Why does it always have to end like this for our stars?
Read this on SOSH, and it resonates so well with me.
I know the bridges have been burned with the FO and Manny, but it's still a sad day for me.

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Thread was started by  John Marzano Olympic Hero: Jul 28 2008, 02:46 PM
It seems as if every time a superstar leaves the Boston Red Sox, it always ends with acrimony and bitterness. Beginning with Carlton Fisk and continuing through the departures of Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Nomar, Pedro, Johnny Damon and now Manny; it seems as if the Red Sox and their fans aren't satisfied unless their departing heroes need to leave the city wearing a black hat.

"He's too greedy"
"He's a jerk"
"He never played the game hard or was in shape"

These are all familiar refrains that are always uttered as yesterday's superstar leaves town. Some of these accusations may be true, but the majority of the time these guys are just looking for the best deal that happens to be in another city. And obviously, that hurts. I understand that.

But where does the vitriol and bitterness come from? The Boston Red Sox have continued to exist for over 100 years and have survived the loss of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Yaz and the stars mentioned above, so we've been through this kind of thing before (hell, every team has). It should be old hat for any franchise, players aren't immortal and unless born here, most of them don't have any real strong ties to the area. We know that these guys are essentially Hessians, yet we're always whipped into a frenzy when they leave.

It seems that the current ownership has a knack for making departing players look like complete assholes, but this has been a familiar hallmark through out Red Sox history, so we can't place the blame on them. Is it the media? That's too convenient of a scape goat and while I think some blame should be placed at their collective feet, they don't deserve the lion's shar. Is it the collective nature of the region? I have no idea, but I do know that this happens and will continue to go on. Does this degree of defaming happen in other towns?

Look up and down the Red Sox roster right now, in a few years the guy that is being cheered the loudest now is going to be booed the loudest in a few years. And to add to the irony, chances are he'll be compared to the guy that was just run out of town. David Ortiz? Dustin Pedroia? Josh Beckett? A new lightening rod may need to be replaced.

I guess the point of this post is simple: it would be too naive of me to suggest that the region stop the vilification of athletes who have given their all to the team when they decide to leave town. But, I don't think that it should be such a knee jerk reaction.
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Had great seats for the game was in the Goldman-Sachs box, 55 - Row 1

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Will upload pictures and write a bit more tomorrow.

Go Sox!!!

Edit -
Pictures are up on my flickr site.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/subhash_roy/sets/72157605161054347

Sox come back from 5-1 down, on a day when Beckett was scratched.
Jacoby Ellsbury with 3 hits, 2 homers, and a beautiful drag bunt.  So perfect no play was possible.
Even better his speed forced Scot Shields to go the side-step on his delivery to hold him on, this decreased a bit of motion on his fastball making th pitch a bit easier to drive for Dustin.  Who crushed it to left for a double scoring Jacoby from 1st without a throw! Dustin, BTW hitting nearly .477 over last 11 games!!!

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Another incredible comeback!!
Great hitting, and professional at bats
And of course Wake only throwing 18 balls!!  
Eating innings saving the pen!!!