‘What’s the matter with the Red Sox?’
Sure, they had an exciting weekend. But what explains the general fan lethargy this year? Bill Simmons takes a swing at explaining. I’m not buying his ‘time’ argument (or at least the percentage of blame he assigns it). Games are definitely getting longer. It's not good for the game. But it didn’t happen overnight. A large chunk of the fan base didn't all of a sudden decide over the winter to stop tuning into NESN and 'EEI. … I’d assign more blame to 1.) the dullness factor 2.) the post-championships hangover. I’d also add the resurgence of the Celts. I wouldn’t attribute too much to it. But the Sox now have a major competitor for fans’ attention during the spring. I’d give the Celts factor a 3 percent blame assignment. … Bill S piece via Reader No. 1.

Update -- From Reader No. 1:

Don't get the Celtics at all as a factor in Red Sox Attention Disorder (RSAD). If anything, success of one local team tends to spur interest in others.

As so often the case, I think Sox problem is a combination of factors including the two you cite (post-championship, dull team), plus the fact that we have been looking up in the standings without gaining much ground - add that to the intolerable game length and you have a recipe for RSAD.

RE the Celts, I based my observation purely on my own reaction to Boston sports over the past three years. I haven't paid as much attention to the Sox in the spring due to the suddenly competitive Celts, triggering a RSAD that tends to last long after the Celts are done. I assume others feel the same way, though I don't believe there's that many of us out there (thus only a 3 percent blame assignment).  ¶ 5:58 AM