"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

The Beat Goes On

Hey out there Yankee fans. Any of youse gunna watch the Serious? I think I will. I may not stay up for all of the games, but I’ll be checking them out. Emily took off with her sister to visit their folks in Vermont this morning, so I’ve got the place to myself. But there is something missing. It’s been slow in coming, but I’m really starting to feel sad that the season is over for the Bombers.

That said, I’ve got to admit that I’ll be happy if the Red Sox win. First, because I have some close friends who are card-carrying members of Red Sox Nation and I’d love for them to experience the thrill of their team finally winning a championship. Also, as a baseball fan, I’m interested to see how the Sox culture will be effected by World Serious victory. It’s been said that Boston fans won’t know what to do with themselves if their team wins it all, but I’m not so sure about that. I think they’ll know exactly what to do: have a year-long celebration. In time, their identity will change, but I don’t expect that to happened immediately. The rivalry with the Yankees won’t wan, not until both teams are mediocre again, and even then, it will be spiked with intensity. Should the Sox win, their fans will simply find new chants to hurl at the New Yorkers (as well as golden oldies like “Yankees Suck”) who will suddenly be without their old stand-by of “1918.”

Yes, some Sox fans may lose interest. And yes, the Sox won’t be “special” in the same way anymore. But I don’t think Red Sox Nation will lose interest. They are as smug and self-absorbed as we New Yorkers are, and they’ll continue to puff themselves up and believe that they are special for new reasons. Ever hear a Sox fan tell you that their eventually World Serious celebration will be better than all 26 Yankee championships combined? That’s a good one. It won’t be better but it sure will be unique. Again, as a baseball fan, I’d be lying if I wasn’t curious to see how that plays itself out. Shoot, at least I’ll have something to write about.

But in spite of those feelings, I just can’t find it in my heart to actually root for Boston. Nah, I’ll be pulling for St. Louis (never thought I’d want a team managed by Tony LaRussa to win). I think the Sox should win, but what do I know? If I could put a hex on em I would. How about you guys? Who would like to win? Irregardless, I hope everyone has a good weekend.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver