The Ultimate Debate: Sox or Pats, Part 7

Previous parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Seven weeks ago, I kicked off the Ultimate Debate, as I set out to try to determine which Boston team - the Pats or Sox - takes precedent in my life as a sports fan. I've covered the first six factors, and today marks the end. It's the final frontier. The last of the Mohicans. The final countdown. The end of an era. The grand finale. The...well, you get the point.

Here's a quick rundown of prior weeks' coverage. To check out any previous installments, click on any of the above numbers.
Part 1: Knowledge (Red Sox, 1-0)
Part 2: Tenure (Patriots, 1-1)
Part 3: Players (Red Sox, 2-1)
Part 4: Thrill of Victory (Red Sox, 3-1)
Part 5: Agony of Defeat (Patriots, 2-3)
Part 6: Apparel (Tie, Red Sox, 3-2)

We'll wrap up the debate with the final factor, je ne sais quoi, or, as Dr. Evil describes it, "It's what the French call a certain...I don't know what."

Je Ne Sais Quoi

The six previous factors that I have covered, I believe, most completely define a particular person as a fan of a given team. Of course, there are other factors that go into this determination, which, perhaps in the opinion of other fans, may carry more weight than these six. That's why I've included this final factor into the debate.

The "je ne sais quoi" factor is designed to capture all of those residual, and sometimes intangible and immeasureable, characteristics of a team that draw fans. These other factors contribute to the overall allure of a team and compose a team's general aura and mystique. There's seemingly an endless list of these residual factors, but would include traits such as ownership, stadium, fan experience, coaching, and history.

My wife makes for a great demonstration on multiple levels as to how a team's je ne sais quoi can draw you in as a fan. When my wife and I first met, she was not a football fan at all. She probably couldn't have told you the difference between a safety and a safety pin. But, since that's all I watched on Sundays in the fall and winter, she became exposed to the Patriots and football in general. What attracted her to New England, though, were things I haven't mentioned in this whole debate series, the je ne sais quoi factor, if you will. What attracted her were the uniforms, of course, and the fact that the Pats were good. (She also started off liking the Titans because of their unis, but that interest has since waned.) Since, she's gotten more caught up in the player factor as she has found herself breathless by Tom Brady's hunky looks.

On the other hand, my wife has always been a baseball fan (which is why I married her). When we met, though, she was a Braves fan. This problem was quickly resolved with a couple trips to Fenway Park. As it would to anyone, the city and the Fenway atmosphere converted her to a Sox fan. And I am now proud to say that my wife is a diehard Sox fan who hearts Jacoby Ellsbury.

As for me, there are certain distinct qualities of each team's je ne sais quoi that draw me in. The following examples are not exhaustive, but will shed some light on the situation.

Both the Patriots and Red Sox have established highly competent front offices and coaching staffs. Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli have done a remarkable job of scouting, talent recognition, and maximizing the value of the players they bring in. Terry Francona has done the unthinkable by leading the Sox to two World Series titles in four years after 86 years without a championship. Theo Epstein has built a culture that relies on player development and low-risk draft selections which has led to what some consider to be the best farm system in the Majors.

As businesses and organizations, both franchises are highly respected and regarded. In some ways, they've each

As sure as Bob Kraft will wear this shirt for every Patriots home game will Fenway Park make anyone a Sox fan.

become the poster organization for their respective sport on how to run a team. They're both financially responsible; the Patriots refuse to overpay any individual player, and the Red Sox have made significant progress since the days of Dan Duquette. Outside of Spygate, both organizations appear to conduct themselves ethically and with social responsibility. It certainly makes it easier to side with an organization who will not promote irresponsible conduct and will not consistently make questionable personnel decisions. Robert Kraft and John Henry deserve a world of credit.

Shifting gears a bit...

Fenway Park is the most magical place on the face of the earth. It's more magical than Disney World. There's a constant buzz that is invigorating. The atmosphere is unmatchable. During the three (or more) hours that the Red Sox are playing, only two songs matter: Sweet Caroline and Dirty Water. Sports fans everywhere know what the Green Monster and Pesky's Pole are. The place is incredible. Hell, you can find it on Monopoly's Here and Now Edition. And it's, what, 96 years old?

To be fair, I have never been to the Razor to experience a Patriots game. I have heard nothing but great things, though. The stadium, I hear, is immaculate and world-class. From the handful of Patriots away games I've attended (Buffalo, Cleveland), I can imagine how electric the atmosphere must be. And if I know Bostonians, in general, like I think I do, the place has to be 99.99% full of Pats fans on game day. But since I've never had the pleasure of attending Gillette for a Patriots game, Fenway gives the Sox an edge.

Some other notes on je ne sais quoi:

• Taking a page from my wife's book, the Pats get the edge with uniforms and the logo. The Pats also get an additional edge for the old school logos.


• I'm not sure if this is a statement about my nature or the nature of the respective sports, but I find myself with an interest in other baseball teams like the Pirates and Reds, for example. Meanwhile, there is not a single other team that I have even a slight interest in other than the Patriots in the NFL. A notch for the Pats.


• The Red Sox have a storied history from players like Ted Williams, Cy Young, and Carlton Fisk, a stadium like Fenway, and moments like Babe Ruth, Bill Buckner, Dave Henderson, and David Ortiz. The Patriots are starting to finally establish some history after a previously forgettable tradition of futility.

In the end, I've got to favor the Sox. When you think of je ne sais quoi, you have to think of teams like the Red Sox. Je ne sais quoi is defined as a certain, inexplicable natural appeal. And what team empowers that more than the Red Sox? From Fenway Park to the team's storied history, you can't get away from it. It's almost gravitational.

Advantage: Red Sox

We've finally come to the end. I wanted to determine of which team I was a bigger fan, the Red Sox or Patriots, and I think I have done that. While the Red Sox have won by a 4-2-1 margin on paper, I do not think I can say that I am totally convinced that I would be a Red Sox fan if the Sox and Pats played in some World Bowl Super Series. So, for the sake of waffling, I am going to borrow the line I used in Part 1 when I likened this debate to choosing between children:

"I love you both equally."