With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

Now is definitely a time to celebrate in Boston. But with a new title, greater demons are waiting to threaten a fantastic time in Boston Sports.

Bruin’s goalie Tim Thomas hoisted the Stanley cup in presentation to adoring fans. “You guys wanted it and we got it for you… now let’s celebrate.”

            It’s a phrase every passionate sports fan wants to hear in the ultimate culmination of a season well done. Your team responded to your desires and theirs, and together, you stand in victory- and victory is something Boston has become accustomed to.

             Boston fans usually acknowledge that sunny days aren’t always over their city that reveres sports so adamantly- and Bostonian Ian Scherling knows this well.

            “The attitude of Bostonians is perfectly aligned with the peaks and valleys, wins and losses for the sports team playing at that time,” Scherling said.

            With seven championships in the past 10 years, Boston has literally taken the definition of a sports powerhouse city and literally created the most successful decade in sports.

            “Put simply,” said Scherling, “aside from politics, Bostonians love sports.”   

       

   Those seven iconic championships, three by the Patriots, two by the Red Sox and one and one for the Celtics and Bruins make Boston the owner of more titles than any other metropolis. The only one that comes close is LA with six, then it goes down hill from there.

             There’s always been hardship in the life of some of the most die-hard fans in the world, but no one is feeling sorry for Boston anymore.
            “Spoiled to win seven championships in ten years? Maybe,” admitted Scherling. “I know people don't like Boston sports or sports fans, but the fact of the matter is this is an amazing city for sports and right now, all of our teams are playing at the highest level.” 
So...
            1.) What comes up, must come down… and how do we make sure Boston stays a perennial winner?

            2.) The unspoken/ most known expectation in sports just got more spotlight and more expectation- the Red Sox winning the 2011 World Series and fulfilling an almost prophetic time in Boston sports.  

           Here’s where opinion comes in full force. (Don't say I didn't warn you)

            The Yankees should always be the Yankees, and the Red Sox should always be the ones that defeat the undefeatable, the team that sometimes can’t get out of their own way but sometimes pulls off what you’d never thought you’d see. Yes, I want my cake and eat it too. But winning doesn’t bake that way.

            As we drink champagne and toast to this epic time, and boast of our current Sox offense and impressive series records, in the back of my head is the worry that sometimes things can be too good to be true.

            “Winning championships will always be the expectation,” says Scherling. “With the way the Sox, Pats, Celtics, and Bruins are all playing in their respective seasons, there's no question about it.”

            Sports does sometimes teach us that things are just as good as they seem. But as far as what this hockey win means to the sport of baseball in Beantown, it’s a story of caution.

            The Phillies, the Yankees, or who ever else you hope reaches October… are all smiling in the shadow that fans and the Red Sox created for their opponents to hide and wait. Plotting the attack to an organization with perhaps the biggest target it’s ever worn on its back. That comes with the territory of being good at what you do and finally getting over the hump of being the red-headed step child with the weight of an 86-year curse on your back. (Sorry Cubs). 

            There is such a thing as David and Goliath, and in sports, both will always exist. For many years Boston was the noble David, not as big or as strong as the foes they took on, but courageous and willing to defy none-the-less.

            “Without a doubt the championship that means the most to the city is the 2004 World Series Championship,” Scherling said. “Hands down.”

            Heart, something so strongly embodied in the 2004 season, is always important to the fans of Boston, and should stay that way even now as a "Goliath" organization awakes to the crisp snap of 2011 Boston bats. If they win, they will do what everyone expected them to.

             If they lose, it will be to the Davids who arose to the challenge to dethrone the giants like the Sox got their fame from doing, or attempting to do.

            “As for being worried about a championship drought, no way,” said Scherling. “And I say that knowing full well the old saying that pride comes before the fall.”

            Spoken like a true Boston fan, have faith and don't look back.