The Red Sox are personal
Over the course of my most fortunate life, I have written millions of words, hundreds of thousands of sentences about topics as diverse as wars, homicides, infernos and too many pathetic politicians. Writing is the hardest of all occupations with one exception: Hitting a 78 mph change-up moments after seeing a 96 mph cut fastball break over the outside corner of the plate.
Now we have this: An insistence on blogging as part of a campaign for the presidency of Red Sox Nation. I have been across the land this year, standing in the back of halls filled with those thick with fever over the candidacies of people like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Rudy Guiliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney. And, depending on the schedule, I have found myself repeatedly checking my Blackberry for out of town scores, checking the inning by inning progress of the Olde Towne Team.
Yankee scores. Pitching match-ups. Truly important stuff.
Years ago, too many to conjure, I wrote in a small local newspaper now owned by The New York Times, that "baseball is not a matter of life and death. But the Red Sox are." That holds true today, all these summers later. The affection for the club has never been deeper, extending across too many zip codes to be accurately counted. The fear of failure still lingers too despite the ring won in '04 and the misery that was buried then. But only briefly because we are -- The Nation is -- a fandom always on the edge of our seats.
So that is why I have failed to meet all the requirements involved in blogging for this presidency deal. There will be no picture of me wearing a team hat. No biography proclaiming my allegiance or listing the number of games I attend each year. No 'links' to other internet sites to amuse or entertain the occasional reader or itinerant browser.
The leaves are turning. Each day assumes a larger importance that the one just past. There are box scores to be studied. Fingernails to be bitten. Dreams allowed to breathe and nightmares to be stomped, repressed and pushed to the shadows.
There is no time for fluff, for the frivolous, even for a campaign.
There is only time to win because when you are who I am -- or who you might be, too -- the Red Sox are personal, a habit, a whole life of expectation and excitement arriving each day. So you can go blog. I'm going to a ball game.
The Red Sox are personal for all of us. The difference for the run-of-the mill fans, like some of us who had also been running for this position, is that you have unlimited access to the team by virtue of your celebrity status. While the rest of us can only dream about the kind of access you have, you can pick up the phone and the Red Sox will answer. While it's true that you can't go to many games because of your job, I can't go to many games because I can't get tickets. I sit here, in Yankee-land, watching the game from the point of view of the Yankee commentators and can't do a thing about it. Otherwise, I watch on the small screen--the computer--because the Red Sox are not only personal, they are part of my heart, one of the reasons I breathe every day. When the season ends, I go through withdrawal symptoms for several weeks. Last year I moped for a couple of days because the last game--which meant nothing in the standings--was called because of a virtual monsoon rainstorm at Fenway. But I wanted Trot Nixon to be able to play a full game at home. I will blog, I will watch the campaign, I will read your words. This is one way of helping to divert the stress of watching the Red Sox play the Yankees. Let the campaign comments begin!
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Glad to have you in the MLBlogosphere, Mike, and feel free to keep blogging here long after the election is over! Best of luck,
Mark/MLB.com
http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com
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I'm personally a Rob Crawford fan, but your blog sends a good message. Thanks.
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If You don't have time to speak to the constituents of RedSox Nation how can you be expected to be the president? We need someone who is focused and dedicated to the fans. Who better than a member of the young dedicated fan base. I say we should back Jared Carrabis "T-Shirt Guy".
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Actually, many people I know are boycotting the election due to the elimination of Luis Cosenza and Greg Caliri, RSN Message Board mavens. Unfortunately, they are real fans and the Sox could not accept them, so they elevated all sorts of ersatz "celebrities". Sorry, count us out.
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Again, congratulations on making it through to the top 10.
I don't recall if I posted here or not, I assume I didn't, so I'm giving you the same chance to answer the issue-related questions.
I saw that the comments I thought I made weren't on your blog -- so here goes.
If you want my vote -- I'd like to know how you feel about these fan issues, that I heard over and over on my campaign, in the stands and around Fenway Park.
1) Do you have any plans or ideas to make more game tickets available to fans, or any suggestions that the Sox ownership could carry out?
2) Have you looked into the current legislation on Beacon Hill concerning re-selling of tickets? What is your stance? Also, what of the StubHub-MLB alliance? Should the Sox enter into it?
3) Do you have any ideas as to how Red Sox Nation can be united not just socially, but for philanthropic purposes?
Best Regards
Greg
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Glad you're off Wtkk. After 1 day you are boring
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good riddance to you, you bum.
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Your blog was outstanding - you're singing my song!! You're one of my favorite journalists, love it when you substitute for Chris on Hardball! Keep writing about the Sox. From Canada with love!!
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Good luck Mike!!
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Mikie" sorry pal, I love who and what you believe in nut I gave my vote for the Local Kid from Saugus. I think a man like you who has the phillosophy to do the right thing should bring you to the top of the list. Best Wishes
Lynn Mass
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