05-22-2009, 02:37 PM
<!--quoteo(post=39450:date=May 22 2009, 01:30 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ May 22 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->While it's possible that you might be the one true and decent Sox fan on earth, hPOD, I've suffered through far too many Sox fan encounters to just let it rest.
Let me be clear about something -- I have three very close friends who are Sox fans. One of them I've known since 2nd grade. I'm still confused how they ended up Sox fans while growing up on the Northside of Chicago, but that's another issue (one of them had to do with the Cubs trading Dave Kingman and never being able to forgive the team for that sin).
Two of these guys were in my wedding. One of them came to my mother's funeral.
But I swear -- if the discussion *ever* turns to baseball, it takes all of the willpower that I possess NOT to choke every last breath out of their lungs. Again -- incredibly nice guys 99% of the time. Guys I would step in front of a punch for (I probably wouldn't take a bullet for them). But the biggest douchebags in the world the moment baseball comes up in conversation.
It's why I will never initiate a baseball discussion with a Sox fan -- not even Sox fans who happen to be friends of mine. You guys simply can't help yourselves.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can help myself just fine. Remember, though, this is very much a two way street and if the shoe was on the other foot, Sox fans would be going through something similar. Of course, the day will come that they do, and many of them will deserve every second of what they get, but not all of us. Sports are supposed to be entertaining, it's about being competitive but it's also about being gracious. Anytime sports interferes in your relationships with friends or family, it's gone too far, and a civilized person would recognize that.
Let me be clear about something -- I have three very close friends who are Sox fans. One of them I've known since 2nd grade. I'm still confused how they ended up Sox fans while growing up on the Northside of Chicago, but that's another issue (one of them had to do with the Cubs trading Dave Kingman and never being able to forgive the team for that sin).
Two of these guys were in my wedding. One of them came to my mother's funeral.
But I swear -- if the discussion *ever* turns to baseball, it takes all of the willpower that I possess NOT to choke every last breath out of their lungs. Again -- incredibly nice guys 99% of the time. Guys I would step in front of a punch for (I probably wouldn't take a bullet for them). But the biggest douchebags in the world the moment baseball comes up in conversation.
It's why I will never initiate a baseball discussion with a Sox fan -- not even Sox fans who happen to be friends of mine. You guys simply can't help yourselves.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can help myself just fine. Remember, though, this is very much a two way street and if the shoe was on the other foot, Sox fans would be going through something similar. Of course, the day will come that they do, and many of them will deserve every second of what they get, but not all of us. Sports are supposed to be entertaining, it's about being competitive but it's also about being gracious. Anytime sports interferes in your relationships with friends or family, it's gone too far, and a civilized person would recognize that.