Hello, my name is James Lanning, and I have a problem - at least so my family tells me.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with worshiping the players of past and present who bring me my only joy in life. So what if I told my mother that I love the Sox more than her. So what if I went to a Sox game instead of accepting homecoming invites. So what if I want to be married and buried at Fenway. So what if I cut out all 162 box scores and place them on my wall.

I happened to write this article while watching pitcher Josh Beckett go seven strong innings, while giving up only one run against the Seattle Mariners. Unfortunately for you, and my family, my Red Sox obsession does not stop at just watching over 150 games a year (I must have been at a Nationals game for the ones I missed).

In addition to watching the games on my computer through mlb.tv, I have made a hobby of collecting everything Red Sox I can find. The box scores, newspaper clippings, a framed 1970 Tony Conigliaro Sports Illustrated, and a signed Curt Schilling Sports Illustrated are among some of my interior decorating. I should also mention that I sleep with a Sox blanket and pillow.

I also find joy in the stadium dirt that I stole from Fenway, memorizing useless facts such as Jimmy Collins had the first hit in Sox history, a double, April 26 1901, and wearing one of my over 20 shirts, seven hats, two jerseys, two pairs of boxers, one pair of pants, and one pair of shoes.

However, I really do not enjoy rubbing my armpits with the number of each player, two different ones every day, usually the starting pitcher and a struggling player. This habit often leaves red marks under my arms but is necessary if the Sox are to continuing winning baseball games.

By far the most enjoyable part of my life is watching the Sox. I have developed a love for the franchise, players, coaches, owners, stadium, and Kelly Barons, the ball girl. To me, baseball is life, and I would thus like someone to explain to me what people mean when they tell me to get one.