Monday, October 29, 2007

Red Sox winners again!

When I first moved to Boston six years ago, I had no idea what I was really getting into. My airline ticket said Boston but we were going to live in Cambridge. Which was the same really, just across the river right? It didn't take long to figure out that the two cities, only separated by a river, are actually quite different. But the one thing that both cities agree on is a shared love for the Red Sox. Though, I'm sure a die hard Sox fan can make the distinction between a Cambridge Red Sox fan and one from a Boston neighborhood. The Broncos are loved in Denver, in college I was a true Buffs fan, but coming to Boston was an entirely different experience with the Red Sox. The Red Sox mean more to the city of Boston than the Statue of Liberty does to NYC. For the longest time, the city viewed the Red Sox as that younger sibling who has so much potential but always found a way to self destruct.

Its impossible to relate to the 86 year drought, having only just arrived to the area. But I seem to fit in now that the Red Sox are two time world champs in four years, as its a new experience for everyone in Red Sox Nation! I heard a commentator this morning use the word 'dynasty' to describe the Red Sox and their future potential. I can't imagine any Red Sox fan, past or future, ever using that word to describe their team. The 2007 and 2004 championships are sweet to be sure, but I for one, think the best series was the 2004 ALCS comeback against the Yankees. It was a microcosm of everything that the Red Sox were in the previous 86 years and everything they've been since. The themes of 'On the brink of elimination', 'Always losing to the Yankees' and 'always the underdog to the Yankees' were all a part of that series. So when the Red Sox came back to win in Game 7 it was thrilling, and as though the city's younger sibling had finally turned the corner. This year's ALCS against the Indians didn't have the same emotional impact, though the results were the same. Nothing brings out the worst/best in a Red Sox fan than playing the Yankees.

The 2007 Red Sox were unlike any other Red Sox team, they had the best record in the league, potential AL MVP, and they won the World Series. Not since Babe Ruth played baseball have the Red Sox been this good!

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