For Boston

Signs of Spring 2008:

1. Back on Feb 2, the groundhog proclaimed 6 more weeks of winter, which would have been March 15
2. The robins have been back in town for a week since around March 17
3. The vernal equinox was March 20

The real date for the start of spring this year is... March 31. That's when the Yankees open up their season against Toronto at Yankee Stadium.

The number one question I've been asked lately is "Doesn't your head get cold?!". Before that, it was "What happened to your hair?!". For the majority of my life, though, the number one question has been some variation of "How can you like the Yankees/Lakers/Raiders and/or hate the Red Sox/Celtics/Patriots!?"

The "why" answer varies for each of my three favorite teams, but the answer is the same for why I don't like any Boston or Massachusetts teams. Why should I? 

Many, if not most, native Mainers are exposed at a young age to the evils of "out-of-staters". The worst of the flatlanders are the "Mass-holes". They're the ones that drive the fastest, cut you off the most, and often flip you the bird while doing so. Even more reviled than the visiting variety are the ones that decide to actually move here. Stereotypically, they move here to enjoy the quiet, slow Maine life style and then they immediately run for office and/or demand more services of the government, driving up taxes for everyone else. Massachussets leading export is grief. Sadly, they've been so succesful in their quest that MA now lags ME in taxes.

In Maine history class, I loved hearing about how Maine rejected MA rule and seceded from them to become our own state in 1820. What most people don't realize is that New Hampshire really only exists to provide a buffer between ME and MA. That and cheap liquor.

So I say to the people of Maine, "Why do you lend aid and comfort to the enemy? Why would you pledge to support those would seek to enslave you? Who among you would trade the majestic White Pine for the road-side billboard? The noble white-capped chickadee for the dirty gray pigeon? Throw off your yokes and cheer for anyone BUT the Boston Red Sox!"

Of course, people were a lot more open to that message before 2004 when the Red Sox stumbled their way to the World Series. Lightning struck twice and they repeated the "feat" in 2007. That's all well and good for people like my grandfather who suffered for years as Red Sox fans, but I fear that these recent flukes are luring younger generations in when in all likelihood, 2008 is the start of another 86 year losing streak. Thankfully, my oldest daughter is well on her way to becoming a true Yankee fan, which will give her a leg up self-esteem-wise over her less fortunate classmates. I fear for my little one, though. Whenever big sister yells "Go Yankees!", she replies "Go Red Sox!". She seems to be a natural-born contrarian, which I believe comes from her mother's side.

Comments

[March]

What about the Bruins? Where is the love for them?

[Jason Raven]

Sadly, you are one of only a tiny handful of people I know that pay any attention to hockey. The only hockey games I've watched in the last 5 years have been the usually mighty UMaine Black Bears, but my favorite NHL team would be the LA Kings.

I started paying attention to them in '88 when they traded for the Great One and switched to those sweet silver and black uniforms. I still maintain that they would have beaten Montreal for the Stanley Cup in 1993 if it weren't for Marty McSorley and his stupid illegal hockey stick!

[Carissa]

I still can't believe that Angela married a Yankee fan ;-)