Joy Continues Today!

From the warm Spring mornings of April, through the hot Summer afternoons of June, and into the cool Autumn evenings of September, Joy is encouraged by the Boston Red Sox as they pitched, hit, scored, and won their way to another postseason. Now it is October and once again the Los Angeles Angels are the first hurdle on the path to a third Red Sox World Series championship in the Twenty-First century. This Divisional Series play begins in a California stadium and ends in a Massachusetts park. Accompanied by Joy, I will watch excellent pitching, double digit hitting, frequent scoring, and decisive winning in my Southern California abode as Boston dominates Los Angeles and moves on to the Championship Series. Joy looks forward to the process – pitch, hit, score, and win – repeat itself throughout October and into November, ending with the Boston Red Sox victorious. The triumphant end of the journey begins today, the acquisition of the third ring starts today, and the ever present Joy continues today! The inclusive seasons of Spring, Summer, and Autumn converge into the elusive Postseason once more.

Joy Returns Tomorrow!

Joy last existed in a crowded, stand-anywhere-you-can-find-a-space New England sports living bar in Southern California. For several hours that warm October night, people happily embraced friends, eagerly consumed golden liquids, and voluntarily stared at illuminated screens on walls throughout the bar. All of this to support the Boston Red Sox in their quest to once again become American League Champions and have a chance at the World Series for a second year in a row. However, Joy left (an out here) and returned (a hit there) throughout the seventh game and only completely vanished into the night at the end of the ninth inning. The second chance was lost. People sadly consoled friends, slowly consumed liquids, and completely ignored the screens on the walls. The warm October night had unexpectedly turned cold.

Joy was deeply missed over the winter months. Then February arrived and with it Spring Training. The Boston Red Sox ended the preseason winning more games than they lost and a bit of Joy began to appear. And now it is April and a new season begins tomorrow - Opening Day. Boston starts the regular season at home in Fenway Park. And as twisted fate (or baseball scheduling) would have it, the Red Sox start the 2009 season by playing the Tampa Bay Rays - the last team they played in October. On Opening Day people will once again support the Boston Red Sox with Joy. And I will be at that New England sports living bar in Southern California and although it may not be as crowded (no ring ceremony this year); there will be embracing of friends, consumption of golden liquids, and staring at illuminated screens. Yes, Joy returns tomorrow! The cold October night becomes a warm April day.

Image is from the website boston.redsox.mlb.com