Chapter 20.1: Boston Grows Up

I read a story in today's (10/22/04) New York Times that included a description of the Red Sox as the "little brother" of the Yankees. After an experience I had yesterday, I think that's a fair characterization.

I must offer this caveat in the interest of full disclosure: I am a Mets fan, always have been and I suspect I always will be. I wore my Red Sox cap yesterday as I have been throughout the series between the two arch rivals. It's more an "anti-Yankees" hat than a reflection of my devotion to the Bean Town Nine.

Yesterday I walked into a pizza place to get a slice, wearing my Sox cap. Initially, I got a few comments from the guys behind the counter and some stares from other customers. (One guy behind the counter said, "You're wearing that hat in here?") Soon, however, the pizza guys gave me respect. They quickly showed their true baseball grit by congratulating the Red Sox. They knew their team had been beaten, and it had happened on their field.

I thanked them and waited for my slice to emerge from the oven. When it was ready and I was paying for it, one of the pizza guys said, "In all seriousness, is the curse just about beating the Yankees or winning the World Series?"

"The World Series," I said.

He thanked me and said, "Good luck. I hope you win it." And I felt he was sincere.

For the first time since I was a kid hating to watch my Mets finish in last place -- not even having a shot at contending when they moved north from spring training -- I kept my true allegiance a secret. In fact, maybe it's the first time ever, because I never really hid my being a Mets fan from anyone. But I didn't say it in the pizza place. I knew the respect they were showing there was sincere, and my insincerity of wearing a Red Sox cap that I didn't truly deserve would have been an insult. I didn't want to disrespect them; they deserved better.

Yankee fans, the ones I've talked to in the 36 hours, have been respectful of the Red Sox. It's like the little brother has grown up and gotten a place of his own. My estimation of the true Yankee fan has been raised.

Perhaps the Mets were above the Red Sox before, but now they've fallen behind. The Mets lost in the World Series four years ago. The Yankees -- particularly Derek Jeter -- were respectful and classy and honored their fallen opponent. Now the Yankees have fallen. And by virtue of the Red Sox victory, the Mets seem to have been relegated to third place in New York.

I'm ready for the comments now. I'm a Mets fan. I'm rooting for the Red Sox, but the Yankees ... Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Mo Rivera, Jorge Posada, Bernie, Matsui, Mussina ... you guys are professionals. I tip my Mets cap to you.

Chapter 20: Ya Gotta Believe!

It's hard to believe, but the Red Sox beat the Yankees. I'm thrilled at the prospect of seeing them become World Champions, especially since it doesn't come at the Mets' expense.

If the Astros win the National League tonight, then we have Kerry's home state vs. Bush's home state. Personally I'd rather see the Cardinals win the NL, because I think they're a better club. Plus, the Red Sox have lost two of their previous four World Series appearances since 1918 to the Cardinals (1946 and 1967). Why not wipe out two curses at once...

I won't make any predictions about who will win yet, but I have to believe it'll be an exciting series. Even if the NL team took a 3-0 lead in games, this Red Sox club can't be counted out.

So, will Bruce Hurst throw out the first ball at one of the games this weekend? (For the uninitiated, he was going to be the MVP of the 1986 World Series until Bob Stanley's wild pitch and Bill Buckner's error changed everything.)

Chapter 19.7: American Fool

Caught John Mellencamp on Letterman last night. I've been out of the loop when it comes to his recent music. But back in the late '80s and early '90s, he was the quintessential American pop songwriter in my mind -- even moreso than Bruce Springsteen. His voice came from middle-America, his values seemed to be those of the people of the soil. And with the jangle of mandolin, the sweet lacing of fiddle strings, and a jumpy accordian part or two, a song by John (don't call me Cougar) Mellencamp was immediately identifiable and often memorable.

Last night, the sound was still there. But who the hell was the guy in the zoot suit? How much jell did he have slicking back his hundred-dollar haircut? Did I miss the episode of Queer Eye when they made over Mellencamp? When did he become John Cougar Metrosexual?

I realize he's getting older, but Mellencamp looked like a cross between Wayne Newton, Don Henley and a light bulb. This is the man who sang "Rain on the Scarecrow"?

In the music world, image often is everything. Good luck in Vegas, Mr. Mellencamp. It was nice knowing you.

Chapter 19.6: Gay Rights For Fish?

According to a story in The Washington Post today (10/15/04), several male smallmouth bass were discovered to have developed eggs. They're being called "intersex" bass, but it's not clear whether they're capable of reproducing as males or as quasi-females. [I'm not linking the story since it'll be sent into the Post's archives within a few days and thus is a waste of time.]

The chief questions revolve around how the fish were altered -- was it pollution, hormones in the Potomac River, other causes -- but I wonder if it might signal something more profound. Could all life be capable of being sexually altered as a consequence of man's careless actions upon the environment? If so, and if played out on a major scale, how would that affect the social, political, cultural, and spiritual environment?

Gotta read the news every day ...