Playing on the Road
It is hard to play on the road, but it’s tough to put finger on the reasons for a team’s road difficulties. Sometimes, certain places are just tough on a team. The Red Sox always have trouble in Oakland. We swept them in the 1975 playoffs and that was the last time a Red Sox team had consistent success in that city. When the Red Sox visit Tampa Bay it can be like running into a brick wall because the Devil Rays play us so tough.Fans think that because athletes are professional they are above the mental aspect of playing in a hostile environment, but it can be in the back of your mind. You try hard to block out everything going on around you but the game, but the environment and the doubts can creep back into your head. I think this is true in any sport. If you look at the home vs. road win splits in any of the major sports, playing at home is clearly an advantage.
The positive side of this is that it is the same way when teams come to Boston - it’s in their head. Boston is a tough place to play in any sport. It was tough for the formerly first place Devil Rays and it will be tough for the Lakers on Sunday.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Tom Caron is chatting on Wednesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. ET on NESN.com.
Heidi Watney is chatting on Friday, June 13, at 1 p.m. ET on NESN.com.
Please spread the word. Thanks.
–Evans Clinchy, new media intern, NESN.com
June 6th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Jim,
Aside from the resurgence of Tampa’s fan base lately with their perch atop the standings, I’ve always (and I’m a Florida resident) perceived the Trop when I go there and watch the Sox play the Rays, as “Fenway South”. For goodness sake, at least half the fans there are wearing Sox gear! That doesn’t exactly qualify as a ‘hostile environment’.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Mr. Rice,
I’m a BIG fan of yours and because I never saw Ted Willams Play I can say without a question you are the best left fielder I’ve ever seen play. And one of the GREATEST to ever play for the Red Sox. Well now that I got that out of the way I just want to ask you a question about playing on the road. For some time now the Sox have played very well in NY, and I think your sox teams did good in NY also. So I have to ask you, how is this? I mean to the fans looking in, I would have to think there is NO more hostile environment than the ZOO in NY, (i still remember the nut that took your hat in 86 or 87) they pack 60,000 fans in there but yet the Sox have problems winning in Tampa Bay. And they barely get 8,000 - 10,000 fans (and I use the term loosely) to show up. So I’m asking someone that was part of this, and still around this team, how is it that they fair so good in what is looked at as the MOST hostile environment and can’t get it going in what looks like the LEST hostile environment in the majors?? Well, great site, and keep up the great work…
June 8th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Mr. Rice,
I’m a BIG fan of yours and because I never saw Ted Willams Play I can say without a question you are the best left fielder I’ve ever seen play. And one of the GREATEST to ever play for the Red Sox. Well now that I got that out of the way I just want to ask you a question about playing on the road. For some time now the Sox have played very well in NY, and I think your sox teams did good in NY also. So I have to ask you, how is this? I mean to the fans looking in, I would have to think there is NO more hostile environment than the ZOO in NY, (i still remember the nut that took your hat in 86 or 87) they pack 60,000 fans in there but yet the Sox have problems winning in Tampa Bay. And they barely get 8,000 - 10,000 fans (and I use the term loosely) to show up. So I’m asking someone that was part of this, and still around this team, how is it that they fair so good in what is looked at as the MOST hostile environment and can’t get it going in what looks like the LEST hostile environment in the majors?? Well, great site, and keep up the great work…
June 9th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Peter,
If your talking about my post, that’s my point I don’t think playing in TB should be as HOSTILE as playing in NY, yet this team has more troblem playing in TB than in NY. And you are right, it does feel like “Fenway south” when I go down there also.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Pfft, who wants to talk to Tom Caron?! ;X This is definitely the first time I’ve seen NESN spamming blogs with comments about a live chat, intriguing.
Anyway, I went to a 4 game series at the Trop in 06 and although it was mostly Sox fans, it was still pretty hostile.
Not only do they have to deal with that heckler (Is he still around? I haven’t heard him lately. My friends and I called his house repeatedly and heckled him over the phone for ruining 3 straight Red Sox games for us by screaming in our ears. Ah, to be young again..) but they have to deal with those stupid cowbells. For the love of god, how are those things a good idea? I wish they would burn all cowbells, waving towels, and thunder sticks.