Boston Sports Then and Now

Six Championships.

Six Victory Parades.

Historic Records.

Blockbuster trades.

The last ten years washed away the 86 year curse of the Red Sox, saw the Patriots win three Lombardi trophies and the Celtics raise banner #17. Now we are just waiting for the Bruins to join the championship party.

Let's relive and revel in the top 10 sports moments in Boston, "The City of Champions".

#10: The Boston Bruins finally win a playoff series.

Yes it may not be a championship, but when you finally win a playoff series after 10 seasons, it's a big deal.

The Bruins swept the hated Montreal Canadiens in the 2008-2009 NHL playoffs. This was the team's first playoff series victory since they defeated Carolina in 1999.

Boston would go on to lose to the former "Whale" four games to three in the second round of the playoffs.

#9: Tom Brady and Randy Moss have a record setting night in New York.

On December 29th 2007, the Patriots faced the New York Giants for a chance at regular season perfection. There were also two records up for grabs as well. Tom Brady connected with Randy Moss on a 65 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Brady would break Peyton Manning's single season record of 49 touchdowns with his 50th scoring strike. On the same play, Moss hauled in touchdown reception #23 to break Jerry Rice's record.

#8: Patriots have perfect regular season but lose to Giants in the Super Bowl.

The Patriots defeated the New York Giants 38-35 in the regular season finale to become the first team to go 16-0 in the regular season. After defeating Jacksonville and San Diego in the playoffs, the Patriots were one win away from perfection.

New England would face the Giants again but this time in Super Bowl XLII. After taking a 14-10 lead on a Brady to Moss touchdown pass, the Giants would make some miraculously plays on their final drive.

Eli Manning avoided a certain sack and found David Tyree for the "Catch". Soon after, Manning would find Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left to give New York a 17-14 lead. The lead held and the Giants would hand the Patriots their only loss in the biggest game of the season.

Miami's record was still intact.

#7: The Red Sox defeat Colorado in the 2007 World Series.

The Red Sox would win their second championship in four years after 86 years of futility. Boston made it interesting as they always do. They trailed Cleveland in the ALCS three games to one, before rallying to win three straight.

The Colorado Rockies were no match for the Red Sox. They swept Colorado in the World Series fueled by Series MVP, Mike Lowell. Lowell hit .400 with 1 homer and 4 RBI's.

#6: The Patriots win back-to-back Super Bowls.

The Patriots defeated Carolina 32-39 in Super Bowl XXXVIII on the foot of Adam Vinatieri for their second championship in three years. New England would return to the Super Bowl the following year and they would be triumphant yet again. The victim this time was the Philadelphia Eagles, who fell to New England, 24-21.

The Patriots were the first team since the 1998-1999 Denver Broncos to win consecutive Super Bowls. New England also joined an elite group of NFL dynasties (60's Packers, 70's Steelers, 80's Niners, and 90's Cowboys) with their third championship in four years.

#5 The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers for Banner #17.

After finishing the 2006-7 season with only 24 wins, the Celtics with a re-tooled roster that included Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, would roll through the season.

Boston would post 66 regular season wins. They would be pushed to the brink by Atlanta and Cleveland in the playoffs, but would end both series at home.

After a gritty performance against Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals against the hated Lakers. The Celtics took the first two games at home before succumbing to the Lakers in Game 3.

In the pivotal Game Four, the Celtics had a comeback for the ages. They would go to rally from 24 points down to defeat LA at the Staples Center. Boston had the momentum in the series and would go on to beat LA in six games for their record 17th world championship.

#4 Ray Allen and KG come to Boston.

After an abysmal 24 win season, the Celtics would get the fifth pick and miss out on franchise players Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. Danny Ainge would trade the pick along with forward Wally Szczerbiak and guard Delonte West to Seattle for guard Ray Allen and the pick that would become "Big Baby" Davis.

Danny Ainge was far from done wheeling and dealing.

He would acquire the final piece of the championship puzzle. Ainge would strike a deal with former Celtic teammate, Kevin McHale for 10 time All Star Kevin Garnett. The Timberwolves received Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, a 2009 first round draft pick in return.

The new "Big 3" was assembled and paid instant dividends. In their first season together, Pierce, Allen, and Garnett led the Celtics to their 17th championship.

#3: The Patriots defeat the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

After franchise quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, was injured in an early season game, a seventh round pick from Michigan would lead the Patriots on a remarkable journey. Tom Brady came off the bench to lead the Patriots to an 11-5 record after starting off 0-2. New England would go on to win their division and secure a first round bye.

In a snowstorm versus Oakland, Brady and the Patriots would rally from a 13-3 deficit and beat the Raiders in overtime. The game forever remembered for the "Tuck Rule" catapulted the Patriots and laid the foundation for a dynasty.

New England would defeat the heavily favored Steelers in AFC Championship to take on the "Greatest Show On Turf" in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. The Rams were the top offensive club during the season.

The upstart Patriots raced out to a 17-3 lead only to see their wilt advantage away under the Superdome lights. Kurt Warner led his team to two touchdowns which tied up the game at 17-17.

Brady had 1:30 left on the clock and no timeouts remaining. Instead of taking a knee, he went out and made history. He led the team down the field to set up a 48 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The kick was good and gave New England their first Super Bowl Championship.

It was also Boston's first of six championships in the decade.

#2: The Red Sox Reverse The Curse by beating the Cardinals in the World Series.

After the historic comeback versus the Yankees, the World Series was a bit anti-climatic. The Cardinals didn't have a prayer, it was Boston's time. The Red Sox would go on to sweep St. Louis for their first championship in 86 years.

It was a victory for generations of Red Sox fans past and present. It was for all the Red Sox players who got close but never achieved the ultimate goal. This championship meant more to the city of Boston and New England than all of the others in the decade combined.

The Red Sox were not just a team but part of Boston's soul. For a city and region that suffered through the heartache and devastation year after year, but no more.

The Curse had finally been reversed.

#1: The Red Sox come back from a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS.

This series in essence was the World Series for Boston and it didn't start out well. The Sox trailed the Yankees three games to none in the series. They just got walloped and embarrassed at home, 19-8. Yet again expectations were way too high and it was wait until next year.

Not so fast.

It aint over till it's over (a Yankee said that how fitting).

"The Steal" by Dave Roberts in Game Four in the bottom of the ninth off of Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera was the spark for history.

Then the fire just grew.

David Ortiz homered in the bottom of the twelfth to leave hope for Red Sox nation.

Then he did it again the next night with a game winning single in the fourteenth inning.

The Sox were now only trailing by one game going back to New York. The momentum pendulum began to swing in a very big way.

Curt Schilling and his bloody red sock pitched a game for the ages in Game Six. He went seven strong innings allowing only one run. Sox win again.

Game Seven. Winner takes all.

And the Sox did just that. They would not leave New York as losers again.

Their bats erupted and the Yankees were left in disbelief. The Red Sox had just finished the biggest comeback in baseball history. And only one of a handful of teams to do so in all of sports.

For me, this was the biggest and most defining moment of the decade in Boston Sports. You may think the World Series victory should come in first, but without the historic comeback versus the Yankees there is no reversing the curse.

Boston is spoiled rotten sports wise. How many cities can say they celebrated six championships in three major sports? None that I know of.

Now when the Patriots and Sox go a few years before another championship, cut them some slack. Enjoy what we just had and what we will have.

The Celtics should raise another banner or two before the "Big Three" retire.

The Bruins are making strides, but all will be forgiven when they raise Lord Stanley's Cup (fingers crossed).

Be grateful you were around to witness this Boston sports dominance because you will probably never see it again.

Please share comments and thoughts on the best decade in Boston sports history!

The last ten years washed away the 86 year curse of the Red Sox, saw the Patriots win three Lombardi trophies and the Celtics raise banner #17. Now we are just waiting for the Bruins to join the championship party.

Let's relive and revel in the top 10 sports moments in Boston, "The City of Champions".

#10: The Boston Bruins finally win a playoff series.

Yes it may not be a championship, but when you finally win a playoff series after 10 seasons, it's a big deal.

The Bruins swept the hated Montreal Canadiens in the 2008-2009 NHL playoffs. This was the team's firs

Written by: Christopher Klein
Reviewed by: Joe Gill

Christopher Klein has not only hit a home run with his latest book, "The Die Hard Sports Fan's Guide to Boston", but it is a bases clearing blast!

Christopher has masterfully combined a mixture of Boston sports history and the "what to know" regarding any and every sport in the area.

Baseball.

Hockey.

Football.

Basketball.

Tennis.

Rowing.

Running.

Squash?

Yes that too!

From reading his book, I learned such fun facts as the Wilmington based (my hometown) Fenway Painters were chosen to apply the famous great coat to Fenway's left field wall. It turns out Red Sox executives chose them because they thought the company's name was fitting for the job.

I also uncovered that the NFL's Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts started their roots in Beantown. Yes unbelievable, but true Patriots fans!

This book is choc full of historical tid-bits that will allow you to stump your co-workers around the water cooler/coffee machine or your buddies at your favorite sports bar.

Oh yeah if you want to find out the best sports bar for your favorite team, Christopher covers that too.

Want to know where to sit at the Garden, Gillette Stadium, Fenway, or Boston Arena?

Want to be a cheapskate or splurge at your favorite sporting event? He shares his secrets with you.

Should you take your child to a Patriots or Revs game?

Christopher Klein provides insight on kid friendly sporting events as well.

He leaves no stone unturned.

"The Die Hard Sports Fan's Guide to Boston" is so thorough and descriptive, you can taste the over priced hot dogs and watered down beer.

Whether you are a history buff, diehard, or fair weather Johnson of the Boston sports scene, this book is a must have!

Take it from one die hard fan to another.

Pick it up from the BST&N Book Corner today!

All Time Head to Head Record: The Patriots had won ten of their first eighteen match-ups against their AFL rival in the 60s. New England then split four meetings in the 70s before losing eleven straight against John Elway's Broncos teams. The Patriots finally beat Denver after Elway's retirement, winning two straight before dropping two straight entering this 2003 match-up.

The Game: November 2, 2003 played at INVESCO Field at Mile High Denver, CO
Season Team Records: New England Patriots (6-2), Denver Broncos (5-3)

Overview: Denver was the house of horrors for New England entering their Monday Night tilt. The Patriots were 1-12 in their last 13 trips to the Mile High city.
New England and Denver were both feeling the injury bug. The Patriots have shuffled 40 players in and out of the starting line up. All Pro, Richard Seymour joined the walking wounded with a leg injury.

The Broncos were down to their third string quarterback, Danny Kanell. Starter Jake Plummer and back-up Steve Beuerlein were both injured and not available. They were also missing receiver, Ed McCaffrey and two starting linebackers.
Both teams were jockeying for position in the AFC playoff picture. This matchup was extremely important for both teams possibly dictating home field advantage come January.

Coaches: New England Patriots-Bill Belichick, Denver Broncos-Mike Shanahan
Notable Patriots: Tom Brady(qb), David Givens(wr), Deion Branch(wr), Ken Walter(p), Asante Samuel(db), Adam Vinatieri(k)
Notable Broncos: Danny Kannel(qb), Clinton Portis(rb), Deltha O'Neal(kr), Jason Elam(k), Kenoy Kennedy(db)

Interesting Note: The Patriots were riding a four game winning streak and Denver lost two straight after starting out 5-1.

The Game: Monday Night football pitted two former AFL franchises in a key AFC conference battle. The Patriots arrived in Denver on fire, rattling off four straight wins against the Titans, Giants, Dolphins, and Browns after a 2-2 start.
Denver, on the hand, was reeling after two straight losses to Minnesota and Baltimore. They were left with their third straight quarterback. The Broncos would have to serve a heavy dose of Clinton Portis to offset the lack of passing game.
The one dimensional Denver offense hit pay dirt first. Running back, Clinton Portis opened up the scoring with a 15 yard scamper for a touchdown. The Broncos capitalized on a Tom Brady fumble on their opening drive. Denver would only need 4 plays to score from the Patriots' 28 yard line.

The disastrous beginning continued for Brady and the Patriots. Kenoy Kennedy, who recovered Brady's fumble, picked off a Patriots pass to give the Broncos the ball once again. The drive stalled and Jason Elam missed a 43 yard field goal.
The Patriots dodged a bullet and avoided going down 10-0 at a hostile INVESCO Field.

Tom Brady shook off his horrendous start and regained his composure. As soon as he got the ball back, he converted. Brady connected with Deion Branch on a 66 yard bomb and before you could get your popcorn, it was all tied up at 7-7.

In the second quarter, the kickers were very busy. Adam Vinatieri and Jason Elam both connected on kicks of forty plus yards to square the game at 10-10.

Danny Kanell showed some poise and grit leading the Broncos on a 14 play 72 yard march. He connected on intermediate passes and Clinton Portis continued to run well. The Patriots also committed three costly penalties that kept the drive alive.

As the half winded down, Kanell connected with running back, Mike Anderson for a 1 yard score. The Broncos were ready to bring a 17-10 lead into the locker room.
Kick returner, Bethel Johnson, had something to say about that. With only 24 ticks left on the clock, Johnson took the kick 63 yards to get the Patriots in field goal range.

Vinatieri connected on a 46 yard booming kick and cut the Denver lead to four points. The score was now 17-13, after an exciting first half on Monday Night Football.
The Patriots took the lead mid way though the third quarter with Tom Brady's second touchdown pass to tight end, Daniel Graham.

New England now led 20-17. T

The Patriots now had the momentum.

Could the Broncos swing pendulum back?

Special teams have already played a vital role in this game with Bethel Johnson's return to set up a field goal. The Broncos Deltha O'Neal wanted to get into the game and make his presence known on prime time TV.

After Brady's touchdown pass, Denver and New England both went three and out on the next two possessions of the game. Patriots' punter, Ken Walter, kicked the ball a mile high that pinned the Broncos deep in their own end.

One problem. Holding penalty on New England.

This penalty would prove costly. Walter re-kicked the ball to the speedy and shifty Denver returner, Deltha O'Neal. He took the punt and raced 57 yards for the touchdown.

Denver was on top yet again, 24-20 as the third quarter came to a close.
Could Tom Brady orchestrate another fourth quarter comeback?

New England took the opening possession in the final frame down to the Denver 10 but had to settle for a 28 yard field goal. The scoreboard now read, Denver 24 New England 23.

After a few fruitless possessions for both teams, Denver put together a drive that stalled at the New England 35 yard line.

Coach, Mike Shanahan, had a dilemma. A long field goal attempt would be a plausible option. One problem, Jason Elam pulled his groin earlier in the game and would never make such a long kick.

Shanahan chose to punt the ball deep and pin the Patriots against their own goal line.
Surprisingly, Brady threw three straight incomplete passes in the shadow of his own end zone.

The game of chess would continue.

This time it was Bill Belichick's move. Most coaches would punt the ball and hope his defense could get the ball back for his offense.

Belichick is not like most coaches.

He called for an intentional safety.

Yes an intentional safety.

No one could believe Belichick would make such a bold move.

People's memories must be short.

Belichick took an intentional safety three years earlier against these same Denver Broncos. The Patriots won 28-19.

Ken Walter now had a free kick from his 20 yard line rather than from the back of his end zone.

Belichick's gutsy decision paid dividends.

Walter's kick from the 20 yard travelled to Denver's 15 yard line. Deltha O'Neal had no room to run and the kick coverage was perfect. O'Neal could not make a big play like he did earlier in the game.

The Broncos were backed up deep in their end, but they had a 26-23 lead. Kanell and the offense just needed to convert a few first downs to make Belichick's intentional safety a moot point.

Portis was able to amass 9 of his 111 yards on this drive. However, a penalty cost Denver 5 yards on third down. Kanell and Broncos now faced third and 6 yards to go with 2:31 remaining.

Kanell's pass fell incomplete and the Patriots would get the ball back.
Belichick's master plan was coming to fruition.

Now Denver was kicking from the shadow of their end zone, but didn't have the time to take an intentional safety of their own.

Troy Brown took the punt and returned the ball to Denver's 42 yard line with 2:15 remaining. New England only had one timeout plus the two minute warning to stop the clock. They had plenty of time to go for a tying field goal or a go ahead touchdown.

Sounds like the team's first Super Bowl victory versus the Rams. They could be content with a tie or go for a win.

Brady only believes in going for it all and that's just what he did.

Brady connected with running back, Kevin Faulk on passes of 5, 19, and 16 yards. Faulk continued to show his consistency and versatility as an all purpose back.

The Patriots drove down to the Denver 18 yard line with about one minute left on the clock. Brady (20 for 35 for 350 yards and 3 td's) found wide receiver, David Givens on a pass that he had to adjust on by the pylon. He crossed the goal line and the Patriots took an impossible 30-26 lead.

Could Denver counter New England's latest hay maker?

Kanell was in position to do his best John Elway or now Tom Brady impression. Unfortunately, for Broncos fans, Danny Kanell is no Elway, Brady, or even Jake "The Snake" Plummer.

On second down from his 13 yard line, Kanell threw an ill advised pass right to Patriots corner, Asante Samuel. The Patriots took over on the costly turnover and kneeled down on the ball.

This game exemplified how important coaching is in football. If Belichick didn't call for the intentional safety, the Patriots probably wouldn't be in position to tie or win the game.

Coaches coach, players play, and champions win.

Post Script:
The Patriots would not lose again during the regular season. They would finish 14-2 and win the AFC East with ease. After a bye, the Patriots defeated Tennessee in the divisional playoff then Indianapolis at home for the AFC Crown.

The Patriots would face Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII and would win their second championship in three years, 32-29 on Adam Vinatieri's last second field goal.

The Broncos would go 5-2 down the stretch and finish 2nd in the AFC West. They earned a playoff berth in the Wild Card round versus the Colts. Indianapolis defeated the Broncos in a close battle, 10-7.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now, Rootzoo.com and Trufan.com

October 27th will mark the 5th anniversary of the Red Sox reversing the 86 year curse. Damn five years went by quickly (I hate getting old!), but I remember that night like it was yesterday. It was a crisp clear autumn night with a full moon. I was meeting all my friends at the Grand Canal in Boston to witness arguably the most exciting, incredible, and unbelievable moment in Boston Sports History.

The Red Sox were on the cusp of finally Reversing that f@$#@*& curse!

However, let's step back and rewind back to the ALCS versus the hated Yankees. After dispatching the LA California Angels of Anaheim at Disney in the Divisional Series, the Sox sputtered and were left for dead after a 19-8 thrashing at home. They were in a 3 games to none hole. Everyone in Red Sox Nation began to focus on the Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics (If you really thought they were coming back from down 3-0, you are a liar or a psychic).

Baseball season in Boston was over.

Or was it?

Folks, I am going to come clean with you first. I have not been a die hard fan since 1986. I used to watch the Sox religiously as a kid. I remember watching the Sox, especially Yaz, on my little Black and White TV in my family's outside screen house.

I cried when Yaz retired in '83. I still remember the newspaper clippings of Yaz sitting in his rocking chair that was presented to him at the retirement ceremony. I can still see him making his farewell lap at Fenway Park.

He is the reason that 8 is my favorite number (yeah Cam you had something to do with it too!) and I have a Yaz #8 t-shirt to prove it!

Happy 70th birthday Carl!

After Yaz retired, I became a huge fan of Dwight "Dewey" Evans(his number should be retired and I am still upset that lazy Manny wore #24). I think I still have an oversized baseball card of him somewhere.

I was in love with the Red Sox.

Then it happened. The '86 World Series versus the Mets.

You all know what happened. No need to go back down Horror Show Lane.

I was no longer a diehard. I just became a follower of New England's baseball team.

I mentally prepared myself for heartache. I rooted for them in the playoffs and wanted them to win, but I wouldn't jump off the Tobin if they didn't (The Pats and B's are a different story!).

In 2003, when Aaron Bleeping Boone hit the series winning homerun off Tim Wakefield, I didn't crawl in a ball and die. I was okay with it. It was part of who the Sox were. Close again, but no victory cigar.

I accepted it.

So when the Sox got dismantled by the Yankees in 2004, my mind was already erasing the baseball memories from my mind. I was making room for my fall sports brothers to take center stage.

Boys of summer, thanks for another "try". See you in April.

When they were down in Game 4, I shut off the TV and went to bed. I couldn't bear seeing the Yankees celebrate on our home ballpark field.

I just hated them so much!

Something woke me. I made my way to my cell phone. I fired it up and winced as the final score was downloading.

Wait. What? They tied it up!

TV is back on. Ortiz hits the game winning homer and a breathe of air goes back in the lungs of Red Sox Nation.

They win Game 5 in dramatic fashion again! Big Papi is Mr. Clutch!

I keep telling myself that they can't do this to us. They better win this damn thing.

I mentioned to my boss if, scratch that when they win Game 6, the next game will be played during our flight to Seattle!!!

The Bloody Sock and the series is tied up!

I am going to be on a f%*&%$ plane to Seattle! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I brought a radio on the plane. I was prepared to scramble the plane's instrument panel to hear the Sox beat their hated rivals from New York!

As we crossed over the Rocky Mountains, the plane hit some horrific turbulence. My hands were clenching my legs so hard that I almost severed veins and arteries with my finger nails! I thought I was going to buy it!

I asked the flight attendant if she has been through bad turbulence before and she said "This is the worst I have seen." Well that comforted me. NOT!

I guess the man upstairs wanted me to see the greatest comeback in baseball history!

After tearing up my last will and testament, I broke out my radio. No signal! Damn how am I going to get score updates?

The pilot came over the PA and made the following announcement, "Sox 8 and Yankees 1 in the 6th." The cabin roared in jubilation!

Now the question was would we land in time to hear/see the end of the game?

Descent.

Landing gear on runway.

Speed dial to my mom.

"Mom, what's the score of the game? Who is winning?"

She responded, "Oh my god Joey, its 10-3 Red Sox with two outs in the ninth!"

"Who is up?"

She responded, "The skinny guy."

"Can you be more specific?"

She said, "Rueben Sierra" "Oh my god he just grounded out! It's over! They are going to the World Series!"

I just got a chill writing this.

Plane erupts again!

I yell over to my co-workers. "They did it!"(Last thing I said to them was, "I am taking a car home from Seattle!", after my brush with death.)

We run to a coffee shop in the airport to see the celebration. It was moving and emotional.

What a moment!!

I saw a Yankees fan and said, "We finally got you!!"

My friends were calling me from Copley Square. Boston was going bananas!!

And I was Sox-less in Seattle!

Let's fast forward to game 4 of the World Series. Grand Canal Bar on Canal Street in Boston.

My friend and Boston native, Kenny flew in from Atlanta. We got to the bar at 430 to make sure we had good seats right in front of Plasma. My other friends Joe(The Man in the Mirror) and Anthony joined us, the bar was filling quickly.

No other place I rather be.

Good friends and hopefully great memories.

The atmosphere was electric!

Damon hits a homer to open the game. The crowd was amped.

Derek Lowe was pitching great and he did it effortlessly. The Cardinal hitters already lost and they didn't even know it yet.

Bottom of the ninth, I was leaning on the bar and in a praying posture. They can't blow this I thought to myself. It's so close!

Foulke pitches to Renteria. Ground ball and then you hear, "Back to Foulke, Red Sox fans have longed to hear it: The Boston Red Sox are World Champions."

86 years of frustration and heartache, flooded into the streets of Beantown as a wave of jubilation and joy.

I put my head on the bar and%u2026..sobbed.

I had tears in my eyes. They finally did it and I was here to see it.

The little 10 year old boy, who loved the Sox, Yaz and Dewey, was finally at peace.

The Sox won. Not just for themselves but for every Sox player and fan who endured all the sadness and disappointment.

We all remember forever, where we were when they Reversed the Curse!

October 27, 2004(It should be a holiday if you ask me).

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now, Rootzoo.com and Trufan.com

The foundation for the Patriots in the 1980's was laid by former coach, Chuck Fairbanks. He drafted franchise future hall of famers such as Steve Grogan, Stanley Morgan, John Hannah, and Steve Nelson. They formed the core of a veteran team complimented by some young stars such as Tony Eason, Andre Tippett, Tony Collins, and Craig James.

With this chemistry success was soon to follow and my love affair with the team began.

The decade opened with a 10-6 record in 1980 and a second place finish in the AFC East. The team set a franchise record for points scored with 441 points, but failed to qualify for the playoffs.

The success of 1979 and 1980 was soon forgotten as the Patriots could only muster two wins in 1981. The franchise had become a laughing stock of the league and always found new ways to lose.

The team would end the season with a 9 game losing streak. This streak included a 23-21 loss to the equally as pitiful, 1-14 Baltimore Colts on the last day of the season. Some folks have dubbed this as, "The Worst Game in NFL History."

Coach Ron Erhardt would be dismissed after the 1981 season and replaced by former SMU coach, Ron Meyer.

The 1982 campaign was a strike shortened year. The Patriots posted a 5-4 record which included a 3-0 win vs. Miami on Dec 12th.

Why is this game so special?

A snow was falling in Foxboro which caused unstable footing especially for kicking field goals. Steve Grogan told Coach Meyer to get the snow plow to clear an area for John Smith to attempt a field goal.

Mark Henderson, on work release from Walpole State Prison, plowed a path for the field goal attempt. John Smith connected and the Patriots won 3-0.

Henderson's name was being chanted and he forever has a place in Patriots lore.

The win not only infuriated Miami coach, Don Shula put it helped catapult the Pats into the playoffs for first time since 1978.

Miami would get its revenge a month later beating the Patriots 28-13 in the first round of the playoffs.

During the 1983 season, the Patriots home was renamed Sullivan Stadium after the team's ownership.

The team chose quarterback, Tony Eason from the University of Illinois from one of the deepest drafts in NFL History. Dan Marino, John Elway, Jim Kelly and Ken O'Brien were other members of the famous QB class of '83.

Eason spent most of his rookie season behind starter Steve Grogan. He got into four games due to injury, posting 557 yards with one touchdown and 5 interceptions. This game experience would prove very beneficial in Eason's development.

The team was a .500 ball club that year posting an 8-8 record. One of the few highlights that year was the play of running back, Tony Collins. Collins posted 1,049 yards with 10 touchdowns.

His best game of the year was on Sept 18th vs. the New York Jets. Collins scampered for 212 yards in a 23-13 win at Sullivan Stadium. This would be a pre cursor for things to come.

The 1984 campaign was a bitter sweet year for the Patriots.

Tony Eason would come into his own at quarterback. He would step in again for an injured Steve Grogan. He led the team to an improbable come from behind victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Trailing 23-0 in the second quarter, Tony Eason would lead the Patriots to 38 unanswered points. His stat line would read 12 for 22 for 126 yards. Not gaudy numbers by any stretch, but he had no turnovers and accounted for 3 touchdowns (2 passing and 1 rushing).

Eason finished the season with stellar numbers for a sophomore. He threw 23 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. His interception percentage was tops in the league.

Another young star, linebacker Andre Tippett emerged as one of the marquee pass rushers in the NFL.

Drafted in 1982 from the University of Iowa, Tippett became feared throughout the league especially during the '84 season. Andre recorded 18.5 sacks to lead the NFL (3rd most by any linebacker in history) and was also selected to the Pro Bowl.

By the mid point of the season, the Patriots would have a respectable 5-3 record. However, their good efforts and fortunes were about to be derailed.

Management fired Ron Meyer. It was apparent power struggle between the two parties. Meyer fired defensive coordinator, Rod Rust to the displeasure of the Sullivan family.

The Sullivans replaced Meyer with Raymond Berry. The former wide receiver great with the Baltimore Colts, served on the Patriots' staff from 1978-81. The Sullivans contacted him and offered him the position.

Berry said transitioning into the head coach's role was like "Putting on an old shoe."

The shoe was a little tight for the remainder of the 1984. The Patriots finished the season with a 9-7 record (posting a 4-4 record after Berry's hiring) and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

The following season could be considered the year of very comfortable shoes for Berry and the Patriots.

I was only 12 years old in 1985. My Dad, who doesn't really like football, got tickets for the Patriots-Packers opening day game. Only problem was the seats were on opposite ends of the stadium. I guess it's the thought that counts.

Too bad the seats weren't together because I would have witnessed one of the best and memorable teams in Patriots' history.

The quarterback carousel would continue to turn in the 1985 season. Starter and rising star, Tony Eason was sidelined with a shoulder injury in the sixth game of the season versus the Buffalo Bills.

Dependable veteran, Steve Grogan, was yet again waiting in the wings. After stepping in for Eason, Grogan rattled off 6 straight wins bringing the Patriots record to 8-3.

The Patriots were on a roll, but would soon experience a case of déjà vu.

Grogan not Eason would go down with a broken leg against the New York Jets. Eason erased a 13-3 deficit, but New York prevailed in OT, 16-13. The Patriots 6 game winning streak was ended and they stood at 8-4.

The Patriots chalked up wins against the Lions and Colts, but their loss to Dolphins the following week would be costly. At 10-5, their playoff hopes would now ride on the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Pats raced out to a 27-16 in front of the Foxboro faithful on that chilly December afternoon. The Bengals would cut the lead to 27-23 on an Esiason-Collinsworth touchdown pass in the 4th quarter.
Would the Patriots hold on or would it be another disappointing heartbreak?

Robert Weathers sprinted for a 42 yard score that put the game away and the crowd went insane. Legend has it, that they tore the goal posts down and paraded them down Route 1 in Foxboro. Their crusade was cut short when the posts got tangled in power lines and gave these passionate fans a jolt, literally.

The Patriots reached the post season because of the superb play of Tony Eason, Andre Tippett(16.5 sacks/defensive player of the year), Steve Grogan(led the team to 6 straight wins), Craig James(1227 yards rushing), Fred Marion(Pro Bowl safety), and Raymond Clayborn(Pro Bowl corner). A balanced offense and a tenacious defense were a lethal combination for their opponents.

The Patriots knew they were good and knew they could win at home or on the road.

However, history was not in the Patriots favor. They would have to win three straight road games to reach the Super Bowl in New Orleans. No team had accomplished this feat in NFL history.

The first stop would be against the New York Jets in the AFC Wild Card Game at the Meadowlands. The Patriots offense and defense made all the big plays as the Jets' offense sputtered. Final Score 26-14.

The hated and top seeded Los Angeles (aka Oakland) Raiders were now standing in their way to a date in the AFC Championship. The Patriots would exorcise all the demons from their loss to the Raiders in the 1976 playoffs and the injuring of Darryl Stingley at the hands of Jack Tatum. Memories that still didn't sit well with the Patriots 10 years later.

The Pats came strong out of the box converting a Raiders turnover, one of six on the day, to 7 points with an Eason to Lin Dawson touchdown giving them a 7-0 lead. The Raiders then went on to score the next 17 points and led the AFC Divisional playoff early in the second quarter.

However, the offensive fireworks did not stop there between the two teams. The Patriots went on to score 10 points and the Raiders added 3 more to end the half, 20-17 in favor of Los Angeles in front of a sell out crowd at the Coliseum.

The Patriots would tie up the game 20-20 on a Tony Franklin 32 yard field goal. Sammy Seale fumbled the kick from the Patriots causing a mad scramble at the Raiders goal line. Special teamer Jim Bowman, a name etched in Patriots history jumped on the loose piggy to give the Patriots a 27-20 lead.

The tide officially turned in the Patriots' favor.

The Pats went on to win the game by capitalizing on Raiders miscues and the down hill running of Craig James who amassed 104 hard fought yards. The Patriots were heading to the first AFC Championship in team history in a place that they lost 18 straight times.

The Dreaded Orange Bowl in Miami.

Craig James said "They knew they were going to the Super Bowl" and they played just that way.

It was time to "Squish the Fish." We all know dolphins are mammals, but nothing really rhymes with dolphins. Plus it made a great slogan and t-shirt!

As they did against the Jets and Raiders, the defense and special teams remained opportunistic. The Dolphins would turn the ball over 6 times which resulted in 24 New England points.

Early in the 2nd quarter, the Dolphins went ahead 7-3 but that would be the last time they would have the lead. The Pats would go on and score the next 21 points led by the three headed monster of Tony Collins (61 yards), Craig James (105 yards), and Robert Weathers (87 yards).

Fan favorite, Mosi Tatupu, answered Miami's score and put the game away, 31-14 with a one yard run. I can still see Mosi tumbling in the end zone in his mud covered uniform. I bet Mosi's Mooses

When we left the Patriots, they were in search of yet another home. The AFL was now defunct and they were now members of the National Football League. Times were a changing.

The Boston Patriots first year in the NFL was pretty forgettable. They returned to Harvard University to play the 1970 season. NFL MVP QB Joe Kapp was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings and expectations were high. However, Kapp couldn't do it by himself and the Patriots floundered to a dismal 2-12 record.

The following year, 1971, was a monumental year in Patriots history. The team acquired land from the Bay State Raceway in Foxboro, MA to build Schaefer Stadium. Their name was changed from the Boston Patriots to the New England Patriots in March of that year. The team wanted to establish itself as the regional team for all five New England States.

The team's stadium was completed in 325 days for a cost of about $7.1 million. Schaefer Brewing Company was one of the first corporations to pay for branding rights for a sports venue. The asking price was $150,000.

The new complex was not without its problems. Prior to the Patriots pre-season opener against the NY Giants, the stadium had a major "flush-off". All of the stadiums toilets had to be flushed to ensure that the plumbing could handle the 60,000 patrons. It passed%u2026.barely.

Number one draft pick Jim Plunkett, would be the quarterback for the newly named, New England Patriots during the 1971 campaign. Before Plunkett entered the draft, UCLA coach Tommy Prothro had called him the "Best pro quarterback prospect he had ever seen." The former Heisman trophy winner brought optimism and excitement to the relocated franchise.

Plunkett threw 19 TD's and led the team to 6 wins in his first year. Plunkett led the Pats to an opening day win over the Oakland Raiders to christen Schaefer Stadium. He also orchestrated huge wins versus powerhouses Baltimore and Miami that adversely affected the playoff picture. Plunkett captured the AFC Rookie of the Year award for his performance.

Hope sprung eternal in Foxboro.

The sophomore slump struck Plunkett in 1972. The team finished an abysmal 3-11 and 2nd year coach John Mazur and GM Upton Bell were fired. The Patriots mediocre ways continued.

The Patriots found themselves looking for a new head coach entering 1973. They found their man. Former Oklahoma Head Coach, Chuck Fairbanks, was named the team's new skipper. He had a stellar career in college leading the Sooners to three Big Eight Conference titles from 1967-1972

Fairbanks had great eye for talent. In the 1973 draft, he chose OL John Hannah, RB Sam Cunningham, DL Ray Hamilton, and WR Darryl Stingley. All these players would pay dividends over the years and Fairbanks wasn't done building his team through the draft. The team only won 5 games that year, but the Pats positioned themselves to compliment their young nucleus of players.

In 1974, The Patriots welcomed new draftee, linebacker Steve Nelson and saw RB Mack Herron break the record for all purpose yards (2,444 yards) formerly held by Gayle Sayers. The team started on fire going 5-0 but sputtered down the stretch finishing 7-7 during the strike shortened season. It marked the first non losing season since 1966.

Chuck Fairbanks learned a lot in the 1974 season. He began to see chinks in Jim Plunkett's armor. On the defensive side, he incorporated the new 3-4 defense which he used on almost every down. Fairbanks was an innovative tactician and incredible judge of talent.

In 1975, Fairbanks hit the draft jackpot yet again. He chose lanky quarterback, Steve Grogan from Kansas State in the fifth round. Grogan rode the pine for half of the season, but got significant playing time after starter, Jim Plunkett was benched. The team finished at the bottom of the league, but Grogan had a respectable rookie season posting 1,976 yards with 11 TDs and 18 picks.

The groundwork had been laid for Grogan to take over the starting position and Plunkett was traded to San Francisco for 3 first round picks (2 in 1976 and 1 in 1977). Fairbanks had more picks at his disposal to build a championship caliber team.

The country's centennial year proved to be one of the best in franchise history. The draft in 1976 bore even more fruit. Cornerback Mike Haynes and TE Russ Francis made immediate impacts on this star studded team that was the New England Patriots.

The Patriots finished the season 11-3(most wins in franchise history at the time) and qualified for the post season for the first time in 13 years. Led by the Steve Grogan's arms and legs (NFL record 12 rushing touchdowns), the Patriots defeated football powerhouses Pittsburgh on the road and Oakland 48-17 at home.

Their playoff opponent would be those same Oakland Raiders that they throttled earlier in the season. However, the game would take place in hostile Oakland. The Patriots fought and brawled their way to a 21-10 lead over the feisty Raiders. However, luck and the referees were not on their side.

A phantom roughing the passing call against Ray Hamilton on Kenny Stabler would set up the winning score for the Raiders and complete the comeback. Most Patriots players and fans at the time would refer to this game as one of the most painful moments in team history. They all felt this team was poised for greatness and was a better team than the eventual Super Bowl Champion, Oakland Raiders.

Chuck Fairbanks seemed to strike gold in the draft and 1977 was no different. Cornerback Raymond Clayborn and Wide out Stanley Morgan from the University of Tennessee were the newest bricks in the foundation that would last well into the 1980's. Chuck Fairbanks seemed to be the Bill Belichick of the 1970's. He was an incredible motivator, tactician, innovator and guru for talent.

The team finished with a respectable 9-5 record but missed the playoffs. It seemed the Patriots could not string together back to back successful years. Would 1978 prove to be a valley or peak for the franchise?

The Patriots reached the franchise's highest peak with their second 11 win season, but had a small valley to overcome first. Wide receiver, Darryl Stingley was paralyzed due to a cheap shot by hated Raiders defensive back, Jack Tatum. The team rallied after this tragedy but Stingley would never walk again.

Many players felt the '78 was better than the '76 team. The ground attack sure was. Four players, including quarterback Steve Grogan, racked up at least 500 yards rushing. Grogan said "We had one of the best running games, there ever was in the NFL." The team rushed for a NFL record 3,165 yards which still stands today.

The team clinched their first AFC title with one game left in the regular season. However, the season ended on a sour note with a 31-14 playoff loss to the Houston Oilers. The team may have been distracted by Chuck Fairbanks announcing that he would step down as head coach.

Fairbanks was suspended by the team at the end of the regular season due to his negotiations with the University of Colorado for their head coach opening. This situation seemed to be very similar to Parcells announcing his resignation prior to Super Bowl XXXI versus Green Bay. History does repeat itself.

Linebacker Steve Nelson said of Fairbanks, "He was as a good of a football coach as I ever had." Chuck Fairbanks will always be remembered as the first great coach in Patriots history. He can also be considered the architect of a team that would have even more glory in the mid-1980's.

The anticlimactic year of 1979, ushered in Ron Erhardt of North Dakota State fame as head coach. Quarterback, Steve Grogan had a bitter sweet season. His body began to take a beaten and he was no longer the elusive, running quarterback which he was earlier in his career. His newly adopted pocket passer style proved successful. He posted a perfect passer rating against the NY Jets by completing 13 passes for 315 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, the Pats finished with a 9-7 record and missed the playoffs.

The 1970's was a decade of inconsistency sprinkled with instances of success. The players from the Fairbanks era would grow older in age but also with experience. These veterans would be integral to the success of the team in the 1980's.

And I became a die hard fan%u2026.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now and Trufan.com

Fifty years of Patriots Football, damn, time flies when you are having fun! I have only been around since 1973, so I am writing about Patriots history gone by to help educate the masses who only remember back to the Bury the Bears days. This is installment one of five, covering each decade of Patriots football. From the days playing at Fenway Park as the Boston Patriots to the perfect regular season of 2007 culminating with the return of Tom Brady. Happy Birthday to the Patriots, thanks for the fantastic memories!

The Boston Patriots were born kicking and screaming on November 22, 1959 to proud papa, Billy Sullivan Jr. Billy was a businessman with a great promotional prowess. He conducted a contest amongst local sports writers to name the fledgling American Football League franchise. The Patriots were selected as the team name (apologies to the folks who voted for the Lobstahs or Baked beans) and Boston Globe artist Phil Bissell developed the "Pat Patriot" logo, but now they needed to find a home and head coach.

The Patriots hired Lou Saban as the team's first head coach on February 8, 1960. The "Pats" as they were nicknamed called Nickerson Field at Boston University home in the inaugural 1960 season. The Patriots were AFL pioneers playing in the league's first preseason and regular season games. Boston lost to the Denver Broncos 13-10 in front of a home crowd of about 21,000 fans. That season was mediocre at best with Patriots posting a 5-9 record finishing last in the AFL eastern division.

The 1961 season started off slow with a 2-3 start. Saban was dismissed and newly hired coach, Mike Holovak rallied the team to a 9-4-1 record. Holovak posted an identical record in 1962 as the Patriots moved their home to Harvard University. However, the team's nomadic ways did not stop there.

In 1963, the Patriots shacked up with the Red Sox at historic Fenway Park. The Patriots ended up winning the AFL Eastern Division while posting a modest 7-6-1. They made the franchise's first playoff appearance by defeating the Buffalo Bills 26-8. They went on to the next round but got throttled by the San Diego Chargers 51-10.

Holovak had proven himself as coach and was awarded the GM position in 1964. He led the team to 10-3-1 record and grabbed AFL Coach of the Year Honors. The Patriots were becoming a competitive player in the AFL.

After their 4-8-2 hiccup in 1965, the Boston Patriots fell one game short of the AFL title game in 1966. Holovak won the Coach of the Year honors yet again, but the team dramatically fell out of contention for the remainder of the decade. The team stumbled along to a 7-20-1 record from 1967-68. Mike Holovak was fired in January 1969 and replaced by Clive Rush who posted a 4-10 record to round out the decade.

The 60's would draw to a close and so would the AFL. The AFL would finalize their merger with the NFL by acquiring the Patriots and 9 other clubs. The Pats would then join the newly formed American Football Conference.

The decade could be considered a state of flux in franchise history. The club played in 3 different stadiums and had 3 coaches. The Pats had their share of losing seasons and winning seasons, but never had a lack of grit and heart on the field.

Patriots and NFL Hall of Famers such as Jim Nance (2-time AFL rushing leader), Gino Cappelletti (All time scoring leader in AFL history), Babe Parilli, and Nick Buoniconti were gridiron grinders that Boston blue collar workers could relate to. These men were the face of professional football in Boston during the 1960's. They brought credibility to a team and league that needed to stay relative with the NFL.

The 1970's would bring even more change. New home%u2026..New name%u2026.New hope.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now and Trufan.com

Watching games on TV is great. You can get food and beer anytime you want. You can switch the channel when you team is getting pummeled. You don't have to wait in post game traffic. However, you miss out on the smells, sights, and sounds of being a true witness to Boston Sports History.

Pulling into Gillette stadium at 9am for a 1pm game. You are with your "tailgate" buddies eating burgers and wings at 10am when other people are feasting on French toast and omelets. You trade stories of your past week while imbibing on a few tasty micro-brewed beverages.

Joe Gill is a resident blogger at Boston Sports Then and Now

Arriving at An Tua Nua on Beacon Street prior to a Sox game. You get to enjoy some pre game grub at an affordable price I might add. A few beers later then you make your way to the hallow halls of Fenway Park. Your nose is assaulted by the smells of the ballpark. Italian Sausages. Popcorn. Beer and the fear of the opposing team's fans.

Hitting the Boston Beer Works on Canal Street before a Bruins or Celts game. Downing some pitchers of Boston Red and then maybe a quick Corona at Hurricane O'Reilly's. You are dressed in Black and Gold or Green depending on who is handing out the pain at TD Bank North Garden.

This is what it's all about! Regular season or Playoff game, no matter. Boston swells with excitement and anticipation as one of its favorite teams take the field, court, or rink. It's game on, literally! This is installment one of a series of unforgettable games that I attended in my life. Please feel free to comment and share your experiences too.

Let's rewind back to 1994. Grunge killed Hair Metal. Clinton was in office and the Patriots almost moved to St. Louis. Bill Parcells was in his second year of rebuilding the Pathetic Patsies.

As a young 21 year old, I had the opportunity to buy season tickets for about $300 a year. No brainer. Drinking beers with your friends and watching football? Where do I sign? My seats were about 18 rows off the field on the goaline at the trash can that was Foxboro Stadium.
Bledsoe went 45 for 70 for 426 yards and 3 TD's vs. Minnesota.

Bledsoe went 45 for 70 for 426 yards and 3 TD's vs. Minnesota.

There were no restaurants or shops. Going to the bathroom was an adventure every time. Sometimes the toilets worked and sometimes they overflowed. The seats were made of the hulls of old B-17's. Getting out of the parking lot was an utter nightmare. If you didn't leave by halftime you may have gotten home by 8PM after a 1PM game. Oh the memories!

I was young and I didn't care. Now I complain if the parking is $40 and the beers are $8. How times have changed in 15 short years!

It was November 1994 and the Patriots were 3-6. They were taking on the high-flying Minnesota Vikings with Warren Moon and his arsenal of weapons. Did I think the Pats were going to win that day? No not really. I was there to hang out with my friends and get loaded off my buddy Cam's Death punch, which was a mixture of rum and anti-freeze.

The Pats were getting slapped upside the face and the halftime scoreboard read Minnesota 20 and New England 3. My friends and I were contemplating on leaving, but some cosmic force told us to stay or just get a few more Sam Adams. One in the same, right?

We stayed and then we witnessed one of the biggest comebacks in Patriots history. Drew Bledsoe's passes seemed to have laser guidance systems on them. He didn't miss in the second half. The crowd that remained knew something great was taking place right before their eyes. I was sobering up pretty quick. I was so excited, I actually forgot to drink!

The Patriots sent the game to overtime. As all Boston fans prior to 2001, we were all waiting for the Patriots to blow it. Drew had nothing of that. He threw a flare to Kevin Turner in the opposite corner of my end zone to win the game. I couldn't believe it. Grown men hugged each other for seconds and even minutes! I remember running through the bowels of the stadium, screaming like an inmate at the insane asylum!

This was one of the defining moments of a team that turned the corner for greatness. Bledsoe and Parcells laid the foundation for Belichick and Tom Brady to build a dynasty. The Patriots went from doormats to cardiac kids on that warm November day and I was there. A witness to Patriots history.

Joe Gill is a resident blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now

I guess I conjured up all of the demons of Red Sox-Yankees Past.

The Boston Massacres of 1978 and 2006. Aaron Boone. Bucky Dent. They all showed their ugly heads as the Sox were swept in 4 game series in NY for the first time in 24 years. They were shut out for 31 innings before newly acquired; Victor Martinez hit a 2 run homer in the 8th Sunday night.

It was all for not! Damon and Teixeira hit back to back homers and the Sox saw their .5 game deficit turn to 6.5 games in a New York minute. The Sox have now lost 6 in a row limping back into Fenway to face the Tigers. Let's pray for some good ole home cooking!

It seems every year the Sox go through a swoon of some kind. I hope they got it out of their system. Granted, I am not a die hard Sox/baseball fan anymore. Those days were stolen from me on an October night in 1986 against the other NY team. However, I hate losing to the Yankees and getting swept is like getting kicked in the groin.
Remember Sox Fans, Darth Vader bought it in the end!

Remember Sox Fans, Darth Vader bought it in the end!

There is no doubt the Evil Empire is alive and well. It looks like that the Sox and Yanks will cross light sabers again in the AL East. However, the Sox must forget the Ortiz steroid circus, awaken their bats, and hope someone can step up in the pitching rotation. Beckett and Lester can't do it themselves!

Remember Sox fans%u2026.Darth Vader and the Emperor bought it in the end! As will the Yankees!

Saying New York in Boston is like swearing in church. You just don't do it especially during baseball season. It's the Hatfields vs. the McCoys, Huns vs. the Turks, its Yankees vs Red Sox. War is about to break out at the new Yankee stadium.

The Sox have had the edge this year with an 8-1 series lead but those damn Yanks have us by about 20 World Series titles. However, Boston has more championships this millennium. Nah Na Na Na Na nah!

After the series this weekend, more reasons will be spawned for me to hate the Big Apple! David Ortiz is going to get skewered and that is putting it mildly, due to his possible steroid involvement. You thought Pedro got it bad with "Whose Your Daddy?!"

NY is Darth Vader telling Boston, I am your father! I can hear Luke screaming already. New Amsterdam that it was once called is always the obstacle to Boston sports success.

Yanks in 99 and 2003. Damn you Aaron Bleeping Boone! The Jets beating the Brady-less Pats in OT at home last year to basically knock them out of the playoffs for the first time in 6 years. I don't hate the Giants and Mets as much but they still gave us our share of pain in 2007 and in 1986.
The NY Death Star Always Menaces over Boston.

The NY Death Star Always Menaces over Boston.

The City of New York makes Bostonian friends turn into barbarians. Back in 2005, my friend Joe and I went to see the hapless Bruins play the Rangers (who I also hate) at MSG. No surprise, they lost. However, my friend and I almost came to blows due to secret NY neuron gas!

I have seen Yankees and Mets fans almost tear each others eyes out. The City that Never Sleeps? Everyone is afraid they may die that's why it doesn't sleep!!

New York, you are Boston's Death Star. Hovering and menacing over us waiting to blow us to smithereens. However, we got our hands on the plans and will continue to have the last laugh like we did in 2004! Who's your Papi now!?!?!

I am so sick of these lists, congressional investigations, and these "cheating" baseball players!! Now the hall of 'roids has two new members, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez (AGAIN! He just served a 50 game suspension for taking a female fertility drug).

Don't get me wrong I love David Ortiz. He has been not only the biggest clutch hitter in Red Sox history (Game 4 and 5 of the 2004 ALCS filed in every Sox fan's memory), but a pretty stand up guy. Now him too!?

You know what I really don't care if he used it! Almost every power hitter since the late 80's has. Bonds (damn his head is 5 times bigger than in his Pirate days). Palmeiro (Lied in front of Congress. Nixon would have been proud). Sosa (Yeah he also used corked bats). McGwire (I remember his record breaking home run, watching it at an Atlanta Hooters. Great synthetic memory!). Manny (He probably doesn't even know he took them). A-ROD (Millions of dollars of pressure on him plus he had to keep up with the Toronto exotic dancer tabs). Canseco (He has been dead on with this scandal and lone truthful source).

It's a case of keeping up with the Joneses. David wasn't hitting in Minnesota and his career was on the rocks. Many of these players made tens of millions of dollars on contracts by "cheating".

Who can blame a guy whose career was about to fizzle out? Damn I just got laid off and am doing everything in my power to mentally enhance myself to get another job! Let's just hope he does the right thing and comes clean. It would be a shame for the nicest guy on the Sox to get a black eye from this steroid circus.

Now for this list. Release the damn thing already! How fair is this to Ortiz, Ramirez, and A-ROD? Name every top Tom, Dick and Harry! I don't care if someone who played 23 games and hit .238 for the freaking Florida Marlins is on this list too. Name everyone! Now the history of the most beloved game on the earth is in question! Who should make the hall and who shouldn't now? Guess What?!? Everyone in this era used them, people!

Baseball has been taking enough of a PR hit with this steroid scandal. You know some fat newspaper cat or MLB players' association fraud is sitting on this list waiting to leak out a few more names and rake in the cash. It's pretty pathetic, if you ask me.

Every sports fan is as sick of this story as Brett Favre coming in and out of retirement 4-5 times!! Enough already. This is like Hollywood remaking old movies because no one can come up with an original idea on their own.

Sports fans like me need to rest our hat on something good for a damn change. As I mentioned in my last installment, thank goodness football is back. The only thing I need to worry about is if Brady and Pats will beat the Bills opening night by 3 or 4 TD's! Viva el Football!

I follow the Sox but nothing like I did in my youth (1986 made me more of a casual fan). I followed the Celts during their post season run without KG, but there still was a void in this Boston Sports Fan's life.

However, this void will finally be filled. The Patriots are back. Sports radio will no longer be dominated about how bad Smoltz is doing or who will get traded to help bolster the Sox post season run. Football will be creeping back at a steady and furious pace. Camp opens this week and then the worthless preseason begins. A time where I chalk up my annual financial loss. My preseason tickets will go unused and $360 will be "donated" to the upkeep of Gillette stadium. I still wonder why I can't use this money towards the $40 parking and $9 beers during the regular season. Thanks Mr. Kraft!

I have been a season ticket holder since 1994. The second year of the savior, Bill Parcells and his strong armed quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. I loved Drew but he always pulled a "Bledsoe". A term created for a bonehead throw that would cost you the game in the end.

A lot has gone on in 15 years in Foxboro, Massachusetts. I have a few grey hairs. Tickets have gone from $25 to $89. I went from 18 rows off the field to the 3rd ring of Saturn. The Patriots have gone to 5 Super Bowls winning 3. A team that was ready to go to St. Louis or Hartford or Timbuktu, became a dynasty right in front of my eyes. Boston finally could feel arrogant about something after years of heartache and disappointment. Other cities, especially my fave Bears fan in Chicago, hates us and I love it. I mean he bet me the Bears would have a better record with Kyle Orton than the Patriots with Tom Brady. Brady goes down and Cassel assures me of victory! Gotta love it!

Tommy is back and the memories of last years "bye" is behind us. I do know there would be scores of NFL teams that would take 11-5 record as an "off" year. However, Patriots Nation has very high expectations for a team that has been in the mix since 2001. Vegas must have even higher hopes for the Patriots posting them as 3-1 favorites to win the Super Bowl. Sorry Pittsburgh, you get no respect like Rodney Dangerfield and you will like it!

All eyes will be on Tom Brady's knee and his presence in the pocket. If those things are in sync, NFL look out! They may not go 19-0(damn you NY Giants), but 17-2 sounds pretty realistic to me. Brady has better weapons than 2007 with the additions of Joey Galloway and Fred Taylor. The defense is getting younger (we will miss you Rodney!) and should flourish under the defensive guidance from Billy boy. Pittsburgh, Indy, and San Diego, the boys are back in town and you can't do a damn thing about it!