Boston Sports Then and Now

My love for the #8 began with Yaz.

What’s your favorite number?

Why?

People have hundreds of stories or reasons, but one of the top choices is probably sports.

I have been crazy for the #8 since I was a little kid.  When I was a little kid, I LOVED the Red Sox (probably on Jared Carrabis level). I recall spending summer days in my family’s screen house watching the Sox on a little black and white television.

My favorite player was you guessed it, #8 Carl Yastrzemski. I loved YAZ and I am not sure why. I just gravitated towards him and have been a fan of his ever since (I have bought my share of Yaz shirts over the years).

I still remember vividly watching Yaz day on TV during the ’83 season which proved to be his last.  It was such an emotional and wonderful day. He received many gifts on that day at Fenway Park. I can still see him sitting in the rocking chair that was presented to him (I even cut out all the pictures from the Boston Globe).

Who can forget his lap around Fenway Park slapping hands with all the fans?

That’s how my love affair for the #8 began.

I always tried to get #8 for little league or at least a multiple of 8. One year, I took 16 because it’s 2×8. Yeah I know, I am nuts.

I kind fell out of love with the Red Sox after the ’86 World Series. I adored them and worshipped them. How did they return the favor to me? By ripping out a 13 year old boy’s heart, ripping it out of his chest, and stomping on it.

My sports focus was primarily on the Bruins and Patriots. The Bruins are like how the Sox and Pats are now, en vogue. I was a huge fan of Adam Oates, Ray Bourque, Andy Moog, and yes #8 Cam Neely.  Neely played with tenacity, grit, and reckless abandon. I love and respect athletes that give their all, all the time.

I also loved the NHL. I collected the sports cards by the packs. I knew almost ever player in the league even the ones not on the Bruins. Of course, I became a fan of; yep you got me, #88 Eric Lindros.  He was part of the Flyers’ Legion of Doom line with John Leclair and Mikael Renberg. They were one of the most dominant and feared trios in the NHL.

They scored.

They destroyed the opposition.

They were awesome.

I bought my Lindros replica jersey. I had all his rookie cards (which are worth nothing now) and my starting line up figurine. It was an infatuation. Was it his play? Or the #88 on his back?

During my street hockey days at Saugus hockey town, I only wanted to wear either #8 or #88. Like Neely and Lindros, my career was also cut short. I tore my ACL in ’95 after getting tangled up with another player. I played the whole game without even knowing I was hurt.

Four years later, I couldn’t bare the pain. MRI technology came a long way in four years since my injury. I got surgery in ’99 but my knee has never been the same.

Of course there was the comeback in 2003, me and my 30 something friends thought we could still compete with young guns. Wrong. People were dropping left and right. My friend Joe blew out his ankle and the next week I tore my labrum playing goalie. I made 50 saves and still lost 14-2.

Well at least the other team, tapped me on the pads and saying great game. I figured not a better way to go and I retired my #88 jersey.

My love for the #8 or any form of it was also evident with the Patriots. My favorite

Troy Brown was very passionate and an overachiever.

players were #80 Troy Brown and now #83 Wes Welker. Both of these players gave their all, all the time.

I replaced my Troy Brown jersey with a customized #88 Joe Gill Pats jersey. I needed to keep the #8/#88 legacies going.

From my blog, you probably see there is a pattern. Everyone I idolized or respected in sports who wore #8/#88 is very similar to how live out my life. I am dedicated, give my all, and wont stop until achieve my goals.

So I guess there is something in a number.

Thank You #8.