DAVIDHERSH

I've been wearing my Red Sox cap around the city for a number of years now. It's certainly generated plenty of unsolicited comments. Believe it or not, right here behind enemy lines, there are actually a lot of Red Sox fans, so I do get a lot of "Go Sox!" comments. Of course, there are also plenty of "Red Sox Suck!" (and other more colorful variations on that theme), many of which surprisingly come from mom's pushing strollers. I mean, I expect it from the drunken college kids, but not from the upper west side stroller posse!

My attitude in wearing my Sox cap here in the city has, admittedly, mostly been a humble one. Yeah, I know we haven't won the series in an eternity, and yeah, I know that the Yankees have shut the door on us countless times, but I'm still a proud and loyal fan. I've even risked physical harm by wearing the cap to Yankee stadium. That definitely makes you a magnet for abuse, but one charming Yankee fan did tell me that even though my team sucked, he respected me for wearing my colors. Gee, thanks!

All of that, of course, changed over the course of nine innings last night. Despite the seemingly comfortable lead, we're trained to expect the worst so it was stressful right up until the last out. But, it wasn't a dream and we did in fact beat the Yankees in the most heroic of ways and are off to the World Series!

When I went out for a walk today, I couldn't help but have a little smirk on my face as I caught people glimpsing my cap. Regardless of what happens in the Series, I'm pretty sure I'll be wearing that smirk (and my Red Sox cap) for the next year.