Playoff Perspective

I really love this time of year. With the playoffs around the corner, we get to see who the veteran fans are. We separate the real from the fake. October built fans don't panic, they don't make fools of themselves agonizing after every out or count magic numbers. The only thing more annoying than fans counting "magic numbers" is Jonathan Papelbon holding up index cards with Magic Number written on them after each save, but I digress.

If you're one of those fans who pushes the panic button once the 2nd batter of the game triples against your team in Game 1, you my friend, are in for a LOOOOOOONG post season. No enjoyment for you as a fan. You instead will yell at the TV at the top of your lungs on an innocent pick off attempt, launch the remote 3 rooms over when your starter gives up a 2 out double with a 5 run lead, & oh yes, curse the manager for double switching too early. As a grizzled October playoff fan i typically enjoy the postseason whether my team is in it or not (in this case their not). That's how you're supposed to act. Especially if your team is a post season regular.

Seriously, look back at all the playoff drama in history & think of all the moments you didn't fully enjoy because of your rooting interest. I'm not saying don't be a fan, but enjoy the action people. I recall waking up at 2AM (local time in Afghanistan) to watch Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Coming off 3 hours sleep I had to watch it. & while at the time I was rooting for the Red Sox, it did not make it less enjoyable when the Yankees won in dramatic fashion. Because of where I was, this will forever live as the most memorable game I have EVER watched. If I was an angst ridden Sox fan I would have just ctrl-alt-deleted that & never enjoyed that historic ending.

This is why October baseball is so gripping. If your team is out of it, you will undoubtedly find a rooting interest with another team. When you do, don't forget why you watch. For the drama, the action, the beauty, & the endings. ENJOY THEM ALL!!!