I'm not one for superstitions but in the past I've also hesitated to dwell on the recent good fortune that Boston sports fans have been able to revel since the New England Patriot's ended the city's championship drought in 2001, out of fear I might jinx the teams. However, last night's blow out by the Boston Celtics over the Los Angeles Lakers has given me pause to consider how this most recent championship has helped re-shape the Boston sports fan's psyche.
I'm not a die-hard sports fan, but collectively what these three teams have done (Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics) winning a total of 6 Championships in a span of 8 years must be a record. I have attended more celebratory parades in tribute to Boston teams winning championships than many cities have collected in their entire history.
Boston has always been a big sports town and maybe that is part of the recipe for their success. Fans and journalists alike are hard on the athletes and coaches and their scrutiny can be difficult to take especially when a team is not winning. However, since the start of the century, there has been a lot to be proud of and no doubt this will be looked back upon as the 'Golden Age' for Boston sports. I feel badly for Boston fans living from afar, because the intensity of the moment and the passion that is unleashed is powerful but temporary and if you are not here to appreciate it - you really are missing something special.
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