This may be blasphemy on this board, but I am curious: do most posters on talksox consider a season successful only if your team wins the World Series?
Anyone who grew up last century knows that Red Sox years in the 70s, 80s and 90s didn't just end, but often imploded amid utter ridicule and internal scarring. This century overall has been great, even with some last place finishes and the worst ending ever in '03 (followed by redemption in ’04).
Old Yankee fans grew up expecting to win titles, and I know many who still won't accept anything less than a ring as a good season. Ironically, modern Yankee fans under the age of 10 don't view championships as a birthright, since they've yet to experience one. Meanwhile, the script has flipped for young Sox fans.
Obviously, only one team ever wins the final game of any sports season. But champions celebrate on our screens all year, every year. Technically, all other teams are losers… but that doesn't make them all failures.
The attitude of “win it all or it’s all for naught” can set folks up for a lifetime of disappointment and bitterness. As a spectator, I want the season to be worth watching and following -- with hope -- from the beginning to almost the ending. I want to watch the best Red Sox team possible to have a chance to win in every season. How about you?