Don’t peak too early Sox fans, it’s a long haul

By Nick Masuda

Managing Editor of Visuals

The idea of rooting for either the Red Sox or Yankees makes my stomach churn.

Ugh.

No way. No how.

Being from the West Coast, I grew up on Dodgers-Giants and A’s-Angels.

But, after watching the fan intensity (just in the office) of the Yanks-Sox, I am beginning to realize that those West Coast rivalries are tame in comparison.

There’s nothing like Sox-Yanks, and that’s cool.

I have a new respect for Sox fans after this weekend. You really do care. Baseball runs in your veins, and life stops for a few hours when the Sox play the Yankees.

That’s what being a fan is all about.

Forget your troubles. Forget where you are in the standings. Forget about match-ups. Today is a new day, filled with different situations and solutions. And, as a fan, that is what makes it exciting.

And Sox fans should be excited. When you get clutch hits from Coco Crisp and Alex Cora, things have to be looking pretty good.

And, when Alex Rodriguez can have two homers and four RBIs and the Sox can still win, the baseball gods definitely have your collective backs.

But don’t get cocky.

It’s a long season, so pace yourself. Sure, beating the Bombers is huge. But, it isn’t everything. Those wins over the Tampa or Baltimore or Kansas City are just important in the standings.

So, here’s a challenge to all Sox fans: Keep the intensity up for those games. That’s what being a true fan is all about. Anyone can follow the team for a few days when the rest of the world is watching as well.

It’s those 13-inning games in May that truly earn you your stripes.

Target on their backs: The world governing body has yet again showed its political bias by putting the United States women’s soccer team in the most difficult group at this year’s World Cup in China.

What is upsetting is that the U.S. squad single-handedly put women’s soccer on the world map with their unbelievable, and media-friendly, run in 1999.

Yet, the U.S. has only be punished since. In 2003, it arguably was handed the most difficult draw and this year they will face Nigeria, North Korea (World No. 5) and Sweden (World No. 4) in the preliminary rounds.

So, count this as one more group of people that are affected by the growing hatred of the U.S. across the world.

Mad props: Maineiacs’ owner Mark Just is putting his money where his mouth is. As the Lewiston squad prepares to take its semifinal playoffs series to Canada, the owner has decided to cut down on a possible 14-hour bus trip by sending the team up to Rouyn-Noranda on a chartered flight.

Most owners talk a good game, but Just pulled out his wallet and put his team first. After finishing as the league’s top team in the regular season and walking through the first two playoff rounds, the Maineiacs have earned it.

In professional sports, owners are rarely heard from (unless your name is Mark Cuban). Most of the time, owners only criticize. Just is a breath of fresh air.

Meanwhile, Rouyn-Noranda headed back home on a bus late last night. Deflated, tired and down 2-0 in the series.

It’s time to go for the Maineiacs to go for the jugular.