RED
SOX
OR PATRIOTS:
Which Team
Really Rules Beantown
Can history and tradition trump two Super Bowl victories?
by Christine Celli and Scott Roberto
Bay Staters love sports so much we
follow every local team regardless of how well they’re doing. But
when it comes to the Patriots and the Red Sox, the bar is raised
towards total obsession. But which fans are more rabid? Last year
Sox fans were featured in the documentary Still We Believe and are
the subject of an upcoming feature film, Fever Pitch. On the other
hand, rallies held after the 2002 and 2004 Super Bowl wins by the
Patriots attracted more people to the Hub than even the Pope. But
who has the upper hand in locals’ hearts? Here’s a look at the facts
to help you decide.
|
THE BOSTON RED SOX |
THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS |
- THE
CURSE: Forget about
it. Fan loyalty has only grown stronger after 86 years of
waiting for a World Series win.
-
 THE
PLAYERS: Nomar Garciaparra may be gone, but the
players that remain—from the hefty bats of Manny Ramirez and
David Ortiz, to the one-two punch of pitchers Curt Schilling
and Pedro Martinez—blend hard work, fun and crazy hair
styles, to boot.
- THE
OWNERS: Popular opinion says that John Henry and
his group of fellow owners have vastly improved both the
team and the park. Is a championship next?
- THE
STADIUM: Fenway Park is the oldest and most
storied ballpark in the majors, not to mention the smallest.
But we like it that way.
- THE
FANS: Sox fans are everywhere you look these
days, even numbering in the thousands at opposing teams’
ballparks.
- THE
TRADITION: Since 1901, New Englanders have been
raised as Red Sox fans and spend the entire year obsessing
about the team.
|
- THE
STREAK: The Pats currently boast a record 18-game
(and counting, as of this printing) winning streak, going
back to September of last year.
- THE
PLAYERS: Playmakers like quarterback Tom Brady,
linebacker Tedy Bruschi, defensive end Richard Seymour and
kicker Adam Vinatieri (pictured below) are not only great
performers on the field, but quality, likeable individuals
off it.
- THE
OWNER: Speaking of which, owner Robert Kraft has
kept the team here through thick and thin, reviving a
once-moribund franchise.
 THE
STADIUM: Gillette Stadium, built with Kraft’s own
money, is a state-of-the-art facility worthy of a
championship team and its fans.
- THE
FANS: Who but Pats fans would paint their heads
silver and go shirtless in 20 degree weather? Alcohol-fueled
or not, you have to admire that kind of dedication.
- THE
CHAMPIONSHIPS: This might say it all: Two Super
Bowl victories in the past three years. That tends to win
over the hearts and minds of a lot fans.
|
|
