Five Reasons Why the Red Sox Are the Greatest Team Ever

When it comes to Red Sox and Yankees, there are heated debates that span generations. I wish to add my perspective for the greater good of baseball.

1. The Boston Red Sox Survived Nearly Nine Decades of Abuse, Bad Luck, and Tragedy.

While the Boston fan base has recently been treated to championships and a healthy dose of October magic, the long-term history of this team is far more dark. After being obliterated in many, many playoff appearances, the fans also experienced some of the most humiliating and tragic losses in baseball history. From Bill Buckner to Aaron Boone, the Boston fans have been to the bottom of the barrel and back more times than any other team. The scope of the losses are unimaginable, and the recent victories and triumphs only begin to erase the pitiful and painful history.

2. The Boston Fan Base is Stronger than Steel.

While experiencing this these tragedies, the fan base has held firm. The fans are as much a touchstone of the Red Sox as is Fenway Park. Every home game is shining recognition of the dedication of these amazing people. Doctors, lawyers, businessmen, construction workers, musicians, kids, and juvenile delinquents are brought together on those Summer and Fall evenings. They suddenly have plenty of discussion topics: the recent Manny debacle, Shilling's presence and legend, the evolution of Dice-K, and the strength of the bullpen. One becomes an equal in the stands, and people sway and sing in unison during the interludes between innings.

3. The Red Sox are an Institution in Boston.

Unlike New York where the fan base is split between Mets and Yankees fans, the Boston scene is united with their team. And, while most cities with baseball teams also only have one team, it is uncommon to find a city whose dedication is a strong as Boston's. Walk down any street in Boston and ask a random stranger for the Boston update, and chances are, you will be handed more information than you could ever digest in one leisurely stroll. The Red Sox are a conversation staple during baseball season; the radio airwaves are dominated with scores and profiles, the local channels are streaming with player and team statistics, and the chatter in the coffee shops and bars revolves around trade talk, upcoming contests, and strategies for obtaining tickets. The culture of the Red Sox is firmly entrenched in the city, and bleeds profusely into the whole of New England.

4. The Red Sox Consistently Play the Underdog Role:

For years, the Red Sox have been written off as the team that 'tanks in the homestretch.' This stigma has played well in the favor of the team in recent years. While other playoff contenders have scrambled to make late moves, last minute trades, and desperate switches to gain a strategic edge, the Boston Red Sox usually stick to their guns and their guts--grinding out the season, playing hard each game, and focusing on each game individually. Their underdog status is played up in the media as well, and the players can rest easy without the huge expectations of a monster budget team like the Yankees. In effect, they can fly under the radar, focus on the game, and continually build up an advantage with their competitors.

5. The Red Sox Manager is Terry Francona.

Since Terry Francona was brought on to lead the Red Sox, they have two World Series Championships and several trips to the postseason. His calming presence in the clubhouse has brought about a sense of quiet confidence that has carried this team since 2004. The members of the squad repeatedly mark Francona as the reason for the team's success. His craftsmanship, leadership, and vision have truly changed the arc of the team's seasons. Boston without Francona was lost, and with Francona has found their dominant place at the top of the heap.

While there are many other reasons for the Red Sox's superiority, these five reasons clearly show the dominance of this team. Eat your hearts out, Yankee fans!