We Red Sox fans are in a great place right now. It's May, we're tied for first in the AL East, JBJ is on a record hit streak, and Ortiz's retirement tour is in full swing. We know all too well that this could change at any moment, so we embrace it while we can. Here's a list of 10 things Red Sox fans can all agree on!
1. Fenway Park is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.
No matter how many times you've been to "America's Most Beloved Ballpark," it is impossible not to get goosebumps every time you walk up the ramp and see the park open up ahead of you. Beautiful. You take a moment to soak in your surroundings - the smells, the sounds, the people - let out a sigh of relief, and realize that you're finally home again.
2. Fenway Franks and Footlongs are a must have at the ballpark.
Forget about peanuts and Cracker Jacks, Fenway Franks and Footlong Hot Dogs are some of the only foods you're interested in eating at a game. Outsiders may think, "What's so great? They're just hot dogs. They're basically the same thing." Nope. We, true Sox fans and hot dog connoisseurs, know this is not true.
3. You HAVE to sing along to Sweet Caroline.
You might not be the type to stand on your seat, embrace the stranger sitting next to you, and sing at the top of your lungs when Sweet Caroline plays in the 8th inning, but you better at least make some sort of effort to sing along. You KNOW someone will call you out for not getting in the spirit, so you might as well get out of your seat and try your hardest.
4. Fever Pitch is the ONLY film that will truly capture what it's really like to be a Sox fan.
Al Waterman. Ben. Lindsey. Yankee Dancing. Johnny Damon's "sweet ass." We've all seen the movie. We all love it. A true cinematic masterpiece. There's not much more to it than that.
5. No matter how old you were during the 2004 World Series, you still consider it one of the greatest times in your life.
The curse was reversed. You might not have been old enough to stay up and watch the game and you might not have been able to take the day off from work to watch the Duck Boats carry our team through the city, but in your mind, you were there for it all. We all were.
6. We have the best soundtrack in the MLB.
Tessie, Sweet Caroline, and Dirty Water. You hear them before the games, during the 8th inning, and after victories. These songs are only to be associated with the Sox and nothing else.
7. Don and Jerry will forever be your favorite duo.
Nothing personal Dave O'Brien, but we all miss these two goofballs together in the booth. I mean just look at them - such chemistry! They were our favorite thing about watching the games at home, and we all miss their crazy antics and Don's infectious laugh. Red Sox Nation isn't the same without ya, Don.
8. You spent the better half of 2013 imagining what it would be like to yank Gomes' or Napoli's beard.
Don't worry, you weren't alone. We all wanted to give their beards a good tug every time they drove in runs or after a big win. You just couldn't get enough of Nap and Gomes, aka the Bearded Brothers, and you might still miss them after all these years. I know I do.
9. David Ortiz will always be one of your favorite players and you never want to see him retire.
We knew this had to come at some point, but why now?! He has been the heart of the Sox for quite a while now and we aren't too sure what it's going to be without Papi. Hopefully, he pulls a Pedro and doesn't go too far. We love you, Papi.
10. No matter what, you will NEVER give up on your Sox.
Rain or shine, winning or losing, curse or no curse, this is your team and you're always going to be there. Sure, we all get frustrated every now and then, but COME ON PEOPLE, we waited out an 86 year curse! During all those years, we were still Sox fans and Sox fans we will always be.
