May 30, 2007
The Red Sox Must Really be Good
I don't believe I've ever read such an optimistic column about the Red Sox in the Globe, especially from Dan Shaughnessy.
Could life be any better?
We suddenly have a San Diego weather mass over our region. The tunnels are open again and you can get where you are going in no time. The Patriots have a chance to go 16-0 and it feels like we all might win the lottery. Next thing you know, some dietician will discover that hot fudge sundaes cause you to lose weight. You'll be able to drink water from the Charles, all college tuition will be free, and the Celtics will experience good luck.
These are heady days over on Yawkey Way, and the return of Beckett is just one more brick in the wall of wonder that is the 2007 Red Sox season.
Normally, I would take this column as a sign that the Red Sox were about to go on an extended losing streak. Dan writing this glowingly reminds me of the DotCom Bubble. Once everyone thinks the market is going up, it's time to sell. But I tend to share his optimism, mostly because the offense isn't hitting on all cylinders yet. When Manny and Drew start hitting, I expect the team to get better.
Update: Lyflines disagrees with my last statement. I think his Drew/Youkilis comparison is a bit moot, since Drew was playing in a much different ballpark last season.
He did the same thing last year. He said we could mark it down, that the Sox were going to win the division. I think he does it so he can blame the team if they don't win, and chide the fans for being foolishly optimistic. That seems to be his pattern, anyway.
That was actually 2005 when Dan-o declared the Sox would win the division. He was almost right.
The thing with Shaughnessy is that, even when he's positive like in this column, it still comes across as veiled snark or sarcasm. Don't even get me started on his hypocrisy; for instance, at the end of 2005, he loved Josh Beckett, last year hated him and (surprise!) this year loves him again. And that's just one example of many.
Shaughnessy is an insufferable jerk.
CHB is a terrible writer and a terrible guy, from all accounts.
And his prediction for the Celts seems to be a longshot...as Simmons said, Ainge could talk himself into drafting Yi Jianlian with the 5th pick. Wailing and gnashing of teeth to follow.
