Eric Hinske and Mike Timlin fraternizing before Game 3 - Photo by Me
Before the game, KellyO suggested maybe we hit the scalp-free zone on Thursday to try and get into Game 5. I told her that might be doable for me and left it at that. In the 8th inning, I turned to her and said “Just so you know, I’m not coming anywhere near Fenway on Thursday!”. I say this and, almost immediately after, Rocco Baldelli hits a 3-run homer off of Paul Byrd. I look to they sky and yell “I already said I wasn’t going on Thursday!” So much for breaking my streak of suck.
Truly, though, I’m not disheartened. Sure being down 2-1 feels lousy. Being down in the ALCS last year was shitty too. And in 2004. Good Lord, wasn’t that painful? The Red Sox are making a habit of ensuring that our ALCS experience is the most exciting and nerve-wracking that it can be. So the Rays should be nervous.
I refuse to get mired in negativity. For the first few innings of the game, most of the people around me spent their time heckling Varitek and Tito and JD Drew as well. It was annoying the hell out of me. Of course, I had to get out of there when two couple all decided clam chowder was what they had a hankering for…and luckily the people who had the seats next to Kelly never showed, so I spent the rest of the game sitting with her – around a much better group of people with much more positive vibes.
After Baldelli’s home run, Fenway emptied out like someone had called in a bomb scare. I didn’t mind. Screw the people who think so little of their team making it to the second round of the playoffs that they bolt just because they’re losing. Much like I’ll never forget where I’m from, I’ll never forget what it’s like to root for a team that doesn’t always win. This is the team I choose to follow. Been doing it a lot longer than the playoff runs of the 2000s and I’ll be doing it long after a lot of the people who left tonight will.
Things could be worse. We could be rooting for a team that didn’t make it to the playoffs. Or a team that got booted out in the first round, or that is looking at a 3-0 deficit. None of those things happened. I choose focus on the positive, fun aspects of being in the playoffs. Many more baseball fans don’t have their horse in this race. Who am I to get pissy just because the team is struggling?
I have faith that these guys will kick it up and get back on track. Jason Bay has a World Series appearance coming…I can feel it!
Comments 10
Thank you Cyn for not getting a ticket for Thursday. :) This is only a bump in the road. How quickly some people forget.
Posted 13 Oct 2008 at 10:45 pm ¶I was like “WTF” when I saw the “fans” running out after that homer, seriously??
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 12:02 am ¶jacoby had a good blog post tonight:
http://www.google.com/reader/view/#stream/feed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fjacobyellsbury.mlblogs.com%2Fatom.xml
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 12:06 am ¶I agree Cyn. Lots of baseball left. People seem to have already forgotten what the Sox did the last two times the were in the ALCS.
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 7:00 am ¶F A I T H
\\and luckily the people who had the seats next to Kelly never showed,// now THAT pisses me off more than anything!!
Stay HOME Cyn. PVS to the boys. IT CAN HAPPEN!!!
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 10:19 am ¶I don’t see people leaving a blowout early as the same thing as “People seem to have already forgotten what the Sox did the last two times the were in the ALCS.” I think most of those people are still hoping and cheering for their team to win this series. They probably left because they were tired of seeing their team getting the shit hammered out of them and didn’t want to be a witness to any more of the carnage. It most likely wasn’t going to change the outcome of the game if they stayed. I don’t think the players blamed them for leaving early. If they did, they could’ve scored 9 runs those last 2 at bats and taught those early exiters a lesson.
I just don’t think it’s a cardinal sin if someone can’t stomach a frustrating game any more. Just because everyone is not tough enough to find something positive and aren’t having fun that late in a game, doesn’t mean they are bad fans and should be banished to hell for not being able to watch anymore. Unless they are heckling their own team; there’s no excuse for that and it would be best for everyone if they left early.
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 10:55 am ¶I just don’t agree. You support the team whether or not they’re doing well. When the team is down is the time they really need the support, not when they’re kicking ass.
If a fan chooses not to stay at a game just because their team is losing, I don’t consider that person much of a fan.
This wasn’t a late game. I know lots of people have to leave games early when the game runs late just to get home…but leaving just because you don’t like the score is pretty damn lame to me.
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 11:03 am ¶I’m with you Cyn. I am glad I wasn’t there in person to see it but if I had been…I would have stayed. You support the team no matter what if you are a real fan in my book. I spent years as did most of us watching the games when we didn’t even get to the playoffs never mind win the World Series. The newer fan is spoiled and expects to win and chooses not to participate when the going gets rough.
And what is up with people booing Varitek? God knows he is sucking wind but don’t you think he feels rotten about it? Don’t make it worse…Give him the support he needs.
DB
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 1:39 pm ¶Hi. Are you the one that used to do the “postcard showers”? Maybe it’s a little late for a few of them, but I think a few players could use our support. Tek? Papi? Let me know if I’m thinking of someone else…
Thanks.
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 2:54 pm ¶No, I was one of the group who did the postcard showers. :)
The only real reason it would be too late would be the timing of the ALCS. I’m not sure he’d get them in time. I’m always for sending positive reinforcement for the team.
Posted 14 Oct 2008 at 3:25 pm ¶