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Think of it, now.
Shaughnessy, the Globe, etc. have been crowing all week (and for decades) about how Boston is still a "Red Sox Town". Admittedly, we have chafed at that since they've been doing it. Ignore the fact that this SB was the 2nd most watched TV program in the history of the United States (to the M*A*S*H* Finale in 1982).
But, really, what made the Boston Red Sox such a generational, deep seeded part of so many of our lives (yes, me included)?
Answer: A HISTORY OF EPIC HEARTBREAK
Until Sunday night, the Patriots did not have a last-minute, break your heart moment in their 48 year history.
Last year's AFCCG comes close, but it was no 'Pesky holding the ball too long' or 'Bucky Bleepin' Dent', 'Buckner' or 'Aaron Bleeping Boone'.
Super Bowl 42 and the epic loss (btw, due to a GREAT game by the Giants - - not really IMHO, by any one embarrassing screwup by the Pats) is the missing cultural seed in the hearts of New England fans that may have been missing in that argument for these decades.
New Englanders did not carry the Red Sox in their souls so deeply because of their SUCCESS. No. What made 2004 such an historic cultural milestone for the region was THE PRIOR HEARTBREAK on the road to getting there.
Any observer (even Shaughnessy and The Globe) will admit that the 2007 Red Sox World Series Championship had nowhere near the passion and joy of what happened in 2004. I can say that, for me, 2004 was a huge joy and very meaningful. Once that happened, however, the Red Sox lost their special cache. They became just another hometown team. The one I root for, yes, but no longer some kind of deep in the soul longing.
What the Patriots accomplished and endured (forget about 19-0, the media, etc.- - Tom Brady had his name dragged out by a US SENATOR on the DAY OF THE GAME as to being called in front of Congress - - talk about abuse of a high power), I believe, truly cements them in the psyche of New England fans for years to come.
We here have always held that, but now, the rest of New England may be feeling that more than ever before.
Shaughnessy, the Globe, etc. have been crowing all week (and for decades) about how Boston is still a "Red Sox Town". Admittedly, we have chafed at that since they've been doing it. Ignore the fact that this SB was the 2nd most watched TV program in the history of the United States (to the M*A*S*H* Finale in 1982).
But, really, what made the Boston Red Sox such a generational, deep seeded part of so many of our lives (yes, me included)?
Answer: A HISTORY OF EPIC HEARTBREAK
Until Sunday night, the Patriots did not have a last-minute, break your heart moment in their 48 year history.
Last year's AFCCG comes close, but it was no 'Pesky holding the ball too long' or 'Bucky Bleepin' Dent', 'Buckner' or 'Aaron Bleeping Boone'.
Super Bowl 42 and the epic loss (btw, due to a GREAT game by the Giants - - not really IMHO, by any one embarrassing screwup by the Pats) is the missing cultural seed in the hearts of New England fans that may have been missing in that argument for these decades.
New Englanders did not carry the Red Sox in their souls so deeply because of their SUCCESS. No. What made 2004 such an historic cultural milestone for the region was THE PRIOR HEARTBREAK on the road to getting there.
Any observer (even Shaughnessy and The Globe) will admit that the 2007 Red Sox World Series Championship had nowhere near the passion and joy of what happened in 2004. I can say that, for me, 2004 was a huge joy and very meaningful. Once that happened, however, the Red Sox lost their special cache. They became just another hometown team. The one I root for, yes, but no longer some kind of deep in the soul longing.
What the Patriots accomplished and endured (forget about 19-0, the media, etc.- - Tom Brady had his name dragged out by a US SENATOR on the DAY OF THE GAME as to being called in front of Congress - - talk about abuse of a high power), I believe, truly cements them in the psyche of New England fans for years to come.
We here have always held that, but now, the rest of New England may be feeling that more than ever before.
