Sox Back In Playoffs

Ever since the fortunes of the Boston Red Sox began to take a turn for the better starting in 1998 (Pedro), I have been overwhelmed by all of the winning. The winners of the A.L. Wild Card in '98, '99, '03, '04, '05, and (probably) '08. A.L. East champions in 2007. The A.L.C.S. teams of 1999 and 2003. The two World Series crowns in 2004 and 2007. The constant 90-win seasons for the better part of the last 10 years. Things have been great. There are some little things that bother me about the Sox. NESN's promotion of inane programming like "Sox Appeal" and "Comedy All-Stars" that try to ride the momentum of the Red Sox success toward some extra ratings points. The rock-star status of Jerry Remy, a marginal second baseman and a slightly better color commentator is another nasty side-effect of the Red Sox on-field dominance. The overall Hollywood atmosphere that the front office tries to create (hey, was that Rene Russo tossing out the ceremonial first pitch?) is disgusting. However, these are the little things that one must put up with to witness greatness on the diamond. I was talking to a friend of mine at the Baseball Tavern on Sunday and we both agreed that the Sox, once they formally clinched a playoff spot, should temper their celebration. Our point was that the Red Sox have been winners for a decade now and that the champagne soaked shennanigans on the Fenway Park green should be saved for A.L.C.S. and World Series championships. I felt that way up until Jonathan Papelbon recorded his most dominant save in weeks late last night against the Cleveland Indians. When the final out was recorded, I was so happy to see the players, coaches, security personnel, and, most importantly, the fans explode into cheers and Bud Lights. I would have been disappointed with a half-assed celebration. I was thoroughly impressed with what I saw. The reason for the change of heart? Winning cannot be taken for granted. This is a franchise that always found a way to lose. Now that they are expected to win, we must enjoy every second of it. When the Celtics won their sixteenth championship in 1986, every fan of the Green believed seventeen was coming up soon. Well, it took until 2008 to grab seventeen. I don't want the Red Sox faithful to turn into greedy pigs who expect nothing less than a World Series and can't enjoy playoff clinching victories. You know who we will become when that days happens? Yankee fans. We do not want to be Yankee fans. Enjoy the celebration. Hang around the park. Head over to the Baseball Tavern on Boylston Street to have a few more. And get ready to repeat the process after the A.L.D.S., after the A.L.C.S., and after the World Series.