasn't around when Bucky "####" Dent hit that three run job in '78, and glad I wasn't there when Buckner kicked that ball, not to mention some of the other bad things that had happened to our team. I think is is normal for some of them to wonder if we're for real. They have no worries with me, and I don't think they do with you. We're on board until they carry us away. BTW, I have already arranged that when my time comes I will be buried in a Red Sox casket and a schedule of games put on my gravesite every year. Kind of off the wall, right?

 

I don't think that is off of the wall. I look at it this way. People need hobbies, interests, activities, etc. to keep busy with their spare time. I am in college and follow the Red Sox a lot. A lot of other people my age experiment with drugs, drink their life away, get into art, or do other hobbies. I am already engaged and I feel like I spend my time a lot better than those who party all of the time. I had my time in high school where I thought it was cool to go to parties and get drunk, but I got over that phase of my life fairly quickly. I just don't see the point. Don't get me wrong, I still drink occasionally, I just don't go to parties all the time and get wasted. People can do what they want with their life. This is my choice and I don't care what people think. My fiancee knows that I love the Red Sox and it really does not bother her a whole lot. She is even starting to follow the team. She is a Big Papi fan and has gone to a couple of Spring Training games with me. It probably also helps that her dad is a big Cubs fan, so she is used to a man being in her life being a baseball fan.

 

I think you suffer from overthinking, and/or misinterpretting, the questions in a couple of spots.

 

 

So what? The question wasn't about identifying which current Sox player would make you look original if you listed him as your favorite. It was, "Who is your favorite current Sox player?" There's no shame in loving the little guy's approach to life and the game. If he's your favorite, he's your favorite.

 

 

You weren't asked to hate anyone, just who your least favorite is.

 

I have been a Pedroia fan from day one. He is the favorite player of a lot of Sox fans. If he is your favorite player, then there is nothing to be ashamed of. He is a great role model and a great player to have as your favorite. I agree with ORS on this and about the least favorite player.

[Dojji]

I think you suffer from overthinking, and/or misinterpretting, the questions in a couple of spots.

 

 

So what? The question wasn't about identifying which current Sox player would make you look original if you listed him as your favorite. It was, "Who is your favorite current Sox player?" There's no shame in loving the little guy's approach to life and the game. If he's your favorite, he's your favorite.

 

 

You weren't asked to hate anyone, just who your least favorite is.

 

That's so not what this thread is here for.

 

If you want to start ****, start it with someone else. I'm not biting today.

[VA Sox Fan]

How long have you been a fan? All of my life, earliest memory is the 75 WS

 

How did you become a Red Sox fan? My older brother Rico (nick-named after Rico Petrocelli) got me into them as a kid.

 

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player? Pedroia, guess I'm being trite

 

Who is your favorite all-time Red Sox player? Yaz and Varitek

 

Who is your least favorite Red Sox player ever? Carl Everett

 

What state/country do you live in (to see how spread out the fan base is here)?

Virginia

 

What is your favorite memory being a Red Sox fan? 2004 ALCS & WS; walking into Fenway Park for the first time

 

When was the first time you ever went to Fenway Park? May 2006

 

Who is your least favorite Yankee player of all-time? A-Rod

 

Any other comments that you would like to add? I wish I had gotten the baseball package prior to 2003. I look forward to watching every game and hate it when I have to miss one. Love the Red Sox!

[ORS]

That's so not what this thread is here for.

 

If you want to start ****, start it with someone else. I'm not biting today.

Calm down, I'm not starting anything. Don't be so defensive. I just noticed some funny answers to the questions and pointed them out. Come out of your shell, Dojji. Tell us a little about youself without worrying so much about being perceived as unoriginal or hateful.

[Dojji]

But that's the thing. I'm not trying to be seen as original and unhateful. I'm doing my level damnedest to BE original and unhateful. It's a large part of what makes me me. I can't just follow the crowd. Not built to. Not wired to. Not interested in learning how to. I'd be a lot happier, healthier and saner if I could.

 

I can't vote Pedroia because frankly, he's the professional underdog, and it can get irritating at times. It's to the point that we consider him underrated so aggressively that while Pedey's a good player I feel he's starting to get a bit overrated. Not that I wouldn't take him on my team over all but maybe 1-2 second basemen in the entire league, and would have to think hard about those final 2-3 choices. But... bleah.

 

The last Red Sox player I was really truly in love with was probably Curt Schilling. What an epic story. I mean you couldn't make up the bloody sock game. No one would believe it. That was as franchise-altering a story as Ruth's called shot. And as if that weren't enough, that the last pitch Schill ever threw being a World Series win on top of that. That man will make the Hall. We lost a lot of our strength of personality as a team when he left.

[BornToRun]

How long have you been a fan?

Since 2005, I was just getting into the sport and hopped on the post 2004 bandwagon. I have no shame in admitting it nowadays

 

How did you become a Red Sox fan?

They'd just won the World Series and I latched onto them.

 

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player?

Josh Beckett. He's a belligerent, loudmouthed, Texas *******. That's exactly what I love about him.

 

Who is your favorite all-time Red Sox player?

As much as I despise him as a person, Curt Schilling was my idol when I was first getting into baseball.

 

Who is your least favorite Red Sox player ever?

Julio Lugo. Theo should've taken him out and shot him after 2007.

 

 

What state/country do you live in (to see how spread out the fan base is here)?

New Jersey

 

What is your favorite memory being a Red Sox fan?

My first Sox-Skanks game last year. Sunday nighter at Fenway. Rivera blowing the save and Reddick going walk off against Hughes.

 

When was the first time you ever went to Fenway Park?

2006 vs Tampa. It was Wells first game back from injury, he got nailed with a liner and had to leave the game. Sox won 8-4.

 

Who is your least favorite Yankee player of all-time?

Any one of the bastards who ever wore the uniform, special hatred for Judas Damon though.

 

Any other comments that you would like to add?

What jersey should I wear to school after we win it all this year? Yaz, Tek, Dave Roberts, or Pedey?

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Even BornToRun returned to the site. s*** just got real. Welcome back!

[BornToRun]

Even BornToRun returned to the site. s*** just got real. Welcome back!

 

Glad to be back. It's been hard for me to get back into baseball. After last season ended and losing the superbowl to baby shortbus and the giants again, I just checked out for a bit with sports.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Glad to be back. It's been hard for me to get back into baseball. After last season ended and losing the superbowl to baby shortbus and the giants again' date=' I just checked out for a bit with sports.[/quote']

 

cry harder

[BornToRun]

cry harder

 

I will find you, and I will kill you.

[mvp 78]

Of course you can make up the bloody sock game, Schill did...

[seabeachfred]

That's so not what this thread is here for.

 

If you want to start ****, start it with someone else. I'm not biting today.

 

Come on Dojji; lighten up just a little. We're all friends here---and we're all in this together......RED SOX NATION AGAINST THE WORLD.

[RedSoxNC84]

RED SOX NATION AGAINST THE WORLD.

 

I remember saying something close to this not too long ago, and someone here told me that Red Sox Nation was ********. Can't remember who it was though

[mvp 78]

Raises hand (see pg 494 of the off season thread).

 

I just think the term is a marketing gimmick.

 

Do people hate Sox fans? Sure, but just as many people hate Yankees fans. Cubs fans hate Cardinals fans. People hate success they aren't a part of. People hate it even more when there's an overflowing bandwagon.

 

My allegiance is to the Sox, not to "magical" Fenway or some silly made up nation. My fanhood is very personal to me and can't be defined by some marketing wet dream. For me, the term RSN represents the new ownership group, not the fans we all know. If people want to claim it as a badge of honor, go for it. The us against the world theme has no meaning to my life. I don't consider myself a part of it.

[VA Sox Fan]

How long have you been a fan?

Since 2005, I was just getting into the sport and hopped on the post 2004 bandwagon. I have no shame in admitting it nowadays

 

How did you become a Red Sox fan?

They'd just won the World Series and I latched onto them.

 

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player?

Josh Beckett. He's a belligerent, loudmouthed, Texas *******. That's exactly what I love about him.

 

Who is your favorite all-time Red Sox player?

As much as I despise him as a person, Curt Schilling was my idol when I was first getting into baseball.

 

Who is your least favorite Red Sox player ever?

Julio Lugo. Theo should've taken him out and shot him after 2007.

 

 

What state/country do you live in (to see how spread out the fan base is here)?

New Jersey

 

What is your favorite memory being a Red Sox fan?

My first Sox-Skanks game last year. Sunday nighter at Fenway. Rivera blowing the save and Reddick going walk off against Hughes.

 

When was the first time you ever went to Fenway Park?

2006 vs Tampa. It was Wells first game back from injury, he got nailed with a liner and had to leave the game. Sox won 8-4.

 

Who is your least favorite Yankee player of all-time?

Any one of the bastards who ever wore the uniform, special hatred for Judas Damon though.

 

Any other comments that you would like to add?

What jersey should I wear to school after we win it all this year? Yaz, Tek, Dave Roberts, or Pedey?

 

Do you know him personally?

[VA Sox Fan]

Of course you can make up the bloody sock game' date=' Schill did...[/quote']

 

:dunno: What?

[Elktonnick]

Raises hand (see pg 494 of the off season thread).

 

I just think the term is a marketing gimmick.

 

Do people hate Sox fans? Sure, but just as many people hate Yankees fans. Cubs fans hate Cardinals fans. People hate success they aren't a part of. People hate it even more when there's an overflowing bandwagon.

 

My allegiance is to the Sox, not to "magical" Fenway or some silly made up nation. My fanhood is very personal to me and can't be defined by some marketing wet dream. For me, the term RSN represents the new ownership group, not the fans we all know. If people want to claim it as a badge of honor, go for it. The us against the world theme has no meaning to my life. I don't consider myself a part of it.

 

I just think the term is a marketing gimmick.

 

FYI:

The phrase "Red Sox Nation" was first coined by Boston Globe feature writer Nathan Cobb in an October 20, 1986, article about split allegiances among fans in Connecticut during the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and the New York Mets.

[VA Sox Fan]

I just think the term is a marketing gimmick.

 

FYI:

The phrase "Red Sox Nation" was first coined by Boston Globe feature writer Nathan Cobb in an October 20, 1986, article about split allegiances among fans in Connecticut during the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and the New York Mets.

 

 

I wonder when the phrase "Yankee Universe" was coined? That sounds like a real marketing gimmick.

[redsoxfan3]

I know some might not like the term Red Sox Nation, but I basically grew up in the era that Red Sox Nation became popular in. I consider myself part of Red Sox Nation, but I still understand why some do not. Like previously mentioned, it is probably for marketing. Either way we are all Sox fans.

[mvp 78]

I just think the term is a marketing gimmick.

 

FYI:

The phrase "Red Sox Nation" was first coined by Boston Globe feature writer Nathan Cobb in an October 20, 1986, article about split allegiances among fans in Connecticut during the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and the New York Mets.

 

Whether it was first used in 86 or 01, it doesn't change my point. In the 90's you never heard that term. It's been something that the new ownership has pushed and pushed and pushed.

 

If it means something to other fans, great. I'm not the Lorax, I don't speak for them, just myself.

[mvp 78]

:dunno: What?

 

[BornToRun]

Do you know him personally?

 

He's a fat loudmouth right wing blowhard. I know enough.

[Dojji]

He's a fat loudmouth right wing blowhard. I know enough.

 

I know enough that I'd take 5 of them in a rotation against any rotation in history.

[seabeachfred]

Raises hand (see pg 494 of the off season thread).

 

I just think the term is a marketing gimmick.

 

Do people hate Sox fans? Sure, but just as many people hate Yankees fans. Cubs fans hate Cardinals fans. People hate success they aren't a part of. People hate it even more when there's an overflowing bandwagon.

 

My allegiance is to the Sox, not to "magical" Fenway or some silly made up nation. My fanhood is very personal to me and can't be defined by some marketing wet dream. For me, the term RSN represents the new ownership group, not the fans we all know. If people want to claim it as a badge of honor, go for it. The us against the world theme has no meaning to my life. I don't consider myself a part of it.

 

Fine by me MVP, just as long as you're not a deep cover spy from the EE. :harhar::harhar::harhar::harhar::harhar::harhar:

[Dojji]

I just think the term is a marketing gimmick.

 

Umm... yeah? Why can't something be a "marketing gimmick" and still a big part of the identity of an entertainment brand?

 

There is nothing wrong with gimmickry as long as it isn't overdone. I don't think the RSN stuff is really overdone, especially considering that a lot of Sox fans have internalized it.