One word… BASEBALL!
I have been a fan of the game since birth. Baseball is in me, it is in my blood. I know that makes me sound like a stark raving lunatic, and some might argue that I am just that lunatic but only someone with a similar love can know what I mean, it can’t be explained.
Last night, amongst the drunken bowling masses, I caught the last inning of NLCS Game 7. Now I am no fan of the Cards and have never claimed to be one. My allegiances have and always will lie with the Angels. But I have found myself routing for St. Louis, firstly because three of the prominent members of their starting lineup are former Angels and secondly because I know someone that is a huge fan.
When the final pitch hit the catchers glove for the series ending strike three I found my self yelling and pumping my fist, as I am known to do. I sent a quick “WS FUCK YEAH!” text message to this fan friend of mine. I got a response back almost immediately which was no surprise to me but it was the message that got me thinking. All that was sent back was “There are no words.” Hahahaha, this is funny to me. I have been there. At that exact moment and there are no words to describe that feeling.
For me it was 2002 and the Cinderella Angels went all the way. I was a complete wreck for nearly 2 months leading up to that World Series victory. My boss would joke with me that he was watching the games just to see what my mood would be like the next day. If they lost I was going to be a complete snatch to everyone and if the won I was equally difficult to be around because I was going around saying “IN YOUR FACE” hahaha Damnit, I wish I could come up with something slightly more clever than that but hey whatever. I hung on every pitch; to me it was that everything was riding on that victory. Once that final out was recorded there was just a huge release of tension and complete elation. The team that I had spent my entire life watching, loving and being completely frustrated by, had won. They took home the trophy and got their rings wrapped in millions but I took home a sense of pride. Even writing that seems retarded to me, but it is true. I felt proud, proud to be a fan, to have been part of that experience after YEARS of coming up short, sometimes REALLY short!
She was right, there are no words for the feeling you get at that moment but I know exactly what she meant by that statement. For anyone else out there that has a love for a sports team, one that has lasted a lifetime. I hope you have the opportunity to see your team win, to have that feeling that you can’t put into words.
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9 comments:
Why I ususlly don't love October...
October is usually not my month since typically my team (year, after year, after year) falls apart two weeks before. That team would be the Boston Red Sox, yes them.
I can't tell you how many years watching, waiting , hoping, praying...then they fall apart. You finally get to the point when you watch and don't expect the come back. Well two years ago they made believers out of us die hard fans. Beating the Yankees in 7 when we were down 3-0 --- it can not get any better than that, especially with the rivalry between these teams.
Winning the World Series was icing on the cake.
I have not followed either team now in the WS playoffs, so I wont't take sides, but hope for a great series. Wow that was long winded, sorry....
Janie, I love you! This post is adorable and perfect. See, you can be cute. ;)
To signgirl the Red Sox fan, you should know I was at Busch Stadium for Game 4 when you won the World Series. *I* was not having the best night, but it was still an amazing baseball moment. I am always struck by how much sports can really mean to its fans, and by how the game can bring entire cities together.
Here's to October baseball!
Grey
Years ago (many) my girlfriend and her best friend (who are major baseball fanatics) were both with other people. When the World Series came around, and they’d get together to watch the games, these other two women would wait on them hand and foot, bringing them beer and snacks during the games, and stuff like that. So every year about this time I’ll come home to a message on the answering machine. “Hey, do you think the girls will wait on this year?” because we (the current girlfriends) have refused, ever so politely “Fuck No!”. I came home to the message last week. HAHAHA
But, you can bet the games will be on and we’ll be watching. Well, she’ll be watching and getting her own beer. It’s a matter of principle now.
For me, it was the 1982 series with the Brewers. Every aspect of life revolved around those games. It was just craxiness.
Hey Janie, if you’re ever in Milwaukee, I’ll take you to Miller Park. (talk about long winded!)
Dear Janie. I thought i would let you know i read the first 2 paragraphs, and the last paragraph. ;) - and perhaps a few sentences in between. thats good for me right??? especially after reading the title?? Come-on, give a girl some credit. did you expect me to actually read any of it? hehehe. I love ya! (even if you like baseball) - xoxo
i have been a big fan of The Game since birth too. it all began when i came out unexpectedy a month too soon, and...
wait, jodi came out? ;)
signgirl! Another Red Sox fan! (Although I have to say I'm more of the fair weather variety. Too much heart break otherwise.) The Red Sox winning the World Series was pure magic, although kind of anticlimactic. I ran out onto the streets with my neighbors, and strange men kept picking me up and hugging me. People were wacking buses with brooms celebrating the "sweep." It was great. So, long story short, I know the feeling, janie!
Janie, I love October too! I'm soooo happy that the Detroit Tigers are in the World Series, after many years of watching them...and well, let's be honest...they stunk!
I'm not in Michigan to enjoy this happy time, but I'm enjoying from afar.
I know exactly what you mean, I breathe baseball, I dream of baseball, I LOVE BASEBALL. And I am from St.Louis and I pissed myself because my boys in red just brought one home. I don't know if you know what a heart attack feels like but I nearly had one the night we won the world series.
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