Matthew Loper

Joined: Mar 24, 2014

In 1986 I was just a young boy who didn't truly understand the pain and heartache of Red Sox fans at the time, but my father and older brother attempted to explain it to me. That year I learned firsthand how emotional sports can be. I grew up in family of die hard Red Sox & New York "Football" Giants fans. It was a legendary season for Big Blue and one that ended in complete disaster for the Red Sox. But that misery needed company, and the Sox had me hooked ever since.

May 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) celebrates with shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) after his two run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Strut: Xander Bogaerts, Chris Sale show consistency is key

Apr 30, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) pitches during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Strut: Hanley Ramirez, Craig Kimbrel finish out the month strong

Apr 23, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts (50) looks on from the dugout before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Strut: Mookie Betts and Eduardo Rodriguez

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) heads to first base after hitting a two RBI single during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Strut: Mitch Moreland and Chris Sale lead the pack

Apr 9, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon (3) hits a two RBI double in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Strut: Sandy Leon and Chris Sale start season strong

Mar 12, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Pablo Sandoval (48) prepares for the start of the spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Strut: Top hitters, pitchers in spring training

Feb 22, 2017; Ft. Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Edgar Olmos (71) works out as it rains during spring training at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox may have struck gold with reliever Edgar Olmos

Mar 20, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow (97) lines a shot to third during the fifth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox will take part in the spring training debut of Tim Tebow

Sep 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox reliever Tyler Thornburg will have the chance to shine

May 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (7) before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez has become a forgotten man

Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox should take a chance on Bronson Arroyo

Jul 16, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes (68) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Boston Red Sox won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Matt Barnes

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz (31) delivers a pitch in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Drew Pomeranz

Sep 6, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox free agent targets: Mark Trumbo

Aug 31, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) throws his bat aside after hitting a grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Hanley Ramirez

Sep 27, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price (24) reacts after giving up a two-run home run to New York Yankees first baseman Tyler Austin (26) during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox need David Price to step up in ALDS Game 2