The .300 Hitter: The weeklong hangover

By Parker Swenson

In defense of New England sports, their up-and-down history, and the fans holding on for the ride.

This past week has taught me that there is no comparison to being raised a sports fan in New England.

Now, before everyone launches into an anti-Patriots, anti-Northeast and/or anti-Boston diatribe, take a moment to think about Boston's evolution over the past three decades. From the 1980s to current day, it's been a complete 180 for the city's athletic fortunes. 

For those of us born in the '80s, the rollercoaster ride never quite reached the top. All throughout the '80s and '90s, New England fans got nothing out of their emotional investment other than the sudden-- yet familiar-- pain each time another season was choked away. Imagine taking a date to a five-star restaurant and working up the courage all night to make a move at the doorstep, only to find that you were just “friend zone” material all along. Then imagine doing that all over again with another girl. And another girl. And another. Rinse, relapse, and repeat. 

If this sounds a lot like the "We're so tortured" mantra that New England is mocked for, you're on the right track. But the now-tiresome refrain is rooted in the reality of the '80s and '90s. The Red Sox made the playoffs six times in 20 years, but all anyone had to say is "Buckner," and people cringed. The Patriots were a step better, making seven playoff appearances but losing in their only two Super Bowl appearances. The Celtics won three championships in the early '80s, but without Larry Bird to carry them, they soon faded into obscurity. The Bruins made the playoffs 18 of 20 seasons, and never managed to raise Lord Stanley’s Cup. 

But New England post Y2K? A new place, rejuvenated with a flood of talent across the teams. The Celtics drafted perennial All-Star Paul Pierce in ’98. The Patriots infamously took Tom Brady in 2000. David Ortiz signed with the Red Sox in 2003. For New England kids, these were the new idols, the ones that delivered an unparalleled amount of trophies. 

After 15 years, or 60 combined seasons without a title, this was the golden age. The Patriots won in ’01, ’03, and ’04. The Red Sox broke the broke the curse and won in ’04 and ’07. The Celtics, with the newly formed Big Three, won in ’07. Even the Bruins got in on the action, raising the Stanley Cup in 2011. Seven Championships in 11 years. 

The turnaround predictably changed New England's fans. Their defeatist attitude morphed into a confident swagger, and then into brash cockiness. Poor Boston became obnoxious Bahhston, and Bahhston became the enemy. We rejoiced in that newfound role, knowing that it meant the next win was just around the corner.

And the best part about it? It was just around every single corner. The playoffs were a near certainty for each team. We were not only winning, but winning everything. 

Until we weren’t. The Red Sox turned fragile, and then fell apart. The Celtics are just plain old. The Patriots are haunted by Spygate, and aren’t the same team they were early in the century. Only the Bruins, the least visible of the four, are primed for a continued run of success. 

It’s a far fall from the top. Watching the Patriots struggle in big games brings back ugly memories. Watching the “Big Three” turn geriatric hurts. Watching the Sox bend and break is an all-too-familiar sight. But the struggles have a good way of correcting the fan base. Every person that yells “Wes Welker oughta be cut and nevah play another down with the Patriots,” means there’s one less person on the bandwagon. Every Red Sox loss makes it less trendy and hip to wear a pink Ortiz jersey. 

Yet for all the “tough” (and that's a very relative term) times that have befallen New England over the past few seasons, it’s highly unlikely that any of the region's teams will endure another decades-long debacle. Money is not an issue, and neither is lack of talent or leadership. Though key retirements loom, each team will have the opportunity to reload. 

Boston might never again collect silver like it did in the 2000s, but we’re not going anywhere just yet. See you next season.

The Week Ahead (all times EST)- Your guide to what to watch-- and what to watch for-- this coming week

College Basketball
Virginia Tech at Florida St.- Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Maryland at Virginia- Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. (ESPN3)
Saint Mary's at Murray St.- Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Yale at Harvard- Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.
Ohio St. at Michigan- Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Syracuse at Rutgers- Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. (ESPN)

NBA
Linsanity at Raptors- Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. (MSG/TSN)
76ers at Magic- Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. (Comcast/Sun Sports)
Kings at Linsanity- Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. (Comcast Sports Sacramento/MSG)
Celtics at Bulls- Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. (TNT)
Hornets at Linsanity- Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Spurs at Clippers- Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m. (FOX SW/FSN Prime Ticket)
NHL
Sharks at Capitals- Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
Rangers at Bruins- Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. (MSG/NESN)
Blackhawks at Predators- Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. (CSNC/FXSM)
Predators at Red Wings- Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. (FXSM/FSD+)
Peguins at Flyers- Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. (NHLNET)
Blues at Blackhawks- Feb. 19 at 12:30 p.m. (NBC)
NASCAR
Budweiser Shootout- Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. (FOX)

In the Kitchen- Tracking the major hot stove stories

• The Pittsburgh Steelers will release longtime wide receiver Hines Ward, according to the NFL Network. Ward is a legend in Pittsburgh, lauded for his consistency and willingness to take-- and dish out-- big hits. But he lost his starting job this year and is due $4 million next year, an amount the Steelers are unwilling to commit to the 36 year old.  
• The search for a defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay continues, after the San Francisco 49ers prevented DB coach Ed Donatell from speaking with the Bucs. Head Coach Greg Schiano has been trying to fill out his staff since his appointment, but has hit numerous road blocks so far. 
• The Miami Marlins' spending spree continued this past week when they offered Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes as much as $40 million. The offer was expected, as the Marlins in the past said they will be "aggressive right up to the point stupidity" in pursuing the highly touted outfielder. Cespedes reportedly does not have any current plans to meet with other teams.
• Much-maligned Yankees right hander A.J. Burnett is on the block, where four teams have expressed interest. The frontrunner is the Pittsburgh Pirates, who would send New York a bunch of minor leaguers in return. To make the deal work, the Yankees will have to pay up to $23 million of Burnett's $33 million contract, but would be able to sign Eric Chavez with the money left over.
• Free agent Magglio Ordonez is purchasing shares in a Venezuelan winter-league baseball team, where he will have a place to play if he's not picked up by a Major League team. Ordonez is listed as an active player on the Caribes de Anzoategui roster, so he will have to retire before becoming part of management. However, he is already involved in the team's personnel decisions and recruiting.

Web Gems- The week's best, worst or strangest Internet sports finds

Bengals LB Maualuga charged with assault in Ohio- The latest Cincinnati Bengals player to find himself on the wrong side of the law

The NBA is missing its shots in China- Once the centerpiece of the NBA's international expansion plans, China's enthusiasm for the league is waning, and its relationship with the NBA has become strained

Before the Olympic trials, there's this big high school meet- One of the first in what will surely be many profiles on USA Swimming's next great hope

Manning face- Incorporating the Manning face into every NFL logo

Will Ferrell introduces the lineups for the Bulls and Hornets on '80s night

Coming Up- What's next at Began in '96

• Tuesday: Joe Schackman on what we can take away from Tiger Woods' latest performance.
• Thursday: Major League Baseball brimmed with future Hall of Fame shortstops for much of the late '90s and early 2000s. Now, there are few remnants left from that golden age, Joe Schackman says.
• Friday: Jeremy Lin, the Knicks, and what it takes to light up the Garden, by Adam Cancryn.