On the importance of spring training

Yes, it's great to root for our world champions (especially given how they squashed the Evil Ones in the ALCS). But Tao of Manny says there is oh so much more to being a Sox fan this spring (indeed, any spring):

... People on the outside thought it was an obsession with winning The First World Series Since Babe Ruth Was Sold To The Yankees. But, it's just rooting for our team, going into a General Store (or a Cumby's) and hearing the game on the radio, watching balls go off and over The Wall, getting asked "what happened in the game?" and knowing there's only one game they could be talking about, smelling the sausages on the way into the game, and a thousand other associations redolent of home. The Red Sox are home, they are The Olde Towne Team. ... They are the seasons passing; they are summer and fall. And they are most assuredly spring. ...