Boston Sports Fans - A Special Breed

Being a Boston Sports fan, I expect to take a lot of grief...especially from New Yorkers. But isn't that what it is all about? Only fans from New York, or Chicago, or L.A. and maybe a few other places can really understand why we are how we are. The thrill of the game PLUS the "us vs. the world" attitude is what elevates the average fan into a parochial fanatic. Boston fans are not satisfied with a win, we need to make a statement. We relish when one of our rivals loses, even when we lose ourselves. Our rivalries carry over into everyday life...in schools, at work even at department stores. What Sox fan hasn't gotten pissed when they see a Yankees hat on the same display rack with anything Red Sox!

I know the rest of the country gets upset when ESPN shows their 22nd Sox/Yankees game, but why do you think they do that? You never know what is going to happen, but it is a good bet it won't be boring! I'm sorry if they don't show enough Kansas City Royals games. Let's face it, you could walk around Boston AND New York and probably not find 100 Oakland A's fans. But when the Sox are in Oakland, it seems like a third of the stadium is filled with Sox fans! It's the same across the Major Leagues...Sox fans can still sound louder than Tampa fans and they made it to the Series last year!!

The best thing about being a Boston fan is sometimes we just get spoiled. Last night I sat in a pub with 18 TV screens going...6 had the Bruins game, 6 had the Celtics and 5 had the Sox (1 had VH-1 on...don't ask!!!). The Boston sports gods have blessed us with 2 teams in the playoffs and another starting to hit their stride into the season. Let me tell you that every possible emotion known to exist was exhibited in that pub last night. From the way the Bruins took the 'canes to school, to Jason Bay doing it once again for the Sox, and of course, the last second clutch shot by Big Baby that showed that the Celtics weren't just going to roll over...it was electric.

Last night was just something your average fan from Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Raleigh, Seattle or most other places around the country could not possibly experience. And if you can't experience it, I can certainly see why you can't understand it. It really is quite special being a Boston sports fan. (By the way, the Celtics should have won by about 12 pts....see - never satisfied!!)