It's how you play the game that counts.

I grew up with the Boston Red Sox. Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Tony Conigliaro, Fenway Park, the Citgo sign (Cities Service in my day), the "Green Monster". Mediocre seasons, great seasons culminating in heart-breaking chokes in September.

They were always modest in victory, graceful in defeat. Whever I heard the character building slogan "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game that counts", I thought of the Red Sox. They had a few really good seasons. In 1967 they made it to the playoffs. A few weeks later I entered the Air Force and got busy with hot wars and cold wars for a while and lost track of the Red Sox.

I'd get home on leave to visit my family now and then. My brother-in-law is a sports fan and would update me on the Red Sox activities and chances.

Then in 2004 the Sox got hot. All of New England was cheering them on. This was going to be The Year! And the miracle happened, they didn't slump in September!, they burned through the playoffs, The Boston Red Sox Won The World Series!

This week two player were found to have taken steroids that season.

There is no joy in Mudville...