Sports Nut: Red Sox Indignation

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Sports Nut Red Sox Indignation Why Red Sox fans will continue to be as annoying as ever. By Michael Newman Posted Thursday, Sep 29, 2011, at 10:59 PM ET Also in Slate: Brian Palmer consults hex experts to see if the Curse of the Bambino has returned. Being a Red Sox fan is all about superlatives. This is what makes us so annoying. Before the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004—in a postseason that included the Greatest Comeback Ever—we were the Most Deeply Suffering Fans, enduring losses in the Greatest Game Ever Played and the Third Greatest Game Ever Played. We are all taught at an early age about the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, and our home field is America's Most Beloved Ballpark despite its reputation as having the Most Uncomfortable Seats. So it's only natural that Thursday morning's 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, which knocked the Red Sox out of the playoffs, was the Greatest Choke in Baseball History, the culmination of the Worst September Collapse Ever. But here's the thing (and here is where I will uphold the reputation of Red Sox fandom): None of these claims is hyperbole. The Red Sox really have lost a lot of momentous games in uniquely painful fashion. Ted Williams really was the best hitter of his lifetime. Fenway Park is unparalleled in its greatness (and its seats really are narrow). And Red Sox fans will continue to be annoying, not despite this season's epic collapse but because of it. I witnessed this epicness firsthand Wednesday and early Thursday morning, so allow me to dwell on it for a moment ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Is the Curse of the Bambino Back? What's Your Number? Still Waiting for Superman	Advertisement
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