Yet the fans remain. The unique sociological phenomenon that grips New England each sports season is a perverse yet sacred masochism. We live and die with our teams. We suffer, sacrifice, and rejoice--and inevitably, suffer again.
A large segment of the New England population derives its identity from the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics. Cheering for these teams draws all New Englanders together, from Kennebunkport to Roxbury.
But, like our Puritan forefathers, we New Englanders need to punish ourselves, and to insulate ourselves from the heathen. By banding together to affirm our allegiance to the Almighty Sox-Bruins-Celts, we share a communal misery (and occasionally a communal jubilation) that confirms our faith and purifies our sporting souls.
The Patriots nearly joined the Holy Trinity of Boston sports teams this season. Newly-converted fans worshipped the Pats with a quasi-religious devotion normally reserved for the other teams in town. Thousands made a holy pilgrimage to the Super Bowl shrine.
Then the Superdome became Golgotha, and the Pats were forsaken.
We are doing penance for the Patriots, as we New Englanders have done so many times before. Yet faith will someday save us.
Spring training begins in three weeks.