Would the Sox still be “likable” if they were 4-11?

It’s all anyone mentions when the EEIdiots talk about the Red Sox this season. “They’re so likeable.” “I could enjoy watching this team.” “These players make me want to watch them.”

Why?

Could it have anything to do with the fact that they’re on top of the division with an 11-4 record?

The main players are still the same. The ace, Jon Lester, is the same guy who was so “unwatchable” last year. Get a decent defense behind him, and suddenly he’s a great guy again? Clay Buchholz was soft last year. You couldn’t depend on him being healthy. Get his ERA under 1.00, though, and he’s a great teammate? Fun to watch? Isn’t Ellsbury the guy who was such a problem last year because he was milking his injury? Isn’t Pedroia the same guy who started all the Valentine problems by telling him, “that’s not how we do things here” when everyone “knew” the team needed a change? Now he’s back to being fun and gritty?

Just because they’re winning.

No, no, no, you may say. They brought in all those “great clubhouse” guys. That’s why they’re so much fun to watch. So, if I’m sitting in Section 36 watching the game, it’s more fun to watch if players are having fun in the clubhouse? How do I even know what they’re doing in the clubhouse?

It’s the winning. Winning is more fun that losing. It’s really that simple. It’s not about the characters they have on the team. It’s not that they may or may not get along more. They’re winning, so it’s more fun.

So, let’s stop all this talk about them being a better bunch of guys than last year. They’re the same players. They’re just healthy and playing well.

That’s fun.