Shortly after watching the Celtics finish off an eight game win streak (which has now been extended to ten) last Tuesday night, I saw a newsflash run across the bottom of the TV screen stating that Carl Crawford agreed to sign with the Boston Red Sox. After the initial shock and excitement wore off, I remember thinking in my blissful frame of mind, “What an amazing time to be a Boston sports fan!”
Frantically rummaging through my desk drawers, I scrambled to find a pad of paper and pen to scratch out a preliminary lineup card for Terry Francona. The list of players at his disposal is astounding. Easily one of the most dynamic, exciting and talented players in the entire major leagues, Crawford will join a star-studded lineup that has to be considered as the most formidable and dangerous offensive attack in the game. This report came just a few days after the news that Theo Epstein had corralled Adrian Gonzalez in a trade with the San Diego Padres. Gonzalez is considered by many to be the best young first baseman both offensively and defensively. Provided that the Sox can avoid the health pitfalls that doomed them last year, there seems to be an overwhelming opinion that they will bear the label of “the team to be beat” heading into next season.
Possessing the best record in the Eastern Conference at 18-4, the Celtics have put together an impressive ten game win streak and are deserved of just as much championship talk and expectation. Consider the Celtics last two wins. Both came on the road, which is difficult to do no matter who the competition. They were also minus their top three options at the center position. Kendric Perkins (who has been out all year recovering from knee surgery), Jermaine O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal were all nursing various injuries, aches and pains. Yet, they managed to grind out two important road games on back-to-back nights, something that has proved challenging for an older, veteran team such as the Celtics. These sorts of signs are proof that the championship aspirations associated with this squad are definitely legitimate.
Continuing the championship quality team theme, the Boston Bruins are experiencing some success in the early stages of the season, led by the stellar goal tending of Tim Thomas, who boasts an incredible 14-3-2 record, allowing a meager 1.51 goals per game, and posting a ridiculous .954 save percentage. Both of those statistics rank #1 in the NHL collecting five shutouts along the way, most in the league, and establishing himself as the early favorite to bring home the Vezina Trophy, an award he won in 2009. Barring a monumental collapse in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Bruins would’ve competed in the Stanley Cup Finals rather than the Philadelphia Flyers. Seemingly motivated by the huge disappointment of giving up that 3-0 games lead, they appear poised to make another deep push into the playoffs and avenge that heartbreaking defeat.
Well, another week, another win and it wouldn’t be a complete conversation without including the perennial championship contenders of the NFL, the New England Patriots. They also find themselves as a team in possession of the best record in the league (11-2). Ever since Bill Belichick and Tom Brady united to form one of the most successful coach/quarterback combinations of all time, the Patriots are in the discussion every year as possible world champions. As if the Patriots needed to make any other statements, their assault in the snow of the Chicago Bears cleared any doubts remaining in the minds of people questioning their stature as the top team in the NFL.
Despite the limited visibility on Sunday, The Patriots message could not have been more clear: “We’re on a snow-blown path to our fourth Lombardi Trophy, and not even Mother Nature can stop us!” Santa himself could not have guided his trusty sleigh through that blizzard better than the way Tom Brady guided that Patriots’ offense up and down the field. It was a complete thrashing in every possible facet of the game and another impressive step towards clinching the best record and the highly coveted home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
For New England sports fans, this universal success is not an entirely new concept. Think back not too long ago to the 2007-2008 season. During that time period the Red Sox blazed through their opponents and claimed their second World Championship in four years. The Celtics regained their championship form after assembling their version of the “Big 3,” spelling a 22 year drought without hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy. And, after an unprecedented 18-0 start to the NFL season, if the Patriots could have somehow avoided a desperate Hail Mary pass and catch from Eli Manning to David Tyree, then they would have also been crowned champions of their respective league, which would have been their fourth in 7 seasons.
Let’s also not forget that this was not always the way it was for the New England area. We’ve almost become spoiled at this point. Fans of my age may not ever fully understand the great despair that regularly accompanied Boston sports fans far before our time, particularly with the Red Sox and Patriots. It’s important to have some sort of historical perspective so we don’t lose sight of how fortunate we, as sports fans, are during these times of unmitigated success. Like everything, these types of things are cyclical. So, cherish these moments and do not take them for granted, for it won’t be too long before we’ll be recalling them to help pull us through the great depths of depression only a true sports fan can understand.
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