Rant

It's been a week since the Red Sox finally conquered the "evil empire" to the south, and as the Boston Dirt Dogs continue their quest for their first World Series Championship since 1918, those of us who understand what this team is really about realize they have already won.

Not the World Series. It's possible they could go down to the likes of Pujols, Rolen and the other superstar Redbirds. What the Bosox achieved last week in finally defeating the clean-cut, corporate-driven Yanks was a much more satisfying victory.

You don't believe me? Then ask yourself why the population of Red Sox Nation numbers in the tens of millions throughout the Western world. Most don't know a "grindah" (submarine sandwich) from a 'Gansett (beer). They don't know Seekonk from Shelburne Falls. They couldn't find Hubbardston if their lives depended on it. And forget about even trying to pronounce Worcester.

But we in Red Sox Nation know each other on sight, and we all love the Sox for their bad hair, their dirty, ill-fitting uniforms and their ability to laugh at themselves.

And so, to bullying bosses, hypocritical human resources officers and so-called public servants who know all the buzzwords but really are interested only in CYA: Enjoy your miserable lives, but stop trying to put us down as nonconformists.--Bob Shemeligian