It’s Good To Be A Bruins Fan!
It’s kinda weird being a Boston Bruins fan these days. I mean, forever we were shunned, laughed off, ignored, and ridiculed. Most objective observers would agree that the Bruins fan was the last true fan of the four major sports teams. Much like their team, Bruins fans are hardened. They know the game, they know their team, and they know how to be fans.
We’re also lucky to live in such a rabid sports market with great sports talk radio. Bruins fans finally have a legitimate place to talk sports at 98.5 the
Sports Hub. When they opened their airwaves, not only were they flagship station for all the Bruins games, but they hired the likes of Toucher and Rich, who had long been one of the few radio people who talked Bruins. They also Michael Felger. The often controversial, sometimes whiny, always oppositional sports writer, was also one of the few people who validated Bruins fans and gave them a forum to talk about their beloved team on his 890 ESPN radio show. I still do miss that opening theme song to his show. I was a chronic and one of a handful of listeners to a show that was quite good, but never got the support or wattage to be successful. But I digress…
So back to why it’s good to be a Bruins Fan. It hit me the other day while listening to Felger and Mazz. Out of about 5 callers during one stretch, there were two Bruins calls, discussing how the Bruins have been able to go on such a winning streak. The other three callers were Celtics fans, sounding demoralized, trying to somehow explain away the Boston Celtics 0-3 start, and just all around pathetic! I hate to say I found some joy in that moment, but for a long suffering Bruins fan, it was hard not to. I don’t know who are worse the Celtic “Green-Teamers” or the Red Sox “Pink Hats”. This is not a slam on 80% of these teams fans, I consider myself one. But listening to those Celtic fans in panic mode, trying to keep everyone calm, was some hot radio action!
I don’t mind Basketball. Really, I don’t. But it’s my least favorite sport to watch and listen to being discussed. On top of that, during most of my childhood Celtic fans were gloaters, and I resented that. Basketball just started and I’m already sick of the “Green-Teamers”. Now the tables have turned. The Bruins truly are on top of the mountain in Boston Sports.
The Boston Red Sox are a mess. The Celtics are old and “secretly” rebuilding (I know what you’re up to Danny!). Ainge, I believe is secretly trying to gear up for next off seasons free agent class. Good luck with that!
And the Patriots, unfortunately are a mediocre game from Tom Brady away from the end of their season. The Bruins? Just the hottest team in the NHL. They’re young and improving, which should give a lot of hope to B’s fans.
The weird part for me is that I actually expected there to be more Bruin bandwagon jumpers. I expected them to be talked about a lot more than they are.
At first, I felt offended. “Geez, you win a Stanley Cup and your still not the most talked about team in town?” But the more I thought about it the more I became comforted by the fact that hockey people are different. Hockey isn’t a sport that anyone can just flip on, watch for a few minutes and get it. It’s not a casual fan sport, and I hope it stays that way.
It’s not just the fact that the other teams seem to be in disarray, it’s more of the fact that the Bruins have a hopeful and bright future. The future of the other teams seems so uncertain at this point. It’s also the fact that for too long Bruins fans were second class citizens and now we have the Cup, to back up our dedication. It was well worth the wait!