So the Major League Baseball pennant crunch is on and, as has been the case for nearly the last ten years, my team, the Baltimore Orioles, was mathematically eliminated from the playoff hunt back on opening day.
What a season it’s been for the Black and Orange – first they go out and earn the dubious distinction of being the losing team in a 30-3 affair (I can’t even call it a game) that featured the most runs scored by one team in 110 years. Not to be out done, they headed to Boston just a short, two weeks later on September 1 and let Clay Buchholz (just called up from Triple-A Pawtucket) no-hit them in only his second major league start. With the end of the season drawing near, my boys have mentally packed it in, envisioning themselves on the golf course versus the baseball diamond.
And I thought the Orioles who opened the '88 campaign 0-21 couldn’t be topped, boy was I wrong.
Where does this leave a baseball fan well into September, his team out of it, wanting desperately to have a stake in the thrilling pennant race andpost season? You do what I’ve done for the last few years; you adopt a “late-season” team. For me, that’s the Boston Red Sox.
Now you might ask, how can I adopt a team who makes a regular task of embarrassing “my” team? There's no easy explanation, except to say I’ve had a soft spot for the Beantowners for as long as I can remember. Boston, like Baltimore, is a baseball town and their fans are some of the most rabid out there, and I love that! Add to that the storied history, the finally winning a World Series, the cast of characters that are true gamers and you’ve got a baseball team any fan, except New Yorkers perhaps, can get behind.
I sure as hell am not going to go with the despised pinheaded Yankees. The fact that the Sox have done a pretty job sticking it to the Bronx Bombers recently only strengthens my position of jumping, late-season, on their bandwagon.
Be sure, when spring opens, the 2008 season I’ll be right back where I started, bleeding black and orange. But for now, even while I keep an ever vigil eye on the Orioles' box score, my eyes drift upwards for the word "Boston."
How do you do, Red Sox nation? There’s a new, although only here for a visit, citizen amongst you.
Article comments
1 - A.Corin
Welcome to Red Sox Nation, we're glad to have you-no matter how temporarily. We like you guys too. Gotta love Millar!!!
2 - Mark Saleski
to be fair to your team, that no-hitter was an absolutely magnificent pitching performance. buckholz was throwing freakishly great changeups. freakish, i tell ya!!
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
Which Buchholz was handsomely rewarded with ... a bullpen assignment!
4 - DIANE
HOW CAN YOU NOT STICK WITH A TEAM THAT BELIEVE THE SAME THING.
WE PLAY OUR BEST UNTIL WE ARE OUT OF THE RACE.
THAT'S WHAT RED SOX ARE ALL ABOUT.
ALSO VERY KIND AND CHARITABLE TEAM PLAYERS .
ON AND OFF THE FIELD.
NOT LIKE THE YANKEES WHO THINK THEY ARE GOD'S GIFT TO BASEBALL. YEAH RIGHT.
THEY CLAIM , THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST PAID PLAYERS AND THE BEST.
THEY HAVEN'T PROVEN THAT BY ME YET.
OUR FANS AND TEAM PLAYERS ARE GRACIOUS AND NOT DIRTY PLAYERS WHEN TEAMS COME.
GO REDSOX!!!
WIN OR LOSE YOUR THE BEST IN MY BOOK.
THERE ARE OTHER GOOD TEAMS ALSO.
MAY THE BEST ONES WIN FAIR AND SQUARE.
ANYONE BUT THE YANKEES.
THEY WILL NEVER GAIN AN OUNCE OF MY TRUST OR VOTE.
WATCHING BASEBALL SHOULD BE A PLEASURE FOR FANS YOUNG AND OLD.
THE YOUNG NEED GOOD BASEBALL MODEL PLAYERS.
HERE'S TO FUTURE GAMES THIS YEAR.
THE DECENT FUTURE OF BASEBALL.
GOOD LUCK!
WARM REGARDS,
DIANE
5 - Patrick Cossel
So what do you think, USC looking good right now? Hey if the Red Sox disappoint you you could always try some one else.
I got a better plan. Wait until the winner of the world series is decided then say that was the team you were rooting for all along!!! J/K!
I gotta say, Benjamin has stuck with Baltimore for a long time, he definetky knows what it is like to see his team down for a long time. So as his brother, if he wants to switch teams this late in the season, I think I can understand.
I am just glad he didn't pick the Braves or Yankees.
6 - Benjamin Cossel
Not so much switchin teams as it is someone to root for in the off season.
7 - Benjamin Cossel
Or post season or whatever...too early, need coffee.