***ALCS*** Tampa Bay Rays v. Boston Red Sox (1 Viewer)

[Finless]

C'mon Rays. I don't want to have to be Philly fan.

Then get on board with the BoSox

See, the whole Red Sox story was cute right up until they broke the Curse. Now, their fans have completely ruined it.I'm with Sofa. I won't watch a second of the World Series if it's Phillies/Red Sox, but I will hope that there is a God and I will hope that the Phillies take it so I don't have to listen to every single Red Sox fan I know rub it in my face with the historic comeback in the ALCS and how the Red Sox are a dynasty and how "gritty" the team is and blah blah blah....

The fans ruined it? C'mon. I can understand not being a fan of the team but to root against a team harder than you root for your own team is ridiculous. And I see a whole lot of that. Now take a look at the Red Sox roster. Take a look at the guys they are fielding. They should have won no more than a game or two against the Angels and same with the Rays but somehow this "gritty" team HAS got it done. They may not win this series and that's okay because it's been an incredible ALCS. In all honesty with the triple A team they're running out there it's already been a success.Now is it any coincidence most of the people who complain about Boston teams and their fans are from NY/NJ, Cleveland, San Diego, St Louis, Pittsburgh, DD's computer room and now Tampa? Call it what you want but if Boston wins tonight you can chalk up another incredible come from behind series and run to the World Series. God the fans are horrible. The same fans who were all standing and going nuts while their team was down 2 games and 7 runs in the 7th inning of an elimination game. Absolutely going crazy. The same fans that stay at the stadium for 45 minutes after a big win to cheer for the players. The same fans that have filled every seat in Fenway since May of 2003 (a year and a half before winning the series). The same fans that make road games like Tampa, Oakland and Toronto seem like home games.Sure there's dooshy fans but I think that comes with any team that finds success. And there's also the same dooshy anti-fans who hate success. Just look at a couple of these Rays fans. Their team won a few playoff games and they're already talking about dominating the future of baseball and sizing up their World Series Champs gear.All that said, they Rays are a monster of a team and I'm not looking forward to having to deal with them, the Yankees and a blossoming Jays team in the future.

 

[Capella]

Just back from the game...

Jebus...Sox fans are not cool. I guess that goes without saying...

It's going to end how it should...may the best man win!

Care to elaborate on that?

The representatives of your fanbase at the Trop embarrassed you. Your group deserves every ounce of the incredibly poor reputation that you have.

Like I said. Care to elaborate on that? This is your first time in the playoffs. You are playing with the big boys now. What was so egregious that you were that offended last night?

No, this issn't the first time a TB team made the playoffs. Some of us have seen big games before. Stop being so caught up in yourself.

 

[Pat Patriot]

C'mon Rays. I don't want to have to be Philly fan.

Then get on board with the BoSox

See, the whole Red Sox story was cute right up until they broke the Curse. Now, their fans have completely ruined it.I'm with Sofa. I won't watch a second of the World Series if it's Phillies/Red Sox, but I will hope that there is a God and I will hope that the Phillies take it so I don't have to listen to every single Red Sox fan I know rub it in my face with the historic comeback in the ALCS and how the Red Sox are a dynasty and how "gritty" the team is and blah blah blah....

If the Sox win it all, all of the above is true....deal with it.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Just back from the game...

Jebus...Sox fans are not cool. I guess that goes without saying...

It's going to end how it should...may the best man win!

Care to elaborate on that?

The representatives of your fanbase at the Trop embarrassed you. Your group deserves every ounce of the incredibly poor reputation that you have.

Like I said. Care to elaborate on that? This is your first time in the playoffs. You are playing with the big boys now. What was so egregious that you were that offended last night?

No, this issn't the first time a TB team made the playoffs. Some of us have seen big games before. Stop being so caught up in yourself.

I'm still waiting. What did Red Sox fans do that was so egregious to embarass the whole fan base other than drown out the TB fans that were in the stands. In a playoff game, I should not be able to hear a "Here we got Red Sox" chant through the TV.

 

[Capella]

Btw fin, if you look in the 2007 Rays thread (I don't actually expect you to) I was mortified by Sox fans way before this year. So was knightro.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Just back from the game...

Jebus...Sox fans are not cool. I guess that goes without saying...

It's going to end how it should...may the best man win!

Care to elaborate on that?

The representatives of your fanbase at the Trop embarrassed you. Your group deserves every ounce of the incredibly poor reputation that you have.

Like I said. Care to elaborate on that? This is your first time in the playoffs. You are playing with the big boys now. What was so egregious that you were that offended last night?

No, this issn't the first time a TB team made the playoffs. Some of us have seen big games before. Stop being so caught up in yourself.

I've been to playoff games in all 4 major sports. I've never left the building complaining about the other teams fans after my team loss.

 

[eoMMan]

Phils fan here....

I'm rooting for the Rays.

 

[Finless]

Btw fin, if you look in the 2007 Rays thread (I don't actually expect you to) I was mortified by Sox fans way before this year. So was knightro.

No doubt. You've been complaining about them for years. I never said this was a new thing with you. I've never noticed much out of Knightro in the way of ripping fan bases. Not saying it didn't happen I just hadn't noticed it. Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem. I will admit there are a fare share of idiots out there but you'll find those same idiots from Boston all the way down to Philadelphia. It's an east coast thing. It's just much more apparent with Boston because of the Sox and Patriots success and the amount of coverage they get. Much of my posting is done tongue in cheek. I'm not a "Yankees suck" guy and I don't think I've had a whole lot to say about the Rays besides them being a thorn in our side year in and year out. All the other stuff about Dynasties, Yankees rebuilding threads and other hyperbole is just a mockery of the completely over the top fans and journalists that cover Boston sports.I'm a huge fan but I respect all of the opponents. I'm usually that guy who is on the road going to games. The locals have always got a kick out of me. And as far as Fenway goes the real fans there don't put up with over the top rude fans. They get booed and often ushered out of the park.

 

[Michael Brown]

C'mon Rays. I don't want to have to be Philly fan.

Then get on board with the BoSox

See, the whole Red Sox story was cute right up until they broke the Curse. Now, their fans have completely ruined it.I'm with Sofa. I won't watch a second of the World Series if it's Phillies/Red Sox, but I will hope that there is a God and I will hope that the Phillies take it so I don't have to listen to every single Red Sox fan I know rub it in my face with the historic comeback in the ALCS and how the Red Sox are a dynasty and how "gritty" the team is and blah blah blah....

The fans ruined it? C'mon. I can understand not being a fan of the team but to root against a team harder than you root for your own team is ridiculous. And I see a whole lot of that. Now take a look at the Red Sox roster. Take a look at the guys they are fielding. They should have won no more than a game or two against the Angels and same with the Rays but somehow this "gritty" team HAS got it done. They may not win this series and that's okay because it's been an incredible ALCS. In all honesty with the triple A team they're running out there it's already been a success.Now is it any coincidence most of the people who complain about Boston teams and their fans are from NY/NJ, Cleveland, San Diego, St Louis, Pittsburgh, DD's computer room and now Tampa? Call it what you want but if Boston wins tonight you can chalk up another incredible come from behind series and run to the World Series. God the fans are horrible. The same fans who were all standing and going nuts while their team was down 2 games and 7 runs in the 7th inning of an elimination game. Absolutely going crazy. The same fans that stay at the stadium for 45 minutes after a big win to cheer for the players. The same fans that have filled every seat in Fenway since May of 2003 (a year and a half before winning the series). The same fans that make road games like Tampa, Oakland and Toronto seem like home games.

Sure there's dooshy fans but I think that comes with any team that finds success. And there's also the same dooshy anti-fans who hate success. Just look at a couple of these Rays fans. Their team won a few playoff games and they're already talking about dominating the future of baseball and sizing up their World Series Champs gear.

All that said, they Rays are a monster of a team and I'm not looking forward to having to deal with them, the Yankees and a blossoming Jays team in the future.

I mostly agree with this except for unequivocally, 100%, with-every-fiber-of-my-being-I-disagree, with the bolded part. Stop making pre-excuses in case they don't win. Triple-A? I know you're big on fishing and maybe I'm "hooked". If so, so be it. But if this was a serious comment, it's patently ridiculous.

 

[The Ghost of Common]

Btw fin, if you look in the 2007 Rays thread (I don't actually expect you to) I was mortified by Sox fans way before this year. So was knightro.

No doubt. You've been complaining about them for years. I never said this was a new thing with you. I've never noticed much out of Knightro in the way of ripping fan bases. Not saying it didn't happen I just hadn't noticed it. Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem. I will admit there are a fare share of idiots out there but you'll find those same idiots from Boston all the way down to Philadelphia. It's an east coast thing. It's just much more apparent with Boston because of the Sox and Patriots success and the amount of coverage they get. Much of my posting is done tongue in cheek. I'm not a "Yankees suck" guy and I don't think I've had a whole lot to say about the Rays besides them being a thorn in our side year in and year out. All the other stuff about Dynasties, Yankees rebuilding threads and other hyperbole is just a mockery of the completely over the top fans and journalists that cover Boston sports.I'm a huge fan but I respect all of the opponents. I'm usually that guy who is on the road going to games. The locals have always got a kick out of me. And as far as Fenway goes the real fans there don't put up with over the top rude fans. They get booed and often ushered out of the park.

Every fan base has a close to equally proportional tool factor. I guess I should rephrase that. The fan base of every SUCCESSFUL team has a large tool contingent in its fan base. It's just more amplified when that team is on top. See the Patriots last year, the Colts the year before that etc because it becomes extremely grating, annoying, and obnoxious to the non fans.

 

[Capella]

Great post, fin :fistbump:

 

[DA RAIDERS]

lol, Rays folding like a cheap suit

lol it won't take us 86 years, lol

beyond weak. if you think your team is now destined to be in the hunt year in year out, you're deluding yourself. this season was a miracle one for the rays. they're a good team with the misfortune to play in the al east. come talk to me when your team makes the playoffs more than once in it's history. & it'd be nice if you could draw 20K fans a game during the season. y'all will have next year to keep this team together, if you don't make another run...firesale

This is real cute coming from the raider, laker.....and red sox fan.

:crickets:

Yea he glossed over that one.

glossed over what? what is cute about that? the raiders suck, the nba sucks(i was a big fan back in the showtime era) & the sox are up 1-0 in game 7...

 

[Finless]

C'mon Rays. I don't want to have to be Philly fan.

Then get on board with the BoSox

See, the whole Red Sox story was cute right up until they broke the Curse. Now, their fans have completely ruined it.I'm with Sofa. I won't watch a second of the World Series if it's Phillies/Red Sox, but I will hope that there is a God and I will hope that the Phillies take it so I don't have to listen to every single Red Sox fan I know rub it in my face with the historic comeback in the ALCS and how the Red Sox are a dynasty and how "gritty" the team is and blah blah blah....

The fans ruined it? C'mon. I can understand not being a fan of the team but to root against a team harder than you root for your own team is ridiculous. And I see a whole lot of that. Now take a look at the Red Sox roster. Take a look at the guys they are fielding. They should have won no more than a game or two against the Angels and same with the Rays but somehow this "gritty" team HAS got it done. They may not win this series and that's okay because it's been an incredible ALCS. In all honesty with the triple A team they're running out there it's already been a success.Now is it any coincidence most of the people who complain about Boston teams and their fans are from NY/NJ, Cleveland, San Diego, St Louis, Pittsburgh, DD's computer room and now Tampa? Call it what you want but if Boston wins tonight you can chalk up another incredible come from behind series and run to the World Series. God the fans are horrible. The same fans who were all standing and going nuts while their team was down 2 games and 7 runs in the 7th inning of an elimination game. Absolutely going crazy. The same fans that stay at the stadium for 45 minutes after a big win to cheer for the players. The same fans that have filled every seat in Fenway since May of 2003 (a year and a half before winning the series). The same fans that make road games like Tampa, Oakland and Toronto seem like home games.

Sure there's dooshy fans but I think that comes with any team that finds success. And there's also the same dooshy anti-fans who hate success. Just look at a couple of these Rays fans. Their team won a few playoff games and they're already talking about dominating the future of baseball and sizing up their World Series Champs gear.

All that said, they Rays are a monster of a team and I'm not looking forward to having to deal with them, the Yankees and a blossoming Jays team in the future.

I mostly agree with this except for unequivocally, 100%, with-every-fiber-of-my-being-I-disagree, with the bolded part. Stop making pre-excuses in case they don't win. Triple-A? I know you're big on fishing and maybe I'm "hooked". If so, so be it. But if this was a serious comment, it's patently ridiculous.

No

Bay - Just got here. The only reason he's ever made the All-Star game is because someone had to go. He's no Manny

Varitek - batting something like .180 since the break

Kotsay - overpaid utility player

Lowery - just got called up - Servicable but not spectacular

Pedroia - Stud

Ellsbury - slumping. Having an absolutely terrible series

Ortiz - He's done. Looks like he's blind out there

Lowell - Injured

Coco - Was available for trade all year. No one wanted him. Either do I

Youkilis - $3Million utility clutch underrated stud

Drew - often injured underachiever with bursts of greatness

Beckett - good for 5 innings and playing injured

Daisuke - another 5 inning walk machine who can get himself out of jams Semi-stud

Lester - Stud

Byrd -

Wakefield

Bullpen - Not so good

Papelbon - Stud

The Sox aren't exactly bustling with raw talent.

Rays

Longoria - Stud

Upton - Stud

Pena - Stud

Crawford - Stud

Starting pitching - Studs almost all of them

The Red Sox are really a shell of the team they were last year.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

HOLY JEEBUS Who could have seen this coming

Certinaly not most of you Red Sox fans here, as most of you had all but conceded in this thread by about halfway through Game 5. Granted, the series did appear over, but the Rays are pulling off one of the most epic collapses ever. I actually think this might be worse than the Yankees in '04. A 3 games to 1 lead, up 7-0 in the 7th inning of Game 5, and then you blow that game and then the series? That is as bad as it can get. Honestly, if the Rays win tonight, I will be very surprised.

incorrect. the yankee choke job series is/was/will always be the biggest comeback ever. the sox were down to their last strike, last out & came back to win 4 straight.

I'm not going to get into the debate about which would be the bigger choke. Down 3-0 and coming back to win is unprecedented, but so is down 3-1 and trailing by SEVEN in the 7th inning and coming back to win. They're both awful.I just wanted to point out your factual inaccuracies. The Sox were never even down to their last out against the Yankees, let alone their last strike.In Game 4, Kevin Millar walked to lead off the 9th against Mariano. Roberts pinch ran, stole second, and Mueller singled him home with nobody out. The Yankees never regained the lead.In Game 5, Boston tied it in the 8th inning so obviously they weren't down to their last out then either. The Yankees never regained the lead.In Games 6 and 7, the Sox jumped out to an early lead and never gave it up.

i stand corrected. they did have to go 12 & 14 innings to win game 4 & 5. & they had to tie the game in the 9th & the 8th just to get to extras.

 

[Thorn]

Just back from the game...

Jebus...Sox fans are not cool. I guess that goes without saying...

It's going to end how it should...may the best man win!

Care to elaborate on that?

The representatives of your fanbase at the Trop embarrassed you. Your group deserves every ounce of the incredibly poor reputation that you have.

Like I said. Care to elaborate on that? This is your first time in the playoffs. You are playing with the big boys now. What was so egregious that you were that offended last night?

No, this issn't the first time a TB team made the playoffs. Some of us have seen big games before. Stop being so caught up in yourself.

I've been to playoff games in all 4 major sports. I've never left the building complaining about the other teams fans after my team loss.

Adding this to my 'to do before I die' list.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Just back from the game...

Jebus...Sox fans are not cool. I guess that goes without saying...

It's going to end how it should...may the best man win!

Care to elaborate on that?

The representatives of your fanbase at the Trop embarrassed you. Your group deserves every ounce of the incredibly poor reputation that you have.

Like I said. Care to elaborate on that? This is your first time in the playoffs. You are playing with the big boys now. What was so egregious that you were that offended last night?

No, this issn't the first time a TB team made the playoffs. Some of us have seen big games before. Stop being so caught up in yourself.

I've been to playoff games in all 4 major sports. I've never left the building complaining about the other teams fans after my team loss.

Adding this to my 'to do before I die' list.

2 Super Bowls and 1 NBA Finals game. Havent made the World Series yet. Maybe this year. I'm not sure there will ever be an NHL finals in Boston again so I might not be able to cross that one off the list.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

the only one i'm missing is a stanley cup final.

 

[JZilla]

I find that TV overlay on the first base line to be extremely distracting.

 

[JZilla]

It's been interesting watching the Rays

They're still scared of the Sox, but they're so talented, they made it a series anyway

About to choke this one up though

 

[JZilla]

Wheeler doesn't like this cowbell racket

 

[JZilla]

Nice one, Coco. Sliding in safe is lame.

 

[JZilla]

Come on, noob. Do it for Cappy. He needs the i-ego boost.

 

[JZilla]

It's been interesting watching the RaysThey're still scared of the Sox, but they're so talented, they made it a series anywayAbout to choke this one up though

Showed me.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Congrats to the Rays, hope you beat the Phillies.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I thought the Rays looked scared in game 1 something I expected from them in the White Sox series, but they got a little lucky in game 2 and then they just crushed Lester in game 3. After that I think they realized they could beat this Boston team (and rightfully so) and the rest as they say...is history. I thought they would be good this year, like 85 win good but even I underestimated how far they would come even with their ace not looking so hot after the all-star break. It's a great sports story, a great baseball story, and hopefully a great story in Tampa that will carryover far into the future. Adding new fans there means less Yankees and Red Sox fans in that city and because of this team's style, probably in other places too. I was just trying to think of the last time I rooted for an AL team in the series outside of '84 and '06 and I honestly don't think I ever have. I would have made an exception this year since the Rays are about to eliminate my least favorite professional sports franchise less than two weeks after they eliminated my 2nd least favorite professional sports franchise. But Philly is a good story too and I just have to root for the that city to end their 24 year drought. But if the Rays win I certainly won't mind, they are fun to watch and I like me some Carlos "Wally Cleaver" Pena. Congrats to Cappy, Knightro our resident baseball expert, and Gump. I think besides you three I know one Rays fan, and I'm sure he's too drunk to get a call from me at the moment.

I guess this is ok now. Great game, great series.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

lol, Rays folding like a cheap suit

Does a cheap suit fold easier than an expensive suit?

 

[Ghost Rider]

Congrats to the Rays and their fans.

 

[T Bell]

Congrats to the Rays and their fans.

Great turnaround. Now that my team's done, I'm pulling for them.

 

[Sea Bass]

Good Luck against the Phills!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Really like Terry Francona, too bad he manages that franchise.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Good Luck against the Phills!

They're gonna need it.

 

[pats3in4]

Congrats Rays and their fans. That was a great game 7. Garza was awesome, but the Sox were still able to work the count and get him to 100 pitches after 6...if a guy's going to pitch a 2-hitter, at least make him work and get into that bullpen. Lester was great, just not as great as Garza. Maddon managed the bullpen superbly in those final two innings, yet the Sox still had their chance in the 8th with the bases loaded. Drew was one of the three batters I could have hoped for (Pedroia and Youk being the others) in that situation with the way he was swinging the bat recently, but just couldn't lay off that monster heater from the young lefty that missed outside. This wasn't Grady Little effing up game 7 of the 2003 ALCS; This was a great game by both teams, but the better team simply won.

Go Rays. Rooting for you in the Series

 

[Your Mother]

Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem.

Sox tickets were selling for or slightly below face value for Game 5.Boston fans are generally bandwagon jumpers. About 20 people in Boston care about the Bruins. About 30 people cared about the Celtics until this past year. Red Sox fans have been doing a good job of showing up in other people's yards and acting like ####heads (due in great part to Boston being a pretty miserable place to live) for most of this decade, but it took 3 straight losses to make "Red Sox Nation" look like the Royals fanbase. Let's not #### ourselves here: Every winning team has passionate fans.

 

[Giantseasonticketholder]

Thank you, Rays! Now just beat Philly so my Iggles fight song can stay intact!

Anyone else think Papi misses Manny?

 

[guru_007]

gg rays

gg garza

See you next year.

 

[Why Me?]

Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem.

Sox tickets were selling for or slightly below face value for Game 5.Boston fans are generally bandwagon jumpers. About 20 people in Boston care about the Bruins. About 30 people cared about the Celtics until this past year. Red Sox fans have been doing a good job of showing up in other people's yards and acting like ####heads (due in great part to Boston being a pretty miserable place to live) for most of this decade, but it took 3 straight losses to make "Red Sox Nation" look like the Royals fanbase.

Let's not #### ourselves here: Every winning team has passionate fans.

Put on your detective hat and try to figure out who the sellers were and how/why they got the tickets in the first place.

 

[Knightro]

People were literally giving away seats to last night's game if you were in the area. I've talked to a few people who had free seats from scalpers who couldn't move the seats. The Bucs taking away a huge crowd probably had a lot to do with that.

 

[Workhorse]

Major congrats to the Rays and their fans. Just a great, thrilling series.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem.

Sox tickets were selling for or slightly below face value for Game 5.Boston fans are generally bandwagon jumpers. About 20 people in Boston care about the Bruins. About 30 people cared about the Celtics until this past year. Red Sox fans have been doing a good job of showing up in other people's yards and acting like ####heads (due in great part to Boston being a pretty miserable place to live) for most of this decade, but it took 3 straight losses to make "Red Sox Nation" look like the Royals fanbase. Let's not #### ourselves here: Every winning team has passionate fans.

Have you ever even been to Boston? Greatest City in the World. Congrats to the Rays. They were the better team and will be a formidable opponent for the forseable future.

 

[Finless]

Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem.

Sox tickets were selling for or slightly below face value for Game 5.Boston fans are generally bandwagon jumpers. About 20 people in Boston care about the Bruins. About 30 people cared about the Celtics until this past year. Red Sox fans have been doing a good job of showing up in other people's yards and acting like ####heads (due in great part to Boston being a pretty miserable place to live) for most of this decade, but it took 3 straight losses to make "Red Sox Nation" look like the Royals fanbase.

Let's not #### ourselves here: Every winning team has passionate fans.

Big games like Yankees games and playoff games have tickets going for unbelievable prices. The people who end up with these tickets don't give a #### about baseball. When the walls are caving in they sell or leave early. Your ordinary Joe Red Sox fan cannot afford the tickets to these games. A regular game on a Wednesday night in June is going to cost you a C-Note for a less than mediocre seat. There's a gigantic scalper racket that takes control of probably 75% of all seats....season tickets included. That's just the way it is. The stadium holds less the 40,000 seats including standing room. Not sure that should come as much of a surprise that people were leaving. Where do you not see that happening? But in the end at the 7th inning the real fans were there, close to the field chanting their asses off down 7 runs with 3 innings to play. The place was electric and it was not empty.I was at game 4 of the ALCS in 2004. Season ticket holders (corporations/and rich folks) were ditching their seats for half price. Hundreds of field box tickets everywhere. But down 3-0 on a cold chilly night the place was still filled and remain filled until 1:20 in the morning. Not sure where you're coming from with all this information about Boston, the Red Sox and their fans but it's not very accurate.

The weather isn't great in Boston but it's got a grouping if some of the best educational institutes in America. It also has the ocean, great seafood and some pretty sweet apple orchards. It's overpriced. As far as sports go if you enjoy having competitive teams year in and year out is there a better place to live? 6 WORLD Championships in 8 years...not bad. And if teams like Oakland and San Diego were competitive maybe transplants would start to get on board.

 

[wilked]

Better team won, good series

 

[gump]

Top 2 Sports Experiences of my Life.

I can't help but think the WS will be a downer from that.

 

[Your Mother]

Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem.

Sox tickets were selling for or slightly below face value for Game 5.Boston fans are generally bandwagon jumpers. About 20 people in Boston care about the Bruins. About 30 people cared about the Celtics until this past year. Red Sox fans have been doing a good job of showing up in other people's yards and acting like ####heads (due in great part to Boston being a pretty miserable place to live) for most of this decade, but it took 3 straight losses to make "Red Sox Nation" look like the Royals fanbase. Let's not #### ourselves here: Every winning team has passionate fans.

Have you ever even been to Boston? Greatest City in the World. Congrats to the Rays. They were the better team and will be a formidable opponent for the forseable future.

At least once a year since 2002.

 

[Your Mother]

Big games like Yankees games and playoff games have tickets going for unbelievable prices. The people who end up with these tickets don't give a #### about baseball. When the walls are caving in they sell or leave early. Your ordinary Joe Red Sox fan cannot afford the tickets to these games. A regular game on a Wednesday night in June is going to cost you a C-Note for a less than mediocre seat. There's a gigantic scalper racket that takes control of probably 75% of all seats....season tickets included. That's just the way it is. The stadium holds less the 40,000 seats including standing room. Not sure that should come as much of a surprise that people were leaving. Where do you not see that happening?

This is my point. Red Sox fans are no different from a lot of other teams' fanbases: There is a group of diehards, and then a larger group of people who show up when it's convenient, but the group of diehards isn't disproportionately bigger compared to a lot of other teams. How many Celtics games did you watch all the way through in 2006-2007?

The place was electric

I was at game 4 of the ALCS in 2004. Season ticket holders (corporations/and rich folks) were ditching their seats for half price. Hundreds of field box tickets everywhere. But down 3-0 on a cold chilly night the place was still filled and remain filled until 1:20 in the morning. Not sure where you're coming from with all this information about Boston, the Red Sox and their fans but it's not very accurate.

Fenway didn't sell out that night. The season ticket holders' tickets already count as a sold ticket, so about 300 tix went unsold. Seems like a lot of people threw in the towel, no? http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2004_ALCS.shtml

The weather isn't great in Boston but it's got a grouping if some of the best educational institutes in America.

This sentence contains a grammatical error.

It also has the ocean

I guess this is technically true.

great seafood and some pretty sweet apple orchards. It's overpriced. As far as sports go if you enjoy having competitive teams year in and year out is there a better place to live? 6 WORLD Championships in 8 years...not bad.

It's almost midnight for the Celtics. The Patriots are a ?, and the Red Sox aren't even a lock to make the playoffs next year, given that NYY will likely reload. And despite all of Boston's supposed qualities (you forgot the ####ty traffic and the racism, btw), you don't live there. Can't blame you either, I'd much prefer Denver.

And if teams like Oakland and San Diego were competitive maybe transplants would start to get on board.

Oakland and San Diego don't have the budget that Boston does. The number of competitive low-payroll teams that can exist is finite and very small.

 

[Finless]

The tickets sold out before the game. I got through at 5:00 the day they went on sale and they had 3 tickets left...two obstructed seats and one right field box. Not sure if they held any back (which they don't tend to do) but 300 seats out of 40,000 is less than 1%.

Lets look at it for what it was. 2004 was supposed to be the year. They drop 2 games to the Yanks and get blown out at home in game 3. Not exactly a promising situation to be in. Now take someone like myself...an alleged bandwagon fan. I drove all the way from Montreal to go to the game. As far as I could tell the place was jammed.

Now lets look at Boston from a sports perspective. The Patriots were in the midst of building a Dynasty and steamrolling the competition but still took a back seat to the Sox. That's just the way it is. And this was going on before 2004. So if Sox fans are just bandwagoners why weren't they on the Pats bandwagon? Boston will always be a baseball town.

And I said competitive teams not Championship teams. It's a safe assumption the Sox and Pats will remain competitive.

And the place was electric!

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem.

Sox tickets were selling for or slightly below face value for Game 5.Boston fans are generally bandwagon jumpers. About 20 people in Boston care about the Bruins. About 30 people cared about the Celtics until this past year. Red Sox fans have been doing a good job of showing up in other people's yards and acting like ####heads (due in great part to Boston being a pretty miserable place to live) for most of this decade, but it took 3 straight losses to make "Red Sox Nation" look like the Royals fanbase. Let's not #### ourselves here: Every winning team has passionate fans.

Have you ever even been to Boston? Greatest City in the World.

 

[Michael Brown]

Boston is passionate about it's baseball team. I don't see that as much of a problem.

Sox tickets were selling for or slightly below face value for Game 5.Boston fans are generally bandwagon jumpers. About 20 people in Boston care about the Bruins. About 30 people cared about the Celtics until this past year. Red Sox fans have been doing a good job of showing up in other people's yards and acting like ####heads (due in great part to Boston being a pretty miserable place to live) for most of this decade, but it took 3 straight losses to make "Red Sox Nation" look like the Royals fanbase.

Let's not #### ourselves here: Every winning team has passionate fans.

Have you ever even been to Boston? Greatest City in the World.

Well, it is capitalized. I think that makes it official.