Local Red Sox fans find dreams dashed

BANGOR – Several new professions of faith in the “curse” were made at the Ground Round Thursday night, where scores of Boston Red Sox faithful gathered to watch their team take on their archrivals, the New York Yankees, in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

The Yankees spoiled the evening with a 6-5 victory in 11 innings.

Sox gains, from the first home run to the last Yankee strikeout, were hailed with cheers, banging on tables, and loud clapping. The Yankees’ prowess caught little notice until the bottom of the seventh inning, when idle chatter died down and groans became more than audible.

Earlier in the game, a fan named Bob, originally from Boston, pointed out that the Red Sox were just “one stupid freak play away from losing.” He later added, “For any Rd Sox fan, it’s not if they’re going to let you down, just when.”

Another fan, Maria, originally from New York, said she was rooting for the Sox because she is a Mets fan. Larry Dutch, from Belfast, said he has followed baseball since his childhood, but wouldn’t care what happens if the Red Sox lost.

In town on the way to Boston, Bob MacGlashen, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, said this game meant everything to him. MacGlashen said he has been a fan for 53 years, since he saw Ted Williams’ last home run in Fenway Park. “Forget about curses,” he said in the top of the 11the inning, “These boys are phenomenal.”

Chris Leen, of Bangor, said he converted to the Red Sox from the Yankees five years ago. “Good God, I just hope they win. The curse? I just want it to go bye-bye.” Others at Leen’s table pointed out how hard it is to not believe in the curse – “But it’s going to be axed tonight!”

A minute later, curses flooded the sports lounge as the Yankees swung their way into the World Series.

Joe, from Cleveland, Ohio, said he became a Red Sox fan three years ago “because the Indians [stink].” His take on the game: “Grady Little, as a manager, [stinks]. He left Pedro in there a little too long and lost the game for us.”

Sitting on the bench outside the Ground Round, as the crowd rapidly vanished, Kevin DeBeck, of Brewer, said, “I had my hopes up. I was hoping that just maybe, just maybe, they were going to beat them. I should’ve seen it coming.”