One thing about the Red Sox brand - and the intensity of the fan base - is that it's totally changed from where it was when I started watching in 1977.
In 2004, we had been in the desert for 86 years, had an inferiority complex about the Yankees, and had to endure taunts from Yankee fans pretty much constantly.
It changed in 2004, obviously, but winning in 2007 proved it wasn't some kind of a fluke. And then again in 2013 and again in 2018. That whole mentality was killed, dead (or should have been).
It's compelling to be ride or die for a team when there's something to prove that feels personal to you as a fan. It's one reason why that Bane quote is so apt, and it feels like Werner and Henry don't realize what's happened. They're like those Japanese soldiers still fighting WW2 in the 70s.
It's over guys, you need a better plan. You can't take fans for granted anymore.
In 2004, we had been in the desert for 86 years, had an inferiority complex about the Yankees, and had to endure taunts from Yankee fans pretty much constantly.
It changed in 2004, obviously, but winning in 2007 proved it wasn't some kind of a fluke. And then again in 2013 and again in 2018. That whole mentality was killed, dead (or should have been).
It's compelling to be ride or die for a team when there's something to prove that feels personal to you as a fan. It's one reason why that Bane quote is so apt, and it feels like Werner and Henry don't realize what's happened. They're like those Japanese soldiers still fighting WW2 in the 70s.
It's over guys, you need a better plan. You can't take fans for granted anymore.