There's been interesting discussion prompted in New England these days: that we're the center of the sports universe.

We don't know what will come of our shiny and new Celtics lineup, but it sure looks pretty. The Patriots have suggested thus far this season that they are as close to unstoppable as a team that has to play on any given Sunday (or Monday) can be. The Bruins have decided to stop lurking in the shadows and prove that Boston does in fact have a professional hockey team - and a pretty good one, at that. The Revs are in the playoffs. BC is holding down the #2 spot. And we have this baseball team that's doing rather well.

It's doing wonky things to us, all of this success. It's making longtime fans of Boston sports teams discuss things like Pat the Patriot, 1986, and the days of the Big Three at the original Garden.

These fans find themselves faced with two tasks: to prove that we've suffered enough over the years to enjoy some dizzying displays of victory, and as Dan Shaugnessy points out, to tell the newer generation of fans (the people who weren't able to enjoy all of the agony of the past) how it was and how it ought to be. We're muttering, "Be careful, kid, they'll break your heart."

We're agreeing with Shaughnessy, people: things are strange. Although we're not going to even think about telling newer folks about who the "real" fans are: that's something that Shaughnessy and the bar crowds can handle on their own. We're all-inclusive here at Bostonist.

Today it's about baseball. The Sox. In Denver. Game 3 of the World Series and another opportunity for Daisuke Matsuzaka to prove his big-game, big-money worth. All we need to focus on is the game, now that (hopefully) Jacoby Ellsbury has eliminated FOX's need to pimp out the Taco Talk.

Now it's about Francona's decision to start Ortiz on first base over Youkilis (let it be noted: this Bostonist disagrees with that decision); the way the ball moves when it's flying from a field a mile above sea level; and how Josh Fogg will fare facing down a batter AND a 2-0 series deficit tonight. It's about figuring out where you'll be watching the game, with whom, and determining around the eighth inning tonight just what excuse you're going to have ready for your bosses on Monday morning if the Sox are going to be poised to sweep on Sunday night.

It's about a ballgame tonight that will take place thousands of miles away, yet keep Boston riveted back home in the Hub.

Image by flickr user prawnpie.