BoSox: Classic Fall

"The Yankees win. Boone hit a homerun." The quote from the guy on the train which will haunt me for the rest of my days. A half dozen commuters all piled up at the front of the car to hear the play by play from some guy with an FM tuner on his Discman. Its amazing and comforting how moments like this can bring people together. After the homerun we all chatted about missed chances, Grady Little's decision to pitch Pedro into the eighth, the curse, tv ratings and the weather. While sitting there and listening to my fellow fans I realized sports are more than just for making money or showcasing star athletes, but they are about community and a sense of unity for people all over the country. Aside from national tragedies, which fortunately occur rarely, when do people from one geographic region come together and feel a togetherness like we all felt last night? Walking to work this morning I knew I wasn't the only one with a sinking feeling in my stomach and everybody else had the same thoughts running through their head. It actually allows you too put a smile on your face knowing you aren't alone.


Now for all of you collage kids, who really didn't know much about the BoSox or baseball for that matter before this heartbreaking season, I would like to personally welcome you to the hell that is a Boston fan's life. My mom told me two nights ago how she remembers me staying up late watching the 1986 World Series and how upset I was after the Buckner incident. At the time I didn't know anything about curses or the heart ache Boston had been through, but this time around I was prepared. I knew the only possible thing that can come from an early BoSox lead is the loss of that lead and they didn't disappoint. I was a fool to think I would actually see them win a World Series so early in my life. I think about my grandfather and how after the age of three in 1918 went on to endure 80 years of the BoSox failing to win a World Series, now talk about frustrating. In those 80 years he witnessed them lose four World Series (1946, 1967, 1975, 1986) all in the seventh game, two ALCS (1988, 1990) both four game sweeps and one ALDS (1995). It just wouldnt be fair for me to get off so easily with only one World Series (1986), four ALCS(1988, 1990, 1999, 2003) and one ALDS(1995) losses. So all you young fans out there prepare yourself for a long and painful relationship with our favorite Fenway residents and remember these three words which have begun to haunt me and hopefully won't haunt us much longer. MAYBE NEXT YEAR