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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 67.100.207.90 (talk) at 15:28, 28 October 2004 (→Topics of significance to Red Sox Nation). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Red Sox Nation is a term given to fans of the Boston Red Sox, who tend to be scattered throughout the United States.

Because so many New England natives re-locate to other parts of the country, a large number of Red Sox fans can typically be found supporting their team at Red Sox games outside of Fenway Park. These fans keep up with the team by watching the games on satellite television, as well as through various Web sites. Many are even known to call the popular WEEI sports-talk radio station in Boston during the season and remain on hold, merely to be able to listen in.

Red Sox Nation is powered by the massive media machine covering the team, including the NESN TV network (whose broadcasts are generally biased towards the Sox), WEEI, and the sports pages of the Boston Globe and Boston Herald. These media outlets, as well as national outlets such as ESPN provide Sox fans with incredibly in-depth coverage and often-highly-opinionated commentary on the current doings of the team.

Red Sox fans were once described by commentator/Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley as the ultimate manic-depressive fanbase. For all the excitement over the quality of play by the Red Sox, there is almost always a twinge of pessimism about the team, and small failings by the team are usually blown to a much higher proportion. Conversely, Sox fans are extremely appreciative of the strengths of the team, and almost all successful Red Sox players have at some point expressed their gratitude to the fans for their support. Sox fans could not be described as "bandwagon" fans, but they could at least be described as being somewhat rattled by the failures the team has experienced over the past 86 years and greatly appreciate the current success the team is enjoying as of October 2004.

Topics of significance to Red Sox Nation

• 2004 World Series: The Red Sox won the World Series, causing amazing excitement in the New England area and the nation at large.
• New York Yankees: The Red Sox/Yankees rivalry is almost certainly the most serious sports rivalry in the United States. Red Sox Nation is extremely averse to anything "Yankee," and it is not at all uncommon to walk down the streets of Boston or New England and see someone wearing a t-shirt with an obscene reference to one or more members of the Yankee club.
  • Curse of the Bambino: A media created myth that was the single most important piece of Red Sox lore.
  • Who's Your Daddy?
  • Bucky Dent's home run in the 1978 One-Game Playoff
  • Roger Clemens saga: The future hall of famer was once the Red Sox' pitching ace, but then had several successful seasons with the Yankees, including during the 2003 ALCS (see below).
  • Alex Rodriguez saga: Between the 2003 and 2004 seasons, Rodriguez, considered one of the greatest shortstops of all time, sought a trade from the small market team Texas Rangers. Theo Epstein and the Red Sox ownership tried desperately to sign A-Rod(as he is known). However, problems arose in dealing with the players' union and the deal fell apart after Red Sox Nation had built up massive expectations. Adding insult to injury, on February 14, A-Rod signed with the Yankees, who were easily able to arrive at the figures necessary for the trade to work. Furthermore, the deal, which likely would have sent Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez to different teams, damaged their opinion of the ownership. (see Nomar Trade below)
• 1918 World Series: The last World Series won by the Red Sox (as of October 25, 2004)
• 1986 World Series: Perhaps the most heartbreaking moment in all of sports, the Red Sox lost the World Series on an error by Bill Buckner. He subsequently became the local scapegoat for all the woes of the Red Sox since 1918, to the extent that his career was ruined and he was essentially run out of town.
• 2003 ALCS: The Red Sox came within three outs of advancing to the 2003 World Series, but questionable managerial decisions and mistake pitches by Pedro Martinez and Tim Wakefield led to the Yankees tying the game and eventually winning the series in extra innings.
  • Cowboy Up
• Still, we Believe: 2004 documentary of the 2003 Red Sox season. Terms like "Believe" and "Faith" would be the mantra of the fanbase during the 2004 season.
• Tessie: Theme song performed by the Dropkick Murphys, with proceeds going to charity. Red Sox Nation has proven to be an incredible source of philanthropy.
• Nomar Garciaparra trade: Nomar, generally thought to have been a franchise player whose number would be retired between those of Joe Cronin and Carl Yastrzemski, was sent to the Chicago Cubs in July 2004, resulting in the acquisition of Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. There are mixed feelings as to how Nomar was affecting the rest of the team, that his attitude may have been overly negative and an anathema that caused him to be incompatible with his teammates. This can also be correlated to the team's remarkably better play down the stretch after the trade was completed. However, this may be a concoction by the aforementioned media, especially Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy.

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