At the beginning of the season, everyone had their boxers in a knot over the Boston Red Sox being in last place ten games into the season. Toronto and Baltimore were atop the AL East, followed by Tampa Bay, New York and then us. The Sawx fought back, reclaimed first place and even jumped out to a pretty decent first place lead before the all-star break. After the all-star game, Boston has lost 14 of their last 24 games and dropped to 5 and 1/2 games back of the New York Yankees in the Division. Fear not Sox fans, this is absolutely normal.
As I mentioned, back in April everyone was hitting panic after the Red Sox were in last place, 10 games into the season. Every year, the same thing happens, we start off slow, pick up steam going into the break, skid right after the all-star game and then we'll pick up again in September as the pennant race comes to a close. So continue to remain calm, this is everything that has happened in the past three or four years, nothing new and different. Plus, they wouldn't be our favorite team if they didn't boil our blood and drop four straight games to the Yankees in the Bronx.
Ready To Rumble
Remember in 2004 when Jason Varitek snuffed A-Rod with his mitt and the rest was history? Of course you do, everyone remembers it, heck, I've got the picture hanging in my living room as the centerpiece. Kevin Youkilis' act last night of charging the mound and spearing Detroit's Rick Porcello after being hit by a pitch in the second may not be comparable to what happened between the Sox and Yanks, but topped with Terry Francona getting himself tossed in the second after JD Drew was caught stealing could be just what we needed to light a fire under our asses as we work back to the top.
This four game series against Detroit is just the beginning of our journey into the post season as we will turn things around before the end of next month going for the pennant. I urge you Sox fans, continue to remain calm, this is a regular occurrence, it gives us time to curse and yell at the Sox. Then we can rejoice and say "I knew they would win it all along", as if the losing never happened. That's the best part about being a Sox fan, no matter what side of the fence we're on, our hearts are content to root for our team.
Thanks To Keith Allison for the photo of Kevin Youkilis.
