Finally. Finally we can put 2004 to bed and turn out the lights. Sure, we'll leave the nightlight on, for that time in July after Baltimore sweeps the Sox and the Zakim Bridge is again taking reservations. Although the team's history once made the task of thinking of the glory days near impossible, revisiting the past can now be a leisurely activity.
But 2005, if you haven't yet noticed, needs our attention in the worst way. 2004 should be taking a nap now, but some people refuse to let it sleep.
Not to take anything away from Monday's ceremony and the ensuing dismantling of the Team We Love to Hate, but I just have to say ... no m??s! Even ice cream would start to taste funky if you've been eating it for five straight months. And the same goes for the Sox euphoria ... just ease up off the gas pedal a bit.
And maybe my message is not for you Sox fans in our little community reading this. I should have seen the writing on the wall when one of my friends, a lifelong fan, at the time of the Series seemed just a smidgen turned off by how vogue it had become to be associated in any way with this team. My message may be better suited for the media powers that be, who are putting our team front and center, but even I didn't realize I would almost become numb to the positive effects, which are meant to market us to the nation.
When Pedro was on the Sports Illustrated cover before the 2000 season, an issue in which said magazine predicted the Sox to take the prize (the Yankees, instead, won their last title, 4-1 over the Mets) we couldn't stop talking about that for weeks. "Wow, the Sox getting national attention, too cool!"
We were always on the outside looking in at the charmed life, and now that we are charmed, I find myself a bit uncomfortable. We are just out of our element right now, and we're entering territory reserved for those who have been here and know how to act like it.
So there are Damon and Jeter on the cover of SI from two weeks ago. There's Captain Varitek looking back at me from the front of ESPN the Mag. More Damon, more HBO specials, more books written about this team than about Bush. And, oh look, there's a movie, "Fever Pitch," to make us all feel more worthwhile as Sox fans. Because nothing or no one is that important until there has been a movie made about it, or so I've heard.
I guess I should just shut up and enjoy all the attention being steeped upon our fine city, because it could be gone any second. But will I really miss it? Will I really miss seeing Ben Affleck sitting directly next to the Sox dugout as he chats with David Wells? I think I'm alright.
It's just that, even with talk of grace periods and the revered terms we use when speaking of last year, I want them to do it again this year. Just as bad. Were they to do it, this one may not come accompanied by all the poetry and pomp and circumstance, but wouldn't that be the ultimate kicker to show that we are not in the fluke business?
The Pats had what by their current standards would be a down year (9-7, missed playoff by a tiebreaker) following their first championship. But in rattling off two more dominant seasons and revamping their model franchise, they now have a protective shield to all who might sling arrows at them. They can't be criticized.
So why is it that all I want to do is criticize Sox Nation right now in its finest hour? I'm not trying to blast it, but merely tap the collection of crazed backers on the shoulder as I say "Can we just focus our attention forward now?"
I feel like Johnny Moxon's dad in "Varsity Blues" right now, after Johnny receives in the mail his acceptance letter to Brown.
Dad: "Johnny, that's great about Brown, but I have to talk to you about GILROY!"
Dawson: "Tell me who wins!"
I'm completely raining on the parade, I know, but at some point this has to die down, so I think a little drizzle is necessary. I think there are others who share my sentiments a bit. They may be calling WEEI's Whiner Line, with lines such as "Why don't we get ourselves a RenteREAL shortstop" or my favorite "Bellhorn struck out again today - at least someone's in midseason form." But at least these fans aren't letting a completely different time and a completely different team (10 of the 25 players on the Opening Day roster are new) effect how they view this year's version.
Or maybe I just need to lighten up ...
