All They Need Is Each Other (Especially Papi)

This past weekend, the journalists hanging around the Boston clubhouse were met with the Red Sox players walking around in some new T-shirts. According to Peter Gammons' latest article at espn.com, where you now have to pay to read his words (If you ask Bostonist, it's well worth it), the Sox are walking around in custom-made T's saying "F*** Everybody" on the front and "All We Have Is Each Other" on the back. Let's examine just what that's supposed to mean.

Long season, many games, middle of the summer; The passion and obsession of a city steeped in history and, when it comes to the Red Sox, disappointment. Add "Defending World Champions" to the front of their title and you've got yourself an almost unfathomable amount of scrutiny and attention focused on an already anxious group of baseball players. Don't forget the ultra-critical and borderline insane fanbase - an entire NATION - who are quick to boo when they don't see the results they're supposed to, and the notoriously unforgiving Boston sports media. How the hell do you deal with such pressure? Some couldn't. Mark Bellhorn admitted to letting the boos get to him at home, so his numbers dropped at home. We all know what happened to him. For the Sox that remain, they circle the wagons, get all Sister Sledge up in this piece, and take care of their own. In public, they defend their teammates because they have to. They can't allow any more drama to intensify the situation any further.

They're a family, they're sticking together, and when the going gets tough, they look up to the Papi and hope he comes through ... like last night. Sox 3 - Angels 2!