Boston Red Sox fans are a hardy group that’s endured more than their fair share of abuse. I don’t need to point out the obvious; it’s been a long time since the Sox won the World Series. To this I say, at least be grateful that the Patriots are in the Super Bowl for the second time in four years.
I come from another long-suffering city-Philadelphia. This year, for the second consecutive year we hosted the NFC championship game. It was the third conference championship for us in three years. We have lost all three.
The last time we won a championship I was less than a year old-the Sixers won it all in 1983. In my lifetime, we have lost three World Series, one NBA Championship Series, and a chance at the Stanley Cup. I might add here that Philadelphia fans are beyond rabid.
The Phillies are well over one hundred years old and they have won exactly one championship. In fact, they are the all-time “losingest” team in professional sports. The Yankees, who aren’t that much older, have 26. Even the seemingly cursed Red Sox have 5 trophies in their case. I rooted for the Sox this year against the Yankees.
When Aaron Boone hit the series-winning homer, I had painful flashbacks to 1993 when Joe Carter blasted one out of the Skydome and won the World Series for the Blue Jays. (Psychologists will someday point to that moment and label it the turning point in my demeanor from carefree kid to bitter old man.)
Truth be told, the whole city knew that the Eagles would lose to the Carolina Panthers. We could feel it like we do every time one of our teams is in a big game. National commentators calling the game spoke of this pessimism. One fan, after the loss, turned to a local camera and shouted, “I hate you guys [The Eagles]! Every year you break my heart!” The man was well over thirty, and weeping like a baby.
I hope New England wins the Super Bowl this year. It will result in far less rioting and will only crush the spirits of the precious few people here in snowy Connecticut who are actually from “Carolina” be it North or South. And, I’ll even make this deal with you Red Sox fans. I will pray that the Sox win another, if you pray that Philly can just win something!
As for me, and the entire Philadelphia region, all we have are the woeful Sixers and sloppy Flyers to pass the time until baseball season. The Phillies look really good this year. Good enough to win it all? Sure, but that will never happen. Why? Fluke injuries, earthquakes, floods, or some other Biblical plague from above will ensure we make it to the height of glory, only to have slip over the precipice.
So, Boston people don’t expect any sympathy from me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to say another novena for Jim Thome’s back.
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