Sara Hannon's Sox DNA

I didn't grow up anywhere near Boston, but my Dad did. I think the reason we're so cynical and prone to curl up in a ball and die every time things start to look bad is because we were so close for so long and always came up empty handed. We don't know how to react to this new era of Sox winning. My Dad heard stories from his Dad who heard stories from his Dad about the Royal Rooters and the Curse. From 1918 on it was all pain. When my Dad was growing up, he experienced loss after loss while hearing about the losses he wasn't around for. But we watch anyway. My grandfather was dying of cancer, and he stayed alive six months longer than he was supposed to just to watch the Sox play in 67. Despite their losing, anyone who really loves the Red Sox can't help but be emotionally and physically invested in them. They're like part of our family, in our homes from April to October (hopefully). I think because we love them so much, we have this uncrushable hope. The hope that has been beaten down so many times, it can no longer be defeated. We're tough. We're quick to give up temporarily, but we will never truly give up. I think the new generation of Sox fans will be a different set. We who remember the bad years have grown up with the stories of the losses, the Curse, and legends about the Rooters and the good 'ole days will always swing between joy and defeat in the blink of an eye, but our children? They'll hear the stories and say "that was the old Red Sox, the new guys...they rock." That hope will continue, without the scars of the past.

These new fans may not be scarred, which is what makes Sox fans so very unique, but they will certainly know about them. True Sox fans know about baseball. They're probably the smartest fans in the game. They know stats, history and can make good judgments on games.

I think that defines my Sox DNA. Knowledge, history, hope and love. And scars. Lots and lots of scars.


-Sara Hannon

Lew Watson's Sox DNA

In my opinion, there are two primary reasons for becoming (and remaining) a Red Sox fan. The first is that the Yankees are evil and they need to be defeated. Becoming a Red Sox fan allows you to root for the good guys in the epic struggle. As a Red Sox fan we stand for what is right and are the team is the equivalent of a super hero that has only recently grown into his own. The second reason is that there is no finer place for baseball than Fenway Park. Watching baseball being played in Fenway is how baseball is supposed to look.

I was once on a prospective business deal in Boston and told the lawyers that we needed to negotiate for a shag fly ball at Fenway. Unfortunately, we never made it to real negotiations. My dream of defending the green monster (even in practice) died a little bit more that day.

Thanks for the chance to chime in,

Lew Watson
Altadena, CA

Welcome To The Red Sox Genome Project

This blog will attempt to do something some observers believe is impossible. Namely, to break down and map the DNA of Red Sox fandom. What makes us tick? What is it about this franchise that inspires such loyalty and intensity? What the heck causes us--even after two World Series Championships in four years--to swing between euphoria and angst in a span of a few seconds. We will try to create a sort of Rosetta Stone of Red Sox fandom, so we can at least try to understand why we are who we are. E-Mail us here with your thoughts on the make-up of Red Sox DNA.