people in new england are true believers in their beloved red sox. check out this prof reflecting on the calvinist heritage of new england and faith in the sox.
"The failures of the Red Sox are a product of struggle, not concession, and to some, they are best seen as the reflection of the region's doctrinal traditions. "There's something about the Puritan legacy," says Isaac Kramnick, the vice president of undergraduate education at Cornell University and a Red Sox fan. "There's something about the inherent nature of New Englanders" that believes that bad can triumph over good." more from this article titled "bittersweet theology of red sox faithful here.
and this season's run for the american league pennant in a absolutely stunning series against the yankees has some fans even reflecting on the meaning of faith.
“Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to. Who is going to pull when your team is down 3-0 except for Red Sox fans,” said Erin Mason, a sophomore from outside of Boston.
and last night's miracle game was largely the responsiblity of curt shilling, ace pitcher for the sox, who pitched one of his most memorable games ever and gave the glory to god. shilling said:
"Seven years ago, I became a Christian, and I asked God to do something for me tonight," Schilling said after Boston's 4-2 victory over New York in American League Championship Series Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. "In Game 1, I tried to do it alone, and it didn't work out too well."
hmm. can one take these yearnings and pull them into preaching, into thinking about a deeper meaning under this baseball faith? and how does one honor the desire to give god thanks when one does well without somehow claiming that god 'fixed' the game in order to answer the prayer of one of the players?
someone should write a book on baseball and faith. maybe someone already did. go sox!
anon, and +peace
GO SHILLING! IM FROM MA AND I LVOE THE RED SOX. ITS WICKED AWESOME THAT HE IS A CHRiSTIAN!
Posted by: katie | October 28, 2004 at 03:05 PM