[AZTarHeel]

Well, I did it again.

I just got back from the box office, shelling out big bucks for my 2004 Boston Red Sox season tickets. Yeah, I know – this is my 40th year of buying seats in section 100. Call me a glutton for punishment.

For the past four decades, my wife and I have gone to through the springs and summers thinking this would be THE year. Then every October, we’re crying in our suds like pouting kids. Such is life if you’re a part of the Red Sox Nation.

We’ve been punched in the gut countless times it seems: The 1967 Series when the Cardinals battered a weary Jim Lonborg in Game 7. The ’75 Series and Joe Morgan’s blooper in the top of the ninth. The ’86 Series and Bill Buckner and stranding 14 men on base in Game 6. And of course last year’s ALCS against the Evil Empire. Grady Little leaving Pedro in too long. Having the World Series logo painted on the Fenway grass prematurely. And Aaron Boone – you know what nickname we have for him!! – hitting that 11th inning home run off Tim Wakefield in Game 7. Uggg.

I think the Boston Globe summed it best when they called last season’s ouster the most gut-wrenching of them all. As columnist Bob Ryan said: “The Red Sox always play in the big games, but they never wind up pouring the champagne. Would it spoil some vast eternal plan if the Red Sox could win one?”

Amen to that.

Well, I’ve decided that this is it for me. I’m giving Boston one more chance to win the big one – to shake this curse of the Bambino if you will – or I’m out. If we don’t win it all in 2004 – and I’m not just talking about the AL Pennant here – I’m jumping ship. I’m writing off this franchise, never going back to the Fens and leaving behind the game of baseball altogether!!

OK, you know I can never do that. I’ve invested way too much of my life in this team. I bleed Red Sox colors as do my kids and now my grandkids.

But it sure would be nice to savor the champagne for a change…