RED SOX STILL THE FAVORITE SONS, BUT THE PATS ARE COMING

          The Red Sox opened their home season "in their
     customary position as New England's favorite sports team,
     but it appears they'd better have a big year to keep the
     Patriots from taking over first place," according to Will
     McDonough of the BOSTON GLOBE.  The Red Sox "remain the
     favorites" according to the latest ESPN/Chilton poll.  At
     the end of '95, the breakdown of favorite teams in New
     England was: Red Sox 14.3%, Pats 13.3%, Bruins 11.4%,
     Celtics 8.3%.  At the end of '96: Red Sox 12.8%, Pats 11%,
     Bruins 7.2%, Celtics 6.8%.  In Boston, the numbers at the
     end of '95 were: Pats 19.4%, Bruins 18.5%, Red Sox 13.8%,
     Celtics 10.5%.  At the end of '96: Red Sox 17.5%, Pats 15%,
     Bruins 12%, Celtics 11%.  Rich Luker, Exec Dir of
     ESPN/Chilton, noted that the numbers from '96 were compiled
     before the Patriots went to the Super Bowl, and the results
     "could easily be different this year."  McDonough: "What
     seems clear is that the Bruins are third and the Celtics are
     last among fans around New England" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/12).