I heard much over the past few years about how the Sox had become "unlikeable".

I have no clue whether "likeable" or "unlikeable" translates into actual quality of game play. 

But, from the point of Dodger trade to the dawn of 2013, Cherrington and the front office crew have completely altered the complexion of this club vis-a-vis likeability.

This club is veteran grinders (albeit handsomely paid verteran grinders), guys hunting for redemption, guys who play with heart and have fun.  

Now, that, to me, is easy to root for.

And, as Club Metaphysician, I counseled the Fo that the platoon splits and extra 3 or 4 million above "market value" was well worth it just for the Aloha (much needed in Sox clubhouse) that Victorino will bring.

But seriously, those whining about 80 wins, no ace, no superstar masher, etc. etc., these folks may have their day when all is said and done.  i really have no clue how this incarnation of Red Sox will perform.  Could be as bad as people make it out to be.  Could be much better.  Dunno.

But in the meantime, I am going to have a blast rooting for Pedroia, the Flyin' Hawaian, long-hair wild-man Hanrahan, WMB, Lester and Buchholz in redemption now-or-never mode, nasty bullpen (break out the spoons), Gomes, Papi, grizzly Dempster.

May not be many marquee names on this roster, but the competitive complexion is a drastic alteration form the country club look of recent past.  

Underdogs with something to prove.  Far, far better than top dogs with everything to lose.

Likeable.

I heard much over the past few years about how the Sox had become "unlikeable".

I have no clue whether "likeable" or "unlikeable" translates into actual quality of game play. 

But, from the point of Dodger trade to the dawn of 2013, Cherrington and the front office crew have completely altered the complexion of this club vis-a-vis likeability.

This club is veteran grinders (albeit handsomely paid verteran grinders), guys hunting for redemption, guys who play with heart and have fun.  

Now, that, to me, is easy to root for.

And, as Club Metaphysician, I counseled the Fo that the platoon splits and extra 3 or 4 million above "market value" was well worth it just for the Aloha (much needed in Sox clubhouse) that Victorino will bring.

But seriously, those whining about 80 wins, no ace, no superstar masher, etc. etc., these folks may have their day when all is said and done.  i really have no clue how this incarnation of Red Sox will perform.  Could be as bad as people make it out to be.  Could be much better.  Dunno.

But in the meantime, I am going to have a blast rooting for Pedroia, the Flyin' Hawaian, long-hair wild-man Hanrahan, WMB, Lester and Buchholz in redemption now-or-never mode, nasty bullpen (break out the spoons), Gomes, Papi, grizzly Dempster.

May not be many marquee names on this roster, but the competitive complexion is a drastic alteration form the country club look of recent past.  

Underdogs with something to prove.  Far, far better than top dogs with everything to lose.

Likeable.

I heard much over the past few years about how the Sox had become "unlikeable".

I have no clue whether "likeable" or "unlikeable" translates into actual quality of game play. 

But, from the point of Dodger trade to the dawn of 2013, Cherrington and the front office crew have completely altered the complexion of this club vis-a-vis likeability.

This club is veteran grinders (albeit handsomely paid verteran grinders), guys hunting for redemption, guys who play with heart and have fun.  

Now, that, to me, is easy to root for.

And, as Club Metaphysician, I counseled the Fo that the platoon splits and extra 3 or 4 million above "market value" was well worth it just for the Aloha (much needed in Sox clubhouse) that Victorino will bring.

But seriously, those whining about 80 wins, no ace, no superstar masher, etc. etc., these folks may have their day when all is said and done.  i really have no clue how this incarnation of Red Sox will perform.  Could be as bad as people make it out to be.  Could be much better.  Dunno.

But in the meantime, I am going to have a blast rooting for Pedroia, the Flyin' Hawaian, long-hair wild-man Hanrahan, WMB, Lester and Buchholz in redemption now-or-never mode, nasty bullpen (break out the spoons), Gomes, Papi, grizzly Dempster.

May not be many marquee names on this roster, but the competitive complexion is a drastic alteration form the country club look of recent past.  

Underdogs with something to prove.  Far, far better than top dogs with everything to lose.

Likeable.

I heard much over the past few years about how the Sox had become "unlikeable".

I have no clue whether "likeable" or "unlikeable" translates into actual quality of game play. 

But, from the point of Dodger trade to the dawn of 2013, Cherrington and the front office crew have completely altered the complexion of this club vis-a-vis likeability.

This club is veteran grinders (albeit handsomely paid verteran grinders), guys hunting for redemption, guys who play with heart and have fun.  

Now, that, to me, is easy to root for.

And, as Club Metaphysician, I counseled the Fo that the platoon splits and extra 3 or 4 million above "market value" was well worth it just for the Aloha (much needed in Sox clubhouse) that Victorino will bring.

But seriously, those whining about 80 wins, no ace, no superstar masher, etc. etc., these folks may have their day when all is said and done.  i really have no clue how this incarnation of Red Sox will perform.  Could be as bad as people make it out to be.  Could be much better.  Dunno.

But in the meantime, I am going to have a blast rooting for Pedroia, the Flyin' Hawaian, long-hair wild-man Hanrahan, WMB, Lester and Buchholz in redemption now-or-never mode, nasty bullpen (break out the spoons), Gomes, Papi, grizzly Dempster.

May not be many marquee names on this roster, but the competitive complexion is a drastic alteration form the country club look of recent past.  

Underdogs with something to prove.  Far, far better than top dogs with everything to lose.

Likeable.

In response to SpacemanEephus' comment:

Just having that idiot Valentine out of there makes it better.

I always like the Red Sox.

I do like the underdog.  The last couple years the guy I rooted for the most was DMac.

As a matter of fact I used to feel waaay more comfy with the team before they won the championship.  Don't get me wrong. I was wildly happy about it, but with that said there was something about the Red Sox that was gone forever when they won.

In response to snakeoil123's comment:

Tm WLW-L%GB Detroit Tigers DET 86 70 .551 -- Boston Red Sox BOS 85 70 .548 0.5 Baltimore Orioles BAL 80 74 .519 5.0 New York Yankees NYY 79 76 .510 6.5 Cleveland Indians CLE 72 84 .462 14.0 Milwaukee Brewers MIL 65 91 .417 21.0                                                                               

In response to Ben Cheringtom's comment:

May not be many marquee names on this roster, but the competitive complexion is a drastic alteration form the country club look of recent past.  

Underdogs with something to prove.  Far, far better than top dogs with everything to lose.

Seriously, I'm glad you are full of fun and optimism. That said, you have to be joking that another 150 million payroll isn't "country club", and "underdogs"? How many teams with a payroll over 150 million are "underdogs"?  But, hey, if that perception makes you happy, more power to you.

In response to Softlaw1's comment:

As to the underdog notion, I agree with you that it is hard to call any team with a bloated payroll such as the Sox an underdog.  However, it is what it is.  With the Blue Jays doing their best 2011 Marlins imitation, the ascension of the Orioles, the consistent excellence of Tampa, and the Yankees coming off a playoff year ... and the Sox coming off one of the worst years EVER ... the Sox most certainly are the underdogs.  You can put alittle * next to that if you think payroll should equal success.  In fact, from now on, I will make sure to call them underdogs*.  But, make no mistake, this club is an underdog*.  Just ask Vegas.