Don't Know Why I Love You
Over at the Sons of Sam Horn there is an entertaining thread titled On or Off? - as in 'are you on or off the Red Sox bandwagon.' I've seen similar questions in the comments sections of various Red Sox blogs. This line of enquiry is entertaining, but nonsensical at the same time. Anyone who regularly reads and/or posts at SoSH, or any other Red Sox fan site, probably watches a hundred-odd games each year, from start to finish, and will continue do so whether the Red Sox win or lose. The question is moot; the bandwagon will roll on, regardless of the team's position in the standings, and fans will continue to ride it, or at least get dragged behind as the case may be.
Hell, I'd go so far as to say there's no such thing as a Red Sox bandwagon. The vehicle in question is more like some kind of Flying Dutchman, a ship fated to sail the nether seas of Red Sox Nation for eternity. Occasionally this ghostly vessel lowers the small boats for a raid ashore, to pressgang innocents into the ranks of fandom, ranks they are helpless to leave once on board. There is no shore leave in this fan's navy.
So... when I say this team will be lucky to get the wild card, let alone advance deep into the play-offs, understand that I'll be watching however this thing plays out. My flag is nailed to the mast and I am lashed to the wheel. But I think this thing will most likely play out in an ugly fashion. And I don't call this negative, I call it being realistic.
The 2004 Red Sox have played half-assed baseball for the better part of three months. When was the last time they won four or more games in a row? May? What the team record in one-run games? Something like 8 for 15, or some such abysmal number. No one in the clubhouse seems inclined to lead this team, and players who should be kissing Tito's player-friendly ass instead feel free to shank him in public. This kind of play and the resulting record is not a fluke, nor can it be blamed to bad luck or injuries - this is a habit. This kind of play is, I'm coming to believe, an accurate reflection of this team i.e. a team that is not as good as we (and apparently they themselves) thought they were.
How long have fans huddled together, in person and on the net, muttering of and hoping for the near-mythical 'spark that lights a fire under this team' or 'the tear where the Sox go eight for ten?' We thought they had momentum going into the break... but nope that wasn't it. Surely, we told ourselves, taking two of three plus a brawl from the MFYs would light that fire. Er... not quite. Our latest sign of hope? The Red Sox winning two series in a row, on the road. Nice to see, but let's be real: contending teams are supposed to take those series as a matter of fact, especially against teams like the Devil Rays and Tigers. But we (the fans) are so freakin' hungry for some sign of life from this team that we clap in delight when this happens.
Phew.... ok, I'm better now. I promise. I just needed to get that off my chest. Rest assured I'll be watching tonight, and should the Red Sox defy my gut feelings and start playing like they mean it, you'll see plenty of public mea culpas here.
And speaking of tonight, anyone else look at Bronson Arroyo and think 'man, he's got that surfer/stoner/beach bum look down to a T?' Maybe it's the hair, or the expression that's half-grin half-smirk that pops up occasionally, but I keep waiting to use the word 'rad' or 'gnarly' in an interview. I nominate 'Surf City' as his theme song.
Hell, I'd go so far as to say there's no such thing as a Red Sox bandwagon. The vehicle in question is more like some kind of Flying Dutchman, a ship fated to sail the nether seas of Red Sox Nation for eternity. Occasionally this ghostly vessel lowers the small boats for a raid ashore, to pressgang innocents into the ranks of fandom, ranks they are helpless to leave once on board. There is no shore leave in this fan's navy.
So... when I say this team will be lucky to get the wild card, let alone advance deep into the play-offs, understand that I'll be watching however this thing plays out. My flag is nailed to the mast and I am lashed to the wheel. But I think this thing will most likely play out in an ugly fashion. And I don't call this negative, I call it being realistic.
The 2004 Red Sox have played half-assed baseball for the better part of three months. When was the last time they won four or more games in a row? May? What the team record in one-run games? Something like 8 for 15, or some such abysmal number. No one in the clubhouse seems inclined to lead this team, and players who should be kissing Tito's player-friendly ass instead feel free to shank him in public. This kind of play and the resulting record is not a fluke, nor can it be blamed to bad luck or injuries - this is a habit. This kind of play is, I'm coming to believe, an accurate reflection of this team i.e. a team that is not as good as we (and apparently they themselves) thought they were.
How long have fans huddled together, in person and on the net, muttering of and hoping for the near-mythical 'spark that lights a fire under this team' or 'the tear where the Sox go eight for ten?' We thought they had momentum going into the break... but nope that wasn't it. Surely, we told ourselves, taking two of three plus a brawl from the MFYs would light that fire. Er... not quite. Our latest sign of hope? The Red Sox winning two series in a row, on the road. Nice to see, but let's be real: contending teams are supposed to take those series as a matter of fact, especially against teams like the Devil Rays and Tigers. But we (the fans) are so freakin' hungry for some sign of life from this team that we clap in delight when this happens.
Phew.... ok, I'm better now. I promise. I just needed to get that off my chest. Rest assured I'll be watching tonight, and should the Red Sox defy my gut feelings and start playing like they mean it, you'll see plenty of public mea culpas here.
And speaking of tonight, anyone else look at Bronson Arroyo and think 'man, he's got that surfer/stoner/beach bum look down to a T?' Maybe it's the hair, or the expression that's half-grin half-smirk that pops up occasionally, but I keep waiting to use the word 'rad' or 'gnarly' in an interview. I nominate 'Surf City' as his theme song.
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