Cardinals manager Tony Larussa had it right when asked about the Rockies' hot and cold September. We came within one and a half game of first place in the NL West, and the roof caved in. Larussa suggested that in situations like that, teams can exhaust themselves in the mad rush to tie or reach the top of the division, and then find themselves worn out and beaten down when they have to maintain that same level of play for the final stretch.
Were the Rockies tired? I doubt they were physically worn out...their bodies know what 162 games feels like. However, I'm willing to bet that there were several members of the team who at the middle of September were, mentally, on empty. But, as the saying goes...there's always next year.
Amidst the collapse, I was pissed. And the illogical pathology of baseball fandom began: whenever I tuned into a game and things turned south, I was convinced it was all my fault, and turned the damn thing off. Then, when it all ended in St. Louis I was a bit upset, but after a few days of some therapeutic sulking, I realized something. This feeling is yet another reason to love the game. Baseball fans hope for a postseason or World Series appearance each season, but in the dark, logical corners of our minds hides the very real possibility that this is not the year. We're all connected in our misery, though some more than others.
And yes, I'm looking at you Cubs fans. And this year's Padres fans. It's over, and our boys aren't in it...but I suppose it isn't the end of the world. Now, we wait for Spring and the chance to try again.
==========
I wonder if others find the term 'research' as ridiculous as I do. Well, 'research' as it applies to headlining, loud, bold news stories. Lately, it seems most frequently tied to food and eating and health: "Research shows that two cups of melted chocolate a day will prevent Armageddon...Research shows raw garlic is actually good for your breath...Research shows that eating five cheesecakes a day may prevent you from ever losing your keys again."
We see nonsense like this constantly! Research shows thing 'A' is good for you. Then, usually a year later, that thing 'A' has been shown to prevent back pain, but those tested now bleed continuously from both eyes.
I just don't get it. I'm sure there are wonderful people conducting valuable research that benefits everyone, but I usually take it all with a massive grain of salt. Although, research shows that salt is bad for you. Or maybe it's good now. I'm not really sure.
==========
In my never-ending quest to become Clark W. Griswold, there was a near-catastrophe at my house yesterday. The 'ignite' button on the grill is fickle, and only works when it wants to. It wasn't cooperating last night, so I went to the kitchen for the lighter, and put it in the small 'lighter-hole' at the grill's base. Bear in mind I''ve done this many, many times before.
Don't laugh. You've done it too, dammit.
So, imagine my surprise when an enormous yellow, blue, and orange fireball exploded from the thing at my face. I froze to make sure I was still alive, smelled and tasted the propane burn in my nose, panicked and reached for my hair. You know. To make sure I wasn't on fire or anything.
I'm happy to relate that everything was in one piece (but a little singed), and dinner tasted wonderfully.
So there.
No comments:
Post a Comment