The Curse Within
By John Bonini
Put all 26 rings aside, even the 39 pennants that can probably engulf the green monster if spread across it. Look no further than the attitude and mindset of the boys from Beantown and it’s evident why their history pales in comparison to the Yankees.
For about 80 years, Red Sox fans have been tortured with the notion of a “curse.” Not just any curse, one of a boisterous man who is looking down, brew in one hand and perhaps a magic wand in the other, almost as if he’s playing with the Red Sox like a bunch of dolls, toying with them every time they get ever so close. Yup, you guessed it, the curse of the Bambino. The standard for every power hitter in the game, he’s nothing short of a Greek god in the Bronx. But to be frank, I think this curse lies within. Underneath those blue caps with the embroidered “B’ on the caps.
The Red Sox are completely satisfied with being number two, and why not? They’ve spent countless years trying to be rated as anything. This was evident last fall around this time, when the Red Sox were running around Fenway Park popping bubbly like and partying like it was 1918.
There’s something to say about pride here. Who wants to be second best when you can be the best? Who wants McDonald’s when you can have the Outback Steakhouse? Because there’s a certain pride and feeling of accomplishment when you can say you’re number one. Derek Jeter recently told media the Yankees would not be satisfied with a wild card birth. Spoiled? Absolutely, only because for years the Yankees have settled for nothing less than the top. They haven’t always succeeded, but they never settled. After losing the World Series in 2003, the Yankees were vindicated by the fact they made it that far; they looked at it as a failure they couldn’t finish it off. This is why George Steinbrenner runs a tight ship, and settles for nothing but the best from his players, because of pride. The boss is a man with pride running through his veins, and having the history and tradition the Yankees do, its hard not to.
Watching Manny and Cabrera laughing it up as Pedro was KO’d in the fifth inning Sunday, it was almost as if you could read their minds. ‘At least we'll still make it to the playoffs.’ Apparently, that’s not enough.
The Red Sox satisfaction with being second best and the Yankees drive to be the best is clearly what separates these teams. The curse is a mind set in all those who wear the Red Sox uniform, satisfying for any way they can sneak in. Nothing is taken seriously with the Bo-Sox, making t-shirts and having a rally after clinching a playoff spot seems to be more important that concentrating at the task ahead. This is why the Red Sox haven’t won in 80 years, this is why the Red Sox melt anytime they come close to the Yankees, and this is why the Red Sox cannot beat the Yankees in a big spot, ever. The drive is not lacking, and there’s no pride taken in trying to be the best. While the Red Sox are busy thinking of new slogans for their next playoff series, the Yankees will be busy winning theirs.
