…I’m an extremely irrational Red Sox fan. These opinions could be completely different than that of others. However, I have a feeling that some might share in what I am about to say.
My fandom for the Red Sox could not be more different than my fandom for the Patriots. I would say I watch close to 80 games a year live, another 20-30 through “Red Sox in 2”, and follow along via Twitter or MLB@Bat 80% of the season. In other words, my girlfriend despises my relationship with this team. With the Patriots there are far fewer games which means it’s an easier commitment, but I’m also more attentive to all 16 games – unless of course, we are playing the Dolphins.
Overall, I spend way more time watching the Red Sox than the Patriots, or the Bruins, and especially the Celtics. But, most of my life it has been the Patriots and Red Sox neck and neck for my favorite teams. However, the Red Sox edge out the Patriots each and every year. That’s because I’m more invested in the team, and I’m more invested in the players. Everyone loves Tom Brady. Everyone loved Gronk. Everyone loves Edelman. That’s about it. No one is saying they wouldn’t be able to watch the Patriots without Gostkowski. Fans aren’t outraged when Bill lets go of players who have single-handedly won the team super bowls.
Why? Well, the simple answer is that we fans look at the Patriots as a championship machine for almost half of their existence. We trust that Bill will get us into the post-season with no questions asked. We love that sith-lord, and all the Jedi mind tricks he plays when trading players.
I mean, we are willing to let Brady walk. That says it all. I’m sure all of New England would prefer it didn’t end this way, but also half of the fan base debated that Jimmy G should have been kept. There is absolutely zero attachment to players.
Whereas with the Red Sox, we(me) are losing our minds. Yes, I love when my team wins. I’m a less miserable human being when the Red Sox win games. I’m even more pleasant to be around – unless you’re a Yankees fan – when the Red Sox win a World Series. And it may be because baseball is my number one, but I am more attached to the guys on the field than I am with the product.
The Red Sox were a giant disappointment in 2019. The Patriots mindset would be to burn the team to the ground, like what we just witnessed. The Red Sox fan in me, and I’m sure in many of you, wanted the furthest from this. I loved Mookie. I loved Brock. I love Dustin. I loved Cora. All these guys are gone(Pedroia not officially but my mans is as good as done). Red Sox Nation is very clearly demonstrating that these guys were family to us and that this team is more than a machine set to win championship after championship. Baseball is such an arduous game to watch that we fans need these relationships with the players (wow, that sounds sad) in order to stay invested. So, yes. When the Red Sox eventually win another championship without Mookie, or Brock, or Cora, or JD because he’s definitely opting out, I will 1000% say I wish they were around.
And you know what, maybe I become more invested in some of these young guys. But that’s a process that takes more than just one, two, even three seasons. I’m not even fully warmed up to Raffy! The Red Sox ownership needs to understand they aren’t and should never be the Patriots. Their product is so much different, and that makes it better. One day the Patriots won’t be THE Patriots. The Red Sox, on the other hand, has always been THE Red Sox. It’s just recently we got pretty lucky with a ring or four. Fans never left, only a few more came along for the ride.
In case, anyone wants to know what spurred this…
Anything But E 