in the past few days since the red sox won the world series, john kerry has mentioned their unlikely comeback victory in several of his speeches. the cynical among us would call that blatant opportunism from a senator who just happens to have the fortune of being from the same state as the winning team. and perhaps it is. but john kerry, and all of us, could learn a lesson from the hometown heroes.

this was a team on the brink of disaster. moments away from being swept out of the playoffs by the new york yankees, there was little to be optimistic about. with the weight of a heavy history hanging over their heads, the outcome seemed a foregone conclusion. many fans, sensing the inevitable doom, wrote off another wasted season. no sane person would’ve bet money on a sox win.

there’s just one thing: the sox never got the memo. no one informed them they were supposed to lay down and die. and lo and behold, they dug deep and won an exhausting game four. they tapped into unknown reserves and somehow did it again in game 5. they put on a brave face, sutured up the ankles, and gutted out an astounding game 6. and suddenly, unexpectedly, anything was possible. suddenly, the door was wide open. and they walked right through.

they knew it all along. when the fenway faithful dimmed, when the odds were a bazillion-to-one, they continued to do what they do best – play their hearts out. like the little steam engine that could, they continue to chug along. there is honor in winning. but there is more honor in trying your best when everything is stacked against you and the whole world expects you to fail. you can do the impossible, no matter who says you can’t. your parents taught you that same lesson – just try your best and believe in yourself, and you can be whatever you want. they were not wrong.

never give up, because anything is possible for those who believe. it’s cliched, but true. the underdog sometimes does win. the call does sometimes go your way. sometimes you do get a second chance. and the fairytale ending *can* happen. sometimes it doesn’t…

but sometimes it does.

here’s hoping a little faith, a lot of optimism, and a touch of baseball magic can go a long way. go kerry!

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