An open letter to the Boston Red Sox from a fan

After dropping the second game of the American League Division Series, the Boston Red Sox now find themselves down two games to none. It’s time to start putting up a fight.

Dear Boston Red Sox, I write to you today on behalf of Red Sox fans everywhere. It’s no secret that things have gotten off to a rough start in the 2017 ALDS. The Houston Astros are a very good baseball team, and they’ve gotten the better of you in the past two games. I don’t need to tell you that.

If you look at any social media platform (which I would advise against), you’ll see harsh criticisms and calls for trades and firings. I have not read one positive article, tweet, or word about games 1 and 2. Don’t let things like this discourage you.

Us Boston fans? We give tough love. You know that better than anyone. I’m guilty of cursing our pitchers for hanging pitches. I yell at the TV when Jose Altuve hits like Pablo Sanchez from Backyard Baseball. But this criticism all comes from a place of love and admiration.

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What this stems from is our expectations of you. We hold the Red Sox to such a high standard because we know what you’re capable of. We know that we shouldn’t get spanked in October. We’re trying to ignite a fire beneath you that will carry us through the playoffs.

The thing we know better than anyone else? That no deficit is insurmountable and it’s not over until a mic’d up fat lady flies by on a pig while singing.

I could sit in my bed and watch “Four Days in October” on repeat and pray that it will somehow make you win the next three games. Like you know that I’m watching and it will motivate you to win for me. But I know that’s not how it works.

This year, I’m not going to watch it at all (okay, maybe once, but just once!). I’m not going to compare this year’s playoff run with last years playoff run. I’m going to focus on this team, and this upcoming game. And you know what? I’m going to enjoy the hell out of it.

Here’s what I’m NOT asking of you, Boston Red Sox. I’m not asking you to win the next three games without falter. This is a really good team you’re playing. As a player myself, I know that you can’t win every game. To use one of my favorite phrases: that’s baseball.

What I AM asking of you, is to play your balls off. When you step into the hallowed ground that is Fenway Park and onto the field, take a look around. Because all of the faces that you see came to watch you play. To cheer you on. These people may be the very same people who were criticizing you on twitter the day before. So why are they here? Because they love you.

Boston sports fans have been spoiled over the past decade and a half. Blessed with successful sports franchises, we expect to win, just like you do. When you hear the roar of the crowd today, remember that it’s not 9 vs. 9 or 25 vs. 25. At Fenway, it’s over 37,000 vs. 25.

Boston Red Sox

Successful teams hold each other accountable for their mishaps. Good teammates call each other out when they see something that needs to be changed. We, the fans, are just an extension of the team. So yes, I will use “us” when I refer to the Red Sox. I may not be out there on the field, but I, and all other Sox fans, have the same goals for this team as you do.

Behind my whining, ranting, and calling for Rick Porcello to be kept off of the mound, is a loyal fan who is behind this team every step of the way. Because if managing was easy, we would all be doing it. If being a professional athlete was easy, we would all be doing it.

Our job is to keep you in check. To keep you focused and fired up. To be the best fan base in the world. Don’t worry Hanley, we’ll be ready.

So, when you hear that the other team is really good? There’s only one response: we’re really good. What happened yesterday and the day before is no longer relevant. It’s about who the better team is today. That’s who is going to win.

The road ahead is not going to be an easy one, but we’re still paving the road. If you play like you’re capable of playing, you’re going to win.

In the words of Rocky Balboa, “it’s not about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.” So yes, we may be down, but that’s a hell of a lot different from being down and out.

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A wise man named Kevin Millar once said “I’ll tell you what. Don’t let us win today”. The pressure is off of you, Red Sox. You play your game and compete as hard as you can, and the comeback will take care of itself. Don’t let the Boston Red Sox win today.

Your move, Astros. Red Sox nation is waiting for you to put us away. Begging you to put us out of our misery. Save us the emotionally taxing long road ahead. Because if you don’t, we’re winning the whole damn thing.