Customer Reviews

Why Not Us?: The 86-year Journey of the Boston Red Sox Fans From Unparalleled Suffering to the Promised Land of the 2004 World Series

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Much like the Sports Illustrated Sportsmen of the Year issue, this book is for the fans and about the fans. Montville tells his own story, that of his family, and that of hundreds of Sox fans. Touching stuff. Anyone who has rooted for the sox for 1 year or 100 years shares in this book and has a part to play in the story of the 2004 sox. You will definitely see yourself in the stories in this book. Whether it be the 8-year-old who cries for weeks after Nomar was traded, or the chapter of "Win it for..." this book is bound to have something for every one. Hard not to tear up! A+ book that captures the essence of being a Sox fan much better than Stephen King's "Faithful."

I have lived in Boston since 1964 and am about the same age as Leigh Montville. Over those years, I've loved his wonderful writing in the Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated and now in his books. I think he's done an important service in writing this book because in future years the unbelievable experience of having been a frustrated Red Sox fan all those years will be lost. Yet that perspective was a dominant one in the area for the 42 years I've been here. In a sense, you cannot understand New Englanders unless you appreciate their long suffering with the Red Sox. It's like the way we put up with the winters . . . assuming that spring will follow. Those who take the easy road just head to Florida. It seemed ironic that the Florida Marlins quickly captured the World Series after being founded while the Red Sox continued to toil below the top.

Anyone who has been a Red Sox fan should read this book. You'll discover dimensions of fan-ship that you never expected.

I also recommend that the book be shared with young fans who don't know anything about the Curse of the Bambino, Buckner's fielding or Pedro's last stint in 2003. If you do share the book with younger people, I suggest you write out or record your own fan experiences during the 86 year drought to help extend the heritage of your loyalty in the face of frustration.

The book describes from a number of perspectives how the Red Sox went from 1918 to 2004 without any World Championships . . . and explores those tantalizing moments when they came close in the last 40 years. Leigh Montville also recounts his own career and connection to the Red Sox . . . and his feelings as a fan. He also tells how the 2004 championship came together. From there, he launches off into a number of other perspectives as fans reflected on what the past had meant. One of the longest sections is of posts to the Sons of Sam Horn website. If you are like me, you'll feel a tear or two start to form as you read some of those posts. Mr. Montville then expands to include some of the most unlikely fans you'll ever meet. Anyone who has ever visited Fenway has probably entered one of the local taverns. Mr. Montville enters the Baseball Tavern on Brookline Avenue to give you the view from behind the counter. In The Victory Story, he picks up threads of important precursors to the victory. Perhaps the most interesting one is of the Epstein family.

To me the most important section was called "The Moral of the Story" where he opined about what our long relationship with the Red Sox says about us.

The book ends on a slightly delirious and funny note as Mr. Montville tells us about his taunting relationship with a Yankee fan . . . and what 2004 was like for him. That section includes his essay for the Globe's special memento edition.

...you will love this book...especially the 5th chapter, The Amazing Thread...i guarantee you will have tears in your eyes, and want to share it with all other Red Sox fans. Leigh Montville has written a book that is a compilation of stories by and about the people of Red Sox Nation...players, fans, managers, owners...and he has done a wonderful job. He has always been a great writer, and with this book he touches our hearts as no one else can. My only regret is that it isn't longer, but maybe he'll write a sequel after this season. (Hope springs eternal for this Red Sox fan!)

Not just for Sox junkies. Avid sports fans love rivalries, as it elevates the players, and takes the game to the next level. Perhaps the greatest rivalry in modern sports is the Red Sox and the Yankees. Anyone who lived, drank, jumped up and down, and survived the 2004 series between the two knows the electricity in the air for that monumental series was never greater in a century of sports. This book is penned by one of the great sportswriters or our era, Leigh Montville. Leigh writes for the Boston Globe, and he is the master of describing the trials and tribulations of the great Boston teams that get oh so close to fame, but never seem to grasp the champagne. Quite a great perspective here from both the writer and sports fan at heart, covering the Sox and their troubles from 1918 to today. Pick this one up and kick back in the recliner. It's a great one.

I am surprised that more people have not reviewed this book. All Red Sox fans should read "Why Not Us," which tells the story of other Red Sox Fans and their tears and disappointment throughout the years and their joy and adulation when the Boston Red Sox finally win the World Series after 86 years. A very poignant and touching book. A must for all die hard fans and bandwagoneers alike.

86 years, EIGHTY-SIX YEARS we waited. Years that we came so close. The only thing that remained constant was the loyalty of the fans, the Red Sox Nation, we almost had to revel in underdog status.

At least the story can be told. The years we came so close, yet wound up so far away. One game from the championship so many times.

This is quite a story, it goes into detail from before I was born, players that I've only heard of. It's a wonderful story, and timed perfectly. Get a copy before the next season. Of course we'll win again, but then there will be a new book.

Yes, the RedSox were swept in the post season playoffs of 2005...and who dropped out of the playoffs only 3 days later?...Why, none other than the highest paid team in baseball. You know who I mean, right? Here's another hint: I'm talking about the team that made the biggest choke in majorleague baseball history...the Yankees. In fact they were denied a championship by the Angels not once but TWICE in the past 5 years. Cry me a river, Moochie.

I think I can speak for all Sox fans (and indeed all baseball fans) in saying how much I thoroughly enjoy seeing postings like the one below from "moochie" -- it just shows how fresh the pain still is, even a year after the fact!!!

Wow, a whole book of red sox fans talking about being red sox fans - some, no doubt, even in the offseason. A more narcissistic bunch of sports fans could hardly be imagined - their constant yapping makes me want to weep and vomit simultaneously and "unparallelled suffering"? Cry me a river, meatheads.