SYMPATHY FOR THE RED SOX

Among my 2007 holiday swag was the nine DVD collection of every game of the 1986 World Series, plus the sixth and deciding game of the NLCS.

I have now watched the playoff game and the first WS game.

And going back to the beginning and starting with game one of the series raises the whole experience-- which exists in the memory as high drama-- to the level of Classical tragedy.

At the outset of that first broadcast, Vin Scully notes the heroic effort being put forth by Bill Buckner.

Scully returns again and again to the image of the hobbled warrior, who is earning the respect of friend and foe just by being out there.

And it is truly painful to watch, particularly when Scully points out that one of Buckner’s legs has atrophied due to his injuries. You squint a little and swear that you can notice the difference.

Then with the Sox holding a 1-0 lead, John McNamara replaces Buckner with Dave Stapleton for defensive purposes, and even the most hardened Mets fan must get a catch in the throat.

I muttered “Learn from that” under my breath when I watched this time around, but of course destiny did not listen...