SPORTS
Feeling bad for Boston, Patriots
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Also by Aaron Brenner:
- Rockies owe Brew Crew their thanks (October 19, 2007)
- Slow start kills chance of repeat (March 21, 2007)
- Wisconsin loses shot to defend title (March 19, 2007)
- Better than advertised: Elliott still 'superb' (March 15, 2007)
Related Stories:
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- Red Sox beat Yankees, force game 7 (October 16, 2003)
- The rich get richer (February 17, 2004)
- Wakefield shines as Sox beat Yankees (October 9, 2003)
- Yankees suck (October 29, 2001)
by Aaron Brenner
Thursday, March 23, 2006
To all Boston natives: I'm sorry.
I didn't do it, but I feel really, really terrible.
I mean, come on. You just had Johnny Damon up and run to the hated New York Yankees. Yeah, I know. Money talks. But Damon is still an idiot of a different sort for his defection.
Now, poor Boston, Mass., after getting kicked in the crotch, you just got nailed again while reeling on the ground. I sincerely wish this didn't have to happen.
Adam Vinatieri just pulled a Damon on you guys, and I can't stand it. I send my condolences to sports fans of Boston teams everywhere today.
I hope I'm not the only one who felt some déjàvu on Tuesday when ex-New England Patriot Vinatieri, perhaps the most clutch kicker in the history of the NFL, is said to have inked a three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
And I thought the Denver Broncos got screwed when the Cowboys yanked Terrell Owens away from them. At least the Broncos aren't exactly at odds with Dallas.
Now, stop screaming that I should never compare any sort of Colts-Patriots rivalry with that of the Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Believe me, I know there is no feud like the one between the fans, cities and even players of the Red Sox and Yankees.
But don't discount the Indy-New England rivalry too much. After all, Sportsillustrated.com did just recently name it the No. 1 "New School Rivalry" in all of football.
Again, it doesn't quite measure up to the Curse of the Bambino or other pieces of Sox-Yanks history. However, it would be fair to consider the Colts-Pats rivalry one of the hottest in — dare I say it — all of sport, wouldn't it?
Yes, there is a striking resemblance between the two moves. Damon helped the Sawx pull off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports, knocking off the pinheads — excuse me, pinstripes — in the 2004 ALCS after going down 3-0 to start. The Jesus look-alike became the Big Apple's greatest nightmare, as he homered twice (including a grand slam) in Game 7, the greatest night in Red Sox history.
But then, after the 2005 season, New York's greatest nightmare signed a dream deal with the Yanks and became their new prize center fielder. The heart and soul of Boston was ripped away from them.
Then there's the case of Vinatieri. He didn't directly lay the hurt on Indianapolis, but his two Super Bowl-winning field goals for the 2001 and 2003 World Champion Patriots gave New England some serious leverage over Peyton Manning and the up-and-coming Colts. Tom Brady may be the "heart and soul" of the Patriots, but he wouldn't have already stamped his ticket for Canton at age 28 if it weren't for Vinatieri's clutch kicks in the Big Games.
New England knocked the Colts out of playoff contention in the 2003 and 2004 AFC playoffs. With Vinatieri's signing, it would appear Indianapolis is sick of it.
Yeah, I know he's a kicker. I'm sure there aren't as many Patriot fans crying in their clam chowder after Vinatieri's farewell as there were Red Sox enthusiasts after Damon's stunning decision. But that shouldn't take away from the similarity of the situation.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed it when my hometown Broncos knocked the Pats off their pedestal in the playoffs this past season. But at the time, I must say that I definitely respected New England and the class with which the organization upholds itself throughout all its success.
But as a Red Sox supporter, as someone who knows how bad it hurts to see a fan favorite leave for the enemy, a part of me really wants the Patriots to get back on the horse and win it all a year from now.
Why Boston? What is it with that city that keeps having great things taken away from it?
Well, no matter. I suppose the four championships — three for New England and one for the Red Sox — should help the citizens keep their chins up.
After all, that's more than New York — titleless since the 2000 Yankees — and Indianapolis — no major sports championships — can say. Anyone who feels for Boston should hope that the efforts of Damon and Vinatieri with their new teams fail to change that.
Aaron is a freshman majoring in journalism. It's been four days and Aaron already wants spring break back. You can share his pain for Boston at abrenner@badgerherald.com.
Anonymous (March 23, 2006 @ 9:14am):
Where is the loyalty of the Patriots and Red Sox management to the players that perform and bring championships to this city?Are you telling me that you would turn down a 3.5 million signing bonus and 2.5 a year when the Patriots would do nothing to keep you there and not have enough faith in you to give you the cash after all that you did for them.The Patriots do not have a team that has a gun slinger for a quarterback . The team is has been winning by low amounts and need a kicker like Vinatieri to win all the close games that they won.Take Adam out of the picture and how many wins do you have?
As for Johnny Damon,12 million more over 4 years and you would not take it?Are YOU crazy?You want the players to be loyal but not management?Tell that to Bronson Arroyo.
Anonymous (March 23, 2006 @ 9:24am):
I, for one, am a ravenous Red Sox/Patriots fan who feels the bottom has fallen out of our beloved sport teams.
I have arrived at the point of realizing that the owners and coaches of both teams know more about their plans for the future then I do. Hence, there must be a reason for some of the losses we are suffering.
New England fans are known for making their wishes known, and if either or both of the teams have nothing to produce this year, the fans will let them know their dissatisfaction.
Anonymous (March 24, 2006 @ 12:15am):
Greatest Night in Red Sox History...
If one chooses to look back in retrospect, it has got to be Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.
If choosing to look it as the experience of that moment, Game 6 of 1975 World Series.
Game 7 of the 2004 ACLS was over before it could get started.
Anonymous (March 24, 2006 @ 5:42am):
Aaron - thank you for feeling our pain. When I read yesterday's Globe article about his dad saying that "Adam wanted to stay with the Patriot's in the worst way" - I had to laugh - if that were TRUE, he would have stayed a Pat and not gone to the highest bidder. I am so sick of hearing "it's just business" - no loyalty anymore.
My son lives in Boulder and I have to tell you that he was very conflicted re: the Denver/NE game! LOL! I'm happy for you that they won - they outplayed us. Too bad they didn't go all the way - maybe next year - but I'm hoping the Pats do that just to show these guys who defected that no one player is more important than the TEAM! Go Pats!
P.S. - happy to see that you are a Sox supporter - what have the Rockies been up to lately? - wandalee3@aol.com
