A Test of the Theory
The Joy of Sox Movie
The “Joy of Sox” theory, in a nutshell, states that sports teams get an extra boost when their fans cheer, pray and pay atttention to them, whether right there at the stadium or from the distant comfort of home. But in order for these prayers to have the most impact, the players have to be receptive, and the best way to be receptive is to be open-hearted and joyful. So any indications that the Sox are losing the joy focus that marked their successful 2004 season would be a bad sign. And that’s what I’m beginning to notice as the 2006 season unfolds.
The hallmark of joy/love/compassion (throw in any other synonym you’d like for the mushy team-building feeling that macho ballplayers don’t like to acknowledge) is the ability to enjoy the present moment, and not be hung up by past concerns and problems and conflicts. Do you put your energy into appreciation of the present or into resentment of the past? What better way to see where Red Sox Nation is at emotionally than to watch how the fans react when they see games against former Red Sox players who have moved on to other teams. Many key players have left – Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Kevin Millar. But the one who’s truly on the hot seat for leaving is Johnny Damon, because he’s done the unthinkable by signing a big contract with the Yankees. So how would the fans treat his return to Fenway in Yankee pinstripes?
The test came a few weeks ago, when the Yankees visited Fenway for the first time since Damon's move. When Johnny stepped up to the plate to lead off the game, how did the crowd greet him? With a warm round of applause in appreciation and gratitude for his years of service to the Sox? Or with a torrent of boos to officially label him as a turncoat? Or maybe even a blend? I was hoping for an initial wave of cheers, and then maybe a few catcalls. I was hoping that we still had enough of a reservoir of positive feelings from 2004 that we could let our better natures show, and not get caught up in old patterns of negativity.
Well guess what? As USA Today reported, “Johnny Damon stepped to the plate to lead off the game, and was booed for 30 seconds by the crowd at Fenway Park.”As former teammate Kevin Youkilis said, “It was kind of sad. He acknowledged the crowd (by tipping his helmet) and they didn’t want any part of it.” So grudges and resentment won out over gratitude and appreciation. And according to the Joy of Sox theory, that doesn’t bode well for the Sox this year. If their hearts are closing, they can’t receive the energies of our prayerful intent. I hope I’m wrong, but time will tell.
The “Joy of Sox” theory, in a nutshell, states that sports teams get an extra boost when their fans cheer, pray and pay atttention to them, whether right there at the stadium or from the distant comfort of home. But in order for these prayers to have the most impact, the players have to be receptive, and the best way to be receptive is to be open-hearted and joyful. So any indications that the Sox are losing the joy focus that marked their successful 2004 season would be a bad sign. And that’s what I’m beginning to notice as the 2006 season unfolds.
The hallmark of joy/love/compassion (throw in any other synonym you’d like for the mushy team-building feeling that macho ballplayers don’t like to acknowledge) is the ability to enjoy the present moment, and not be hung up by past concerns and problems and conflicts. Do you put your energy into appreciation of the present or into resentment of the past? What better way to see where Red Sox Nation is at emotionally than to watch how the fans react when they see games against former Red Sox players who have moved on to other teams. Many key players have left – Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Kevin Millar. But the one who’s truly on the hot seat for leaving is Johnny Damon, because he’s done the unthinkable by signing a big contract with the Yankees. So how would the fans treat his return to Fenway in Yankee pinstripes?
The test came a few weeks ago, when the Yankees visited Fenway for the first time since Damon's move. When Johnny stepped up to the plate to lead off the game, how did the crowd greet him? With a warm round of applause in appreciation and gratitude for his years of service to the Sox? Or with a torrent of boos to officially label him as a turncoat? Or maybe even a blend? I was hoping for an initial wave of cheers, and then maybe a few catcalls. I was hoping that we still had enough of a reservoir of positive feelings from 2004 that we could let our better natures show, and not get caught up in old patterns of negativity.
Well guess what? As USA Today reported, “Johnny Damon stepped to the plate to lead off the game, and was booed for 30 seconds by the crowd at Fenway Park.”As former teammate Kevin Youkilis said, “It was kind of sad. He acknowledged the crowd (by tipping his helmet) and they didn’t want any part of it.” So grudges and resentment won out over gratitude and appreciation. And according to the Joy of Sox theory, that doesn’t bode well for the Sox this year. If their hearts are closing, they can’t receive the energies of our prayerful intent. I hope I’m wrong, but time will tell.
posted by Rick Leskowitz,MD at 9:38 AM
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