Behind Ememy Lines

Behind Enemy Lines on Opening Day

Excitement fills the air in each of the 30 hometowns of baseball it encompasses across America on opening day. Fans everywhere want to believe that their beloved team has as much of a chance at winning the World Series as everyone else. Red Sox Nation waits with baited breathe, knowing that Schilling will make his way to the mound as the first starter in a rotation that seems beyond our wildest dreams.

New York City is the last place in the world most members of Red Sox Nation ever want to be on opening day, but when you live here, you have little choice. The drama begins with neighbors and coworkers explaining “Of course you’ll win. You’re playing Kansas City and your payroll is almost as high as the 26 time champion New York Yankees”. It sickens me to listen to them gloat that we can spend almost as much and still not be as good as them. In contrast to the league it is true, but the Yankees and their Cashman spend almost a hundred million more.

A friend sent me a t-shirt with the new Red Sox logo “What’s not to love?” so this morning I put it on with great anticipation. I thought about what to wear, how the season would unfold, what a strong line up we have, and how sweet it will be if I can walk the streets of Manhattan with a 2007 Championship hat. Opening day air had come with some abundance in my apartment.

I decided to watch the game at a new bar dedicated to Red Sox fans in New York, Professor Thom’s. I called a friend and asked him if he would go with me (a lady walking alone into a sports bar could be a scary thing in this city). Before I walked outside to meet him I couldn’t help but see how the Yankees were doing. Two at bats after I turned on the game, the Devil Rays managed to tie it up. I shut the TV off and was glowing as I bounced down Madison Ave to meet a friend.

Inside his company’s lobby a man shook his head with a resounding no at my Red Sox jacket and told me I should be happy now, because it’s not gonna last. I asked him if he was a Yankee fan and he said yes, but they are losing to the Devil Rays. He was right. At that point my cell phone confirmed the Devil Rays had taken the lead. This could clearly be an opening day to remember. They lose to the Rays then Schill takes the mound, ahh. Life is sweet. My friend finally came down to meet me and reminded me that we need to get to this bar early for good seats. Professor Thom’s was packed with all things Boston, and lots of empty seats. I didn’t care. The Red Sox were about to start the season and the Yankees were losing. The bartender, Jim, was nice enough to have everyone move down a few seats at the bar so I could sit next to my friend.

I couldn’t believe the Yankees game even though it was unfolding in front of me. Kazmir has been their star and he’s giving up hits to the Yankees. Before I knew it, A Rod hit his home run and the game was put away. Suddenly I realized we’re already a half game behind. By the time the Red Sox game started Professor Thom’s was packed. The sea of red shirts and strangers giving high fives and smiles to one another was comforting to me. It marked the first time Red Sox Nation gathered in such strong numbers in the middle of Manhattan.

If you watched the Red Sox game, you know what happened. The only question they didn’t ask is why is Schilling now the size of David Wells? The walk home was brutal. Three quarters of the walk was with my friend who seemed to ignore the laughs at my Red Sox jacket and glares of satisfaction from Yankee fans. They seemed to love the Red Sox falling apart much more than seeing the Yankees come from behind to win.

During the last stretch home to my apartment I began to realize that New York City takes baseball much less seriously than we do in Boston. I passed people waiting in line for plays, heading to dinners, taking pictures of tall buildings. None of these people seem to even notice that the Yankees played baseball today.

I allowed myself to feel good; thinking that baseball might not be all there is in life. Then a man in a Yankees hat approached me and asked if I was married. As soon as I said no he laughed as loud as he could and told me “With that team, no wonder you’re not married”. Then he walked away.

Red Sox fans are worlds apart from Yankee fans. Many of us, at one point or another, were the underdogs. All of us have hopes of beating out those who begin in better spaces, those who ‘look better on paper’. At our core, we as Red Sox fans, know about pulling together, supporting each other, and therein we create a true sense of unity.

Tomorrow both the Red Sox and the Yankees have the day off. I dread the comments I am sure to get from friends and neighbors. They never say a word when the Red Sox win, but always seem to point out games where we fall behind and ultimately lose.

As you spend your next few days wallowing in the loss that we as a Nation suffered on this 2007 opening day, remind yourself that we are in this together. Even in the heart of Manhattan, there are fellow Red Sox fans who are rooting for the under dogs to outpace the ‘good on paper’ teams (and people) of the world.

Written by Diane Garnick