The Pink Hats
| 18
|
by B-rye
Remember a few years ago when the Red Sox would go on the road, all they had was a small, but spirited smattering of fans in the park, completely reasonable since people move all the time. Now it seems that every park they go to, theres "people" dressed head to toe in their brand new Red Sox gear. Who are these "people" and where do they come from?? I put people in quotes because I hate bandwagon riding fans more than just about anything on this planet. They do not deserve to be treated like human beings.
It used to be OK to root for the Red Sox, after all, they were the arch rival of the Evil Empire, the team we all hated because of their elitist attitude, their through the roof payroll, being jammed down our throats by FOX and ESPN, and yes, their bandwagon fans. Suddenly 2004 hit, the Sox got lucky, Yankees collapsed, however you want to look at it (probably a little of both). Not long after that, the number of people I'd see around with Red Sox hats grew exponentially, and the funny thing was, they all looked brand new.
In the process, the Red Sox have become everything people hate about the Yankees. An bloated payroll ($195 mil to $143 mil). An elitist attitude (about what exactly, at least the Yankees have something other than a fluke to back up their talk). Now both teams are jammed down our throats (OMG, Roger Clemens is pitching in A ball, that must be more important than a game involving two MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS.) And the bandwagon fans.
I've always believed people who jump on board with teams like the Yankees are people who are very insecure and don't have much going for them, thus they jump on board with a team that can make them feel superior at times (only when its convenient for them). Red Sox "fans" are the ones who share these same characteristics, only don't want to be seen as such, just figuring they'll get a free pass by going up against the Yankees.
Nobody likes you pink hat wearing Red Sox fan, not even your " fellow fans."
That being said, I've been a Red Sox fan longer than I can remember (this is literally true). I used to go to Fenway 15 to 25 times a year, always going to Opening Day and the first Yankee series of the year. I remember when Fenway would be 1/4 empty for April night games against Toronto. I remember one particular game, it was 30 degrees out with a 35 mph wind, I had bleacher tickets, row 50 (the last row). One of the best games I've ever been to, but only 20,000 others were there. This was 2003, not that long ago. But the pink hats have taken over Fenway. In New England, it's now considered "cool" to be a "fan" and go to Fenway once a year, get wasted, and not pay attention to the game. I went to a game earlier this year. Justin Verlander absolutely owned us, and when he was pulled, I stood and applauded his brilliant pitching performance because I'm a baseball fan. I looked around at dozens of confused and dirty looks. People just didn't get it.
And although his hat isn't pink, here is the true President of the new Red Sox Nation: