Boston can sometimes be a tough place for an athlete. The fans and the media expect the teams to win on a consistent basis. There is little appetite for losing, especially rebuilds.
The city’s sports teams have enjoyed remarkable success in the 21st century with each of the four major pro teams — the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox — winning at least one championship over that span.
This success has raised expectations for every team.
Even though it can be tough in Boston, winning here is more rewarding than anywhere else. If you win in Boston, you’re a legend forever.
With MLB free agency now underway, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was asked Monday in an interview with WEEI Afternoons what his pitch to MLB free agents would be.
He gave a pretty good answer.
“The way this city and the New England area embraces sports, and professional sports players, is one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of,” Maye said. “Watching them embrace me and embrace my teammates and some of the other athletes, and how beloved some of the famous guys — Big Papi and some of the greats. (Jayson) Tatum right now, (David Pastrnak) Pasta with the Bruins. It’s been really cool for me. I think it’s the greatest sports city in the country.
Maye also added: “In New England and this area it’s 24/7 caring about their teams and us, the Bruins, the Celtics, and the Red Sox. They care a great deal about us. I think it’s the city of champions. That’s what they say. It’s what we try to prove and give them something to cheer about, and the fans take it well.”
The Patriots spent a ton of money in free agency over the offseason and it has worked out really well so far.
New England enters Week 15 sitting atop the AFC East and owns the No. 2 seed in the conference with an 11-2 record. Furthermore, Maye looks like he could be a perennial MVP candidate.
The Patriots didn’t need to make an elaborate pitch to free agents during the Tom Brady era. The winning spoke for itself. If Maye’s Patriots keep winning games, especially in the playoffs, they might be a top destination for free agents pretty soon.