Redsoxchickie: Just This Side of Stalking

This time of year is like being in a bad relationship.

Think about it...being a sox fan is the definition of a love-hate relationship: if they do well we can't get enough of them, if they do horribly we want to kick them to the curb, but irregardless, we will always take them back if they buy us enough bling-bling ala Kobe. We're a cross-dressing GM away from a Jerry Springer episode.

Like every relationship there's always that honeymoon phase where it seems that the other person can do no wrong, mainly because everyone is putting the best foot forward. They're stringing together wins, scoring runs to your hearts content. In May it seems like the playoffs are in the bag.

Then come the dog days of summer. Champagne and roses have turned into Burger King and a six pack of bud. Everything seems to be on an even keel but you start seeing signs that all is not Kosher. They start slipping up, an error here, a blown save there, but they still seem to be ok in the end. But by August you're hearing rumors that they're not getting along, and the losses are starting to pile up and you left with a feeling of impending doom as fall approaches.

This time of year is especially bad. It's the make or break time of the relationship. You've issued the ultimatum: Win or we're through! So now you're just waiting for the answer. With every loss your heart breaks just a little more, but with every win you figure you can hang on just a little longer to see if everything could work out. Your friends tell you to give up because its a hopeless situation - its happened before and it'll happen again. The past 2 years my boys have been poised to make a playoff berth only to tank quicker than a J. Lo marriage. This year was different though...they didn't fall apart like you had planned. They actually were sticking with you. But now you're just wincing, waiting for the inevitable messy break-up. Will it be the "Its not you its me (and my inability to score runs with men in scoring position)”? Or will it be the, "I think we should just be friends (you're putting too much pressure to win on me)" speech?

So as October approaches you hold you breathe and brace yourself. You're either in this for the long haul or it ends immediately. But what if they surprise you and in October they get you a ring? The answer is: all will be forgiven because after all...Diamonds are forever, baby!!!