Dear Mr. Graffanino
Dear Mr. Tony Graffanino,
Don’t sweat it. Things happen. Errors happen, even to sure handed fielders like you. You are a nice guy and look like the guy who collects my 3 bucks every time I drive through the Ted Williams tunnel. But in the post season there are things that just cannot happen. Base running blunders, swinging at poor pitches and errors will kill you in the post season, and especially in a short series. As you know, during the year a killer E can be hidden in 162 games. In a long series, you have to lose 4 so you get an extra game to make up for it. But in the first round of the playoffs, what you did last night can kill you.
Here is my advice for you.
Leave town.
<i>And mother wants you…</i>
When the season is over, leave Boston and forget about this period of your life.
<i>Shane…</i>
When you return to wherever it is you call home, Boston is dead to you.
<i>SHANE!!!</i>
Because as much as people might give you a break, this town will never ever forgive you if the Red Sox lose the series and are knocked out. Because when these Sox fans start drinking and getting riled up, all of a sudden that one, single play is the breaking point. If you made it, the Sox would have won 4-2, Wells would have retired every batter left, they would have won the next 2 and gone on to win the World Series. This town will vilify you like you just spoke ill of Ted Kennedy. They might not chase you to Montana like Buckner and they might not curse your name like Bucky Dent, but people in this town remember everything. They might not be able to pass 9th grade math, but they will remember your name and that play until they are wheeled out of their second floor Somerville apartment after passing from too much drink and bad food.
So from the moment this season is over, pack your locker, get your things from the Fenway Holiday Inn and forget about this place. It is turning its back on you.
Your friend,
Dave