Skip to main content

The Fear of No Fear

"What is your biggest fear?"

I was once asked this question about four years ago. As always, when asked a question of such personal magnitude, I wanted to take a moment to select a proper answer that truly captures and accentuates my absolute greatest fear. So, I brainstormed for several seconds, going over the many things that lock up my nerves and paralyze my mental ability. After honestly reviewing it in my mind twice, I came up with the answer of...

"The Boston Red Sox winning the World Series."

It was the most logical answer for my feelings, as prior to 2004, the thought of the Red Sox winning was truly frightening. It was the fear of every Yankee fan. Imagining what it would feel like, the annoyance of Red Sox fans, the feeling of defeat for New Yorkers, and most of all, the end of our greatest edge over the Red Sox- a psychological advantage. However, the Red Sox are cursed, right? That could never happen our my lifetime. No worries.

Then 2004 happened.

A year that no Yankee fan likes to mention. A year which saw a catastrophic collapse, a remarkable story, and the rise of "Red Sox Nation." A year that has been thrown out of every Yankee fan's history book like four day old leftovers. Along with it went the belief in curses and old Babe Ruth folklore.

Yes, 2004 felt like the world was upside down. Something so strange that it could not be explained, because in some fashion, it could not be comprehended. A feeling that can only be explained as eerie, making many believers in the term, "twilight zone."However, shortly after, everything seemed to be well on its way to returning to familiar ground. Red Sox swept out of playoffs in 2005. Miss Playoffs in 2006. Yankees once again gaining advantage in the rivalry, and looking as stellar as ever on paper (Hence, only on paper).

Yes, things seemed to be slowly returning to normal. It would take years to rebuild it, but it was well on its way until...

2007.

Another Red Sox World Series Championship. What was once a fear, has become a nightmare. No longer are we afraid of what can happen, but now, what will happen. The Red Sox have pulled off another spectacular October with a team that looks poised to make a run next year as well. This time around, the feeling isn't as weird, because sadly, every Yankee fan has been in this position before. Now, its two championships in the last four years. It has become a little familiar. Our fear is now gone. We have become desensitized. With the Red Sox on top of the world again, our fear now is that the fear is no longer there.

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...