First off, I think leaving one team to go to their bitter rival defies everything I know and love about the competitive nature of sports, and I don't understand it. For more on this concept I highly recommend reading my Clear Headed Ray Allen Reaction piece from when he spurned the Celtics for the Heat. From a "traitor to the fans perspective," Ellsbury picking New York is worse than Allen choosing Miami. We had Ray for just 5 seasons when he was already past his prime, and after he'd been with two other organizations previously. Jacoby was a home grown product who'd been with Boston his entire career, ever since they drafted him in 2005. Former Red Sox stars gone Yankee Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Johnny Damon also rank below Ellsbury on the treachery list. Neither Boggs nor Clemens won a championship in Boston, Boggs was nearing the end of the line, and Clemens went to Toronto first. Like Allen Damon came to Beantown as the third stop of his career, and was only here for four seasons.
But the biggest difference between Ellsbury and Damon is that Damon chose New York in 2005, a year removed from winning the World Series. He stuck around for the encore/victory tour. Jacoby just won it all 35 days ago, and now he's gone. His 2013 championship moments are now decidedly over. After the parade last month I suffered from a major post-title let down; what else was there to look forward to? But the thought of next spring's home opener and the World Series ring celebration gives me goosebumps all over again. I'd like to believe that's a major source of excitement for the Red Sox players as well. On April 4th, 2014 they'll get the chance to relive their glory together in front of 38,000 screaming and adoring fans. Ellsbury on the other hand will come back to Fenway 18 days later as a lone mercenary, to a mixed bag of boos and applause.
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