I grew up with the old AL East. It was my beloved Jays along with the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees. I hated those last six teams with all my heart and soul.
The two teams I always had the most hate for were the Yankees and Red Sox. I hated them the way I hate the Habs and Sens in the NHL. I could never, ever root for the Yankees or Red Sox, at least I thought I couldn't...
I just watched a 30 for 30 ESPN production called "Four Days in October" and it brought me back to a brief period in 2004 when I actually rooted for the Red Sox. Looking back, I think I was transferring the plight of fellow Leafs fans with the plight of Red Sox fans. It was a crazy time, you had to be there.
I was blogging here in 2004, so it's easy to follow my flip-flopping and see what turned me.
- October 12, 2004 / 10:54 EST - I wrote about the curse of the Bambino and explicitly predicted the Yankees would beat the Red Sox in their series. I had no doubts.
- October 14, 2004 / 10:31 EST - I wrote about former Blue Jays in the playoffs. I stated how nice it would be for John Olerud to play for another title and how likely that was considering the curse.
- October 17, 2004 / 12:44 EST - With the Red Sox down three games to none, I laughed at those who didn't believe in the curse. "There is a curse and Boston will never again win another World Series. Mark my words."
- October 20, 2004 / 07:56 EST - Prior to the seventh game between the Yankees and Red Sox, I was looking forward to seeing "what new creative way Boston finds to cough it up". I thought the three game winning streak was "a giant tease to make Red Sox fans believe again."
- October 21, 2004 / 15:12 EST - Shocked by the Red Sox victory the night before, I start to believe in the impossible. I start to believe the Red Sox could win it all. "Everyone suddenly has warm-fuzzy feelings about all things New England and if they manage to reverse the curse and win the World Series Kerry may ride that Boston high to victory on November 4th."
- October 22, 2004 / 08:17 EST - I throw my support behind Larry Walker and the Cardinals referring to my "hate on" for the Red Sox and the fact history repeats.
- October 22, 2004 / 18:11 EST - A Guest Blog by my brother Steve accuses me of brushing the Boston victory under the blogging carpet. In response, I write "I must be the only one who hasn't embraced them."
- October 27, 2004 / 16:09 EST - I stumble upon a message on a Red Sox fan bulletin board that brings a tear to my eye. "Win it for Ted, who once said, "If they ever won it, I would feel so @#%$ warm inside."" At this point, I'm rooting for the Red Sox as I relate their fans' woes to mine as a die hard Leafs supporter.
Yes, it was that damn Red Sox fan bulletin board post that did it for me. It was like they were talking to us Leafs die-hards. In fact, I've written a "win it for" message for this blog when the Leafs return to the Stanley Cup finals. I can't wait to publish it.
I haven't rooted for the Red Sox since.
