WALTHAM, Mass. – Monday night’s series-ending 4-3 loss for the Boston Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians was a bittersweet time for Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier.
The Youngstown, Ohio native is in his second season with the Celtics and has come to love and embrace the passion that folks in New England have for all their sports teams.
So the idea that so many are devastated by the loss, made even worst because it's curtain call on the amazing career of David Ortiz, leaves Rozier feeling sadness and empathy for Red Sox Nation.
But as a die-hard Indians fan, Rozier couldn’t help but privately relish the fact that his hometown team was moving on to play the Toronto Blue Jays for the right to represent the American League in the World Series.
Rozier said he has been balancing his emotions for his home team while respecting Red Sox fans, all season.
When asked about the key to balancing those two things, he told CSNNE.com, “Staying away from social media as much as I can. When (the Indians) win I don’t want to put much up (on social media). I don’t want the Boston fans getting mad at me. I show Boston some love.
Rozier added, “I want the Red Sox to do good. But when they go up against my home team, that puts me in a tough position.”
But for most sports fans and athletes from Ohio like Rozier, what’s happening now in their state among the professional sports teams – most of them anyway - is unusual.
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the reigning NBA champions, something few – even those who grew up in Ohio – thought would ever happen.
And now the Indians are playing in the American League Championship Series for the right to move on to the World Series.
The area’s newfound success is not lost on Rozier.
“It’s big time. It’s happening, finally. Me growing up as a kid, we didn’t get any love,” Rozier said. “We had bad luck, being cursed, all the bad things you can say. Now all we got to do is get the Browns together. But it’s good for the city; good for my family, the city and that whole area.”