I went to my first Red Sox game in 1942.
My story, The Ecstasy & Agony of a Red Sox Fan, describes the highs and lows, the joys and disappointments, and the gratification and frustration of following the Boston Red Sox – as a child, a teenager, an adult, and a senior. Reading it may help explain to some the peculiar paranoia that permeates the psyche of older Red Sox fans, and help newer fans understand why their parents and grandparents are still tense when the Sox have a four-run lead with two outs and none on for their oponents in the ninth inning.
The situations and events that are based on my personal experiences – being at a game, watching it on television, listening to it on the radio, or interacting with an involved individual – are narratives that are uncolored by the opinions or partiality of anyone else. But many incidents that I write about are based on information, statistics and data obtained, reported and compiled by the media – by writers, analysts, and broadcasters who presumably had the access – that I did not, nor did any fan – to the inner workings of the Red Sox, i.e. what transpired in the clubhouse or front office, or between management and players, or between players.
The attitudes and beliefs of sports fans about a team are, to a great extent, shaped by people who presumably are objective in their reporting and have greater knowledge of the team than its fans do.
As I wrote in The Ecstasy & Agony of Being a Red Sox Fan I came to realize just how dependent I was, as is every fan, on information provided by the media. I also decided that some in the media often are not objective and/or have incomplete information, but that’s the way it is. Cum grano salis is the Latin expression for taking something with a grain of salt. It’s sometimes appropriate when reading sportswriters’ reports.
But whatever the source of a fan’s perspective or whether or not it is justified, he or she is entitled to it. That’s what being a fan is all about. So my descriptions, opinions and beliefs may or may not be complete or completely accurate.
But they are mine.i
My story, The Ecstasy & Agony of a Red Sox Fan, describes the highs and lows, the joys and disappointments, and the gratification and frustration of following the Boston Red Sox – as a child, a teenager, an adult, and a senior. Reading it may help explain to some the peculiar paranoia that permeates the psyche of older Red Sox fans, and help newer fans understand why their parents and grandparents are still tense when the Sox have a four-run lead with two outs and none on for their oponents in the ninth inning.
The situations and events that are based on my personal experiences – being at a game, watching it on television, listening to it on the radio, or interacting with an involved individual – are narratives that are uncolored by the opinions or partiality of anyone else. But many incidents that I write about are based on information, statistics and data obtained, reported and compiled by the media – by writers, analysts, and broadcasters who presumably had the access – that I did not, nor did any fan – to the inner workings of the Red Sox, i.e. what transpired in the clubhouse or front office, or between management and players, or between players.
The attitudes and beliefs of sports fans about a team are, to a great extent, shaped by people who presumably are objective in their reporting and have greater knowledge of the team than its fans do.
As I wrote in The Ecstasy & Agony of Being a Red Sox Fan I came to realize just how dependent I was, as is every fan, on information provided by the media. I also decided that some in the media often are not objective and/or have incomplete information, but that’s the way it is. Cum grano salis is the Latin expression for taking something with a grain of salt. It’s sometimes appropriate when reading sportswriters’ reports.
But whatever the source of a fan’s perspective or whether or not it is justified, he or she is entitled to it. That’s what being a fan is all about. So my descriptions, opinions and beliefs may or may not be complete or completely accurate.
But they are mine.i
Some of the Ecstasy and Agony
AGONY (1948 Playoff game) "The first playoff game in major league history was going to be played at Fenway Park the next day. I didn't sleep much that night. I was nervous about the game and upset that I would be at school. I thought about telling Mom that I felt sick, but knew that it would never work. Lou Boudreau picked Gene Bearden, who had beaten the Sox twice that season, to pitch for the Indians. Joe McCarthy, in a move that no one understood, picked Denny Galehouse as the Red Sox starter over Mel Parnell, who had won 15 game and was rested. Galehouse, who had an 8-7 record, was 36 years old and at the tail-end of his career. It wasn't close. Halfway though the game, a teacher came into our classroom and said that the Sox were losing, 6-2. There was a collective groan. By the time I got home the game was over. The Sox had lost, 8-3."
ECSTASY (1975 World Series) “Fisk hit the next pitch, a low fastball, high and deep. I followed the ball and saw that it would clear the Green Monster, but couldn’t tell if it was fair or foul. Then I saw it drop back down to the field. The crowd erupted. Fair ball. Home run. Sox win!”
AGONY (1978 Playoff game) “”What happened?” I yelled again. I got an unintelligible reply. The only word I could make out was Dent, the name of the Yankees’ light-hitting shortstop. “Say again, please! “*!!#$#@%&!!* Dent just hit a three-run homer! Four-two Yanks.” Among Red Sox fans that expletive would forever be Bucky Dent’s middle name.”
AGONY (1986 World Series) “I heard Carter single, Mitchell single and Knight single, scoring Carter. I heard the Mets’ crowd roaring. Bob Stanley replaced Schiraldi and threw a wild pitch. Mitchell scored. Red Sox five, Mets five. I heard Mookie Wilson hit a slow ground ball that went though Bill Buckner’s legs, scoring Knight. Mets win, six-five.”
ECSTASY (2004 World Series) “On the second pitch from Foulke, Renteria hit a ground ball back to Foulke, who underhanded it to Doug Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox were world’s champions!”
ECSTASY (2013 World Series) “Koji, still wearing his glove, being lifted into the air by Big Papi, wearing ski goggles over a motorcycle helmet . . . Jacoby Ellsbury lifting both arms in the air and shouting, “YES!!” . . . John Farrell jubilantly waving the Commissioner’s Trophy . . . and the inevitable champagne spray-fest in their clubhouse by exultant be-goggled Red Sox.”
ECSTASY (1975 World Series) “Fisk hit the next pitch, a low fastball, high and deep. I followed the ball and saw that it would clear the Green Monster, but couldn’t tell if it was fair or foul. Then I saw it drop back down to the field. The crowd erupted. Fair ball. Home run. Sox win!”
AGONY (1978 Playoff game) “”What happened?” I yelled again. I got an unintelligible reply. The only word I could make out was Dent, the name of the Yankees’ light-hitting shortstop. “Say again, please! “*!!#$#@%&!!* Dent just hit a three-run homer! Four-two Yanks.” Among Red Sox fans that expletive would forever be Bucky Dent’s middle name.”
AGONY (1986 World Series) “I heard Carter single, Mitchell single and Knight single, scoring Carter. I heard the Mets’ crowd roaring. Bob Stanley replaced Schiraldi and threw a wild pitch. Mitchell scored. Red Sox five, Mets five. I heard Mookie Wilson hit a slow ground ball that went though Bill Buckner’s legs, scoring Knight. Mets win, six-five.”
ECSTASY (2004 World Series) “On the second pitch from Foulke, Renteria hit a ground ball back to Foulke, who underhanded it to Doug Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox were world’s champions!”
ECSTASY (2013 World Series) “Koji, still wearing his glove, being lifted into the air by Big Papi, wearing ski goggles over a motorcycle helmet . . . Jacoby Ellsbury lifting both arms in the air and shouting, “YES!!” . . . John Farrell jubilantly waving the Commissioner’s Trophy . . . and the inevitable champagne spray-fest in their clubhouse by exultant be-goggled Red Sox.”
The Ecstasy & Agony of Being a Red Sox Fan is available from Amazon.com here and Barnes & Noble on line here or at your local Barnes & Noble store, and as an ebook here.
If the book is not yet on a shelf of your local bookstore, it can be ordered by ISBN 978-0-9904962-0-5
Further information about The Ecstasy & Agony of Being a Red Sox Fan can be obtained by contacting the publisher, Critical Choices, at criticalchoices@verizon.net or the author at redsoxecstasyandagony@verizon.net
Comments From Fans
“I am completely enjoying the book. As I read the book certain parts have brought tears to my eyes. In one section you write about the '75 season and describe how excited your son is and how he feels they are going to win it all. You then describe how he is so young and doesn't understand. I had to stop and clear my eyes at that point. I remember when my son called me in 2003 all excited saying "dad they are going to win and go to the series. There were still a couple of innings to go. He was excited I hated to dash his hopes. I told him "Mike it's not over yet this is the Sox we are talking about." He responded "dad how can you say that they are going to win." My response, son you are so young you will soon understand. Yup my son's name is Mike.
He called me later crying saying you were right what happened. The next year we cried together hugging each other after they won it all!
Thank you so much for writing this book. Many of us wondered if we would ever see a World Series title. We got three. All I can say is Go Sox!”
From South Carolina
“We of Red Sox Nation are an entity unto ourselves. It was wonderfully refreshing to hear our story through the words of a lifelong member. I didn't come into my own in the club until much later, but every time I watch a game, I see my grandfather sitting in his chair and watching. I believe that the evolution of this team, and the highly notable change from last season to this, make a book like your recollections bring the team right to a personal level. I salute this wonderful collection of memories, and hope there might be more to come!!”
From Massachusetts
"I am writing to thank you. I am so glad you contacted me about your book. I purchased a copy and I am in the process of reading it. In general I am a pretty fast reader, but I am purposely reading your book very slowly. I am about 1/3 through and dreading the end! I have thoroughly enjoyed your book so far. Much of the first part of the book is before my time, but I have hard my father talk about these years so often, that I feel like I am there and experiencing it. My father and I were very close (I am the only girl of 6 children), and he passed away just about two years ago after a long illness. He was born and raised in Waltham/Watertown/Newton and I loved listening to him talk about his many childhood visits to Fenway....so many of the stories have the same tone and feeling as yours. I am treasuring each chapter as I read it and I truly don't want it to end. So many of the experiences I have had surrounding my life as a Red Sox fan feel like they were meant to be. I can't help but feel the same way about you contacting me about this book. Thank you and bless you. I plan to purchase several copies for friends who I know will feel as I do."
From Arizona
“I am completely enjoying the book. As I read the book certain parts have brought tears to my eyes. In one section you write about the '75 season and describe how excited your son is and how he feels they are going to win it all. You then describe how he is so young and doesn't understand. I had to stop and clear my eyes at that point. I remember when my son called me in 2003 all excited saying "dad they are going to win and go to the series. There were still a couple of innings to go. He was excited I hated to dash his hopes. I told him "Mike it's not over yet this is the Sox we are talking about." He responded "dad how can you say that they are going to win." My response, son you are so young you will soon understand. Yup my son's name is Mike.
He called me later crying saying you were right what happened. The next year we cried together hugging each other after they won it all!
Thank you so much for writing this book. Many of us wondered if we would ever see a World Series title. We got three. All I can say is Go Sox!”
From South Carolina
“We of Red Sox Nation are an entity unto ourselves. It was wonderfully refreshing to hear our story through the words of a lifelong member. I didn't come into my own in the club until much later, but every time I watch a game, I see my grandfather sitting in his chair and watching. I believe that the evolution of this team, and the highly notable change from last season to this, make a book like your recollections bring the team right to a personal level. I salute this wonderful collection of memories, and hope there might be more to come!!”
From Massachusetts
"I am writing to thank you. I am so glad you contacted me about your book. I purchased a copy and I am in the process of reading it. In general I am a pretty fast reader, but I am purposely reading your book very slowly. I am about 1/3 through and dreading the end! I have thoroughly enjoyed your book so far. Much of the first part of the book is before my time, but I have hard my father talk about these years so often, that I feel like I am there and experiencing it. My father and I were very close (I am the only girl of 6 children), and he passed away just about two years ago after a long illness. He was born and raised in Waltham/Watertown/Newton and I loved listening to him talk about his many childhood visits to Fenway....so many of the stories have the same tone and feeling as yours. I am treasuring each chapter as I read it and I truly don't want it to end. So many of the experiences I have had surrounding my life as a Red Sox fan feel like they were meant to be. I can't help but feel the same way about you contacting me about this book. Thank you and bless you. I plan to purchase several copies for friends who I know will feel as I do."
From Arizona