Alexander Pope wrote once that “to err is human, to forgive is divine.” Apparently, he forgot to tell sports fans.
It’s no longer enough for the focus of these fans’ passion to excel; now they must do it all the time. They must never err, especially should in erring they cost their team/club/franchise a run/goal/basket/point and ultimately, a win or loss.
But it’s always okay. Because if your team has somebody who isn’t living up to his/her expectations, s/he can just warm the bench until they get it all together.
At least, that’s what we’ve always believed.
Tuesday morning, the Boston Globe published a marvelous piece written by Tony Massarotti, who – as members of the over-burdened and over-criticized media in this sport-obsessed hamlet go – is one of the most straightforward writers this town has ever seen. He wrote about a subject that’s been beaten fairly to death in these parts lately – the plight of the never-ending, but soon-to-end Boston Red Sox season.
He, like anybody else with a pen, paper or Red Sox license plate frame, re-enters the overdone conversation about how ratings have dropped, and points a finger at anyone still blaming injuries for the team’s demise. But unlike those who wear the pink hats, belt out their best inebriated rendition of Sweet Caroline even though it’s Monday night and the Sox aren’t coming back from 8 runs down to the Indians, and whine ad nauseum when they sober up, Mazz doesn’t stop there.
He does what fans are either overly excited about or completely afraid to do. He looks forward. And if the Red Sox are bad this year, just wait until next year, he says.
The outfield, of course, will feature another-year-older Mike Cameron and a Jacoby Ellsbury who might be afraid to dive for balls – but really, that’s no matter, because Ryan Kalish and/or Darnell McDonald can step in in their stead.
The infield will feature Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis on the right. Marco Scutaro will likely still be at short, but if it’s a bit overbearing to just assume that Adrian Beltre will re-sign with the Sox for four or five years at around $15 million a year, then it’s downright silly to assume he’ll take the $5 million option he has pending for 2011.
Get Your Blog On 11/6 With CSNNE.com and Youk's Hits For Kids!
The Red Sox playoff hopes are dimming. The Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics are about to embark on another season and it’s almost time for Boston Sports Blogapalooza II!
Your favorite networking event where social media and Beantown Sports collide is back!
Can you believe it’s been almost four months since ‘Palooza I?
It was a smashing success with over 80 sports bloggers, fans, and Boston media members from WEEI, NESN, The Boston Herald, and Comcast SportsNet New England congregating at the Baseball Tavern for day of sports talk. It didn’t matter if you wrote for your own website or blogged for a major media outlet, everyone shared one thing…..there undying passion for Boston sports.
Boston Sports Then And Now is celebrating it’s first anniversary/birthday this month. We want to thank you,the fans!
Without you, none of this could be possible!
I personally want to thank Dean Hybl for giving me this incredible opportunity to untap a passion and skill I never knew I had.
Being out of work for nine months was a great learning experience for me. Between job searches, I was fueled by my passion for writing and building BST&N into a website which delivered great content about today’s Boston sports scene but also remembering the region’s rich history.
Through this site, I have met incredibly passionate fans and sports bloggers like myself. By networking I was able to successfully execute Boston Sports Blogapalooza this past May. It was perfect venue for bloggers to finally meet and collaborate.
And Blogapalooza II is coming this November, so stay tuned!
To say this past year was a fantastic journey, wouldn’t do it justice. It was a life changing moment for me. Even though I was in a bad situation, I made the best of it and found something I truly love.
So thanks again!
To Dean Hybl.
To my BST&N staff.
And to my new friends and fans, it’s been a gift to have met you all!
I had started my 2009-2010 Orlando Magic epitaph 3 separate times: once after game two, once again after game 3 and a third time during game 4. The first time I didn’t like it (though I thought the series would end in 4), the second time I didn’t want to jinx it (though I thought the series would end in 4) and the third time I gave up.
Kinda like the Celtics did.
Here’s what else you need to know.
The Magic didn’t lose games 1, 2 or 3.
They also didn’t win game 4 or 5.
Sometime between games 3 and 4, David Stern sent out his henchmen kinda like Vince McMahon would do anytime The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin got out of line back in the day when anyone cared about what happened in the WWF/E. To be sure, the Celtics shot themselves in the leg, foot, hip and lower abdomen in Game 4.
They were flat all over the place.
They didn’t communicate.
They pushed too hard early and developed a massive hero complex late.
Then their individual hero complexes were worsened by the expectation that somebody else would make the big shot. Then they gave up when they should have called a timeout with about 8 seconds to go in regulation and their halfcourt set clearly going nowhere.
Can you still remember the exuberance and happiness you felt during last week’s Boston Marathon? The many different completed runs and all the wonderful finishes? So many faces like yours shining with excitement—not just thrilled with your own marathon result, but also with the tremendous accomplishments of your fellow marathoners? Your joy even helped to carry along those who bravely struggled to achieve their desired result on Marathon Monday and needed encouragement along the way.
Within the sounds of your footsteps during your next preparation for another running celebration or a different sporting event, these memories might echo. They may even allow you to go further and add more meaning to each step—a testimonial to what marathon magic is all about.
Those difficult 26.2 miles are a challenge beyond measure for some, a competition to achieve a certain time for others, and for many a way to prove they have the fortitude that will never let them give up. Read the rest of this entry →
We honor Steve Grogan as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. The former Patriots quarterback left it all on the field during his 16 year career. Grogan was playing the “Patriots Way” before Bill Belichick introduced it in 2000. He led by example and his teammates were always behind him.
Steve Grogan was drafted by Patriots coach Chuck Fairbanks in the fifth round of the 1975 draft out of Kansas State. He was one of the school’s all time passing and total offense leaders. Grogan not only beat you with his arm but he was exceptionally quick for a man standing at 6’4”.
The Patriots already had their franchise quarterback in place when he was drafted. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunkett had been the Patriots starter for his first four years in the league. However, Coach Fairbanks was not afraid to make a move if a player was under-performing. It didn’t matter who he was.
Midway through the 1975 season, Grogan was given the reigns of the Patriots offense. He started the last seven games with only one victory to his credit. As a rookie, Grogan posted respectable numbers with 1976 yards with 11 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
He also added 110 yards on the ground with three rushing scores.
This would just be a sneak preview for things to come from the lanky quarterback out of K-State.
Set. 3, 1981 - The Red Sox and the Mariners play nineteen innings to a 7-7 tie. The game ends with the Mariners winning 8-7 in 20 innings when the suspended game is resumed the next day making it the longest game played in Fenway Park history.
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