The newfound tradition of playoff baseball in Boston brings with it one of the most disturbing sports pastimes to develop since baseball mustaches first went out of favor in the early 90s. The playing, and singing along to, Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline at professional sporting events is a menace and must be stopped.

Listen: You might not hate the song. Maybe you think it’s a perfectly pleasant tune to relax to on a summer evening, or even for some jackass to sing along with on karaoke night at the frat house. But sports are supposed to be for battling. We know that baseball players and all athletes are paid professionals, but we don’t want to think of them that way. We want warriors, and we don’t think playing Neil Diamond in stadiums is a good way to foster that mentality.

Can you imagine what this trend will do to our sacred games if it continues? It’s a walkoff grand slam — cue the Dan Fogelberg! A buzzer-beating three? Sounds like it’s time for Barry Manilow. Game-changing interception? Cat Stevens, baby!

What are you doing, Boston? Look yourselves in the mirror and ask if you want to be the city responsible for this boil festering away at society’s backside. Neil Diamond’s music should not be played at sporting events, or probably anywhere else.