| Jealous Of Red Sox Fans Authored by Payam Jahromi - April 14, 2005 - 5:14 pm
I could write about the Warriors’ recent eight-game winning streak, the three-game losing streak or even about Baron Davis’ consecutive player-of-the-week awards. But that’s not what’s on my mind.
There’s something else I need to get off my chest. It’s about the Boston Red Sox. More specifically, their fans. You see, I’m jealous of them. Very jealous.
I don’t think I have to explain why. But I will explain how this has anything to do with the Warriors.
Think about it. You had a group of die-hard, knowledgeable and suffering fans who had never seen their team win a World Series. This was a group of fans who honestly didn’t know if they would ever enjoy a championship in their lifetime. Anything bad that could happen to their team did. They loved their team.
Then last October happened. They finally had their dream season, beat the Yankees and won the World Series.
Every Red Sox fan I’ve talked to, heard on TV or read online has said the feeling is even better than they ever imagined. All the pain and suffering was worth it. The World Series actually changed many lives.
A Warriors title would do the same around here. They wouldn’t get the national attention the Red Sox did, but a Warriors championship would have a similar impact on Bay Area fans. It would be so incredible that it’s actually unimaginable.
I know the Sox’ last title was in 1918 while the Warriors’ was in 1975. So this article is really for those Warriors fans under 40. If you’re over 40 and remember the ’74-75 season, you are lucky. No matter what happens, you will always have that team to look back on and remember the greatness of Rick Barry. I’m jealous of you too.
But if you are too young to remember that year or weren’t born yet, this is for you. I’m in my early 30s and I was too young. For us, it doesn’t matter if the Warriors last title was in 1975, 1918, or 150 B.C. We’ve never witnessed a Warriors championship – never been close – and we honestly don’t know if we’ll see one in our lifetime.
One would hope the next 30 years can’t be as bad as the last 30, but there are no guarantees in sports. It took the Red Sox 86 years. The Cubs are at 97 years and counting. Who knows how long Chris Cohan will own the Warriors.
The Red Sox had “The Curse of the Bambino.” The Warriors have “The Curse of C-Webb.” A lot of bad things have happened in the last 11 playoff-less years, but they all started when Chris Webber forced that trade and crumpled a promising team. The Curse of C-Webb deserves its own column.
Last October, I couldn’t really enjoy the Red Sox championship because I felt sick thinking of the Warriors. Last Monday – The Sox’ home opener – those feelings came back when they handed out their rings.
I wish Warriors fans could have that same feeling some day. I’ve lived in the Bay Area my entire life, and there is something special about Warriors fans. Two football and baseball teams split the fans in those sports.
But in the NBA, the Warriors are king around here. Just look at their attendance numbers during their winning streak. They had the 10th largest crowd ever for a team that is going nowhere this season.
Imagine how the fans would react to playoff games. How about a championship? Could you even imagine? I can’t. |
