Disappointment
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. "
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
My beloved Braves have lost the NL east division this year, 21 games behind the Mets with 17 games left in the season. The Streak is over. 14 years. When the Braves won their first division title I was entering my 10th grade year of high school. All of Atlanta was amazed at the exciting conclusion of that season. So amazed, that they gave the team a parade right thru the heart of the city. There were many bandwagon fans, but then there were true fans like my family. I can remember attending games when the Braves were the worst team in all of major league. I was little and enjoyed just being at the park, no care as to who won or lost, but just excited to see a few favorite "all-star" players (Dave Murphy and Bob Horner). But, I will admit, it sure was a lot better when they started winning.
When they won their second title and went to the World Series to face the Toronto Blue Jays, I was at game one with my dad at Fulton County Stadium. He and I ate corn dogs and watched Tom Glavin pitch a winner on the mound. I could not have imagined twelve more division titles, but as time passed, it was expected that the Tomahawk Chop would bring the pennant home. And so, back in April, I could not have imagined this season's failure to clinch the NL East.
As disappointed as I am, I must look to the future. Being in Red Sox territory has taught me how to deal when life doesn't turn out the way you hope for it to. The Sox looked promising this season, jumping out in front of those damn Yankees at the start. But as it is well known here in New England, the Boys of Summer easily break your heart. It is also often said when referring to the Sox, "NEXT YEAR! We will always have next season!" I am saddened that I must use this phrase in relation to the Bravos. It just wasn't our year. With both my teams well on their way to ending the season without post-season play, I will admit - It just wasn't my year.
The AP Wire has a great article posted here about the Braves incredible streak. An excellent, encouraging quote does well to conclude this post:
"someday, once the pain has worn off a bit and there's time for reflection, the Braves will come to grips with the enormity of their accomplishment. They'll look at all those pennants attached to the facade above the left-field stands at Turner Field and realize just how remarkable it was to win 14 division titles, all in a row."
My beloved Braves have lost the NL east division this year, 21 games behind the Mets with 17 games left in the season. The Streak is over. 14 years. When the Braves won their first division title I was entering my 10th grade year of high school. All of Atlanta was amazed at the exciting conclusion of that season. So amazed, that they gave the team a parade right thru the heart of the city. There were many bandwagon fans, but then there were true fans like my family. I can remember attending games when the Braves were the worst team in all of major league. I was little and enjoyed just being at the park, no care as to who won or lost, but just excited to see a few favorite "all-star" players (Dave Murphy and Bob Horner). But, I will admit, it sure was a lot better when they started winning.
When they won their second title and went to the World Series to face the Toronto Blue Jays, I was at game one with my dad at Fulton County Stadium. He and I ate corn dogs and watched Tom Glavin pitch a winner on the mound. I could not have imagined twelve more division titles, but as time passed, it was expected that the Tomahawk Chop would bring the pennant home. And so, back in April, I could not have imagined this season's failure to clinch the NL East.
As disappointed as I am, I must look to the future. Being in Red Sox territory has taught me how to deal when life doesn't turn out the way you hope for it to. The Sox looked promising this season, jumping out in front of those damn Yankees at the start. But as it is well known here in New England, the Boys of Summer easily break your heart. It is also often said when referring to the Sox, "NEXT YEAR! We will always have next season!" I am saddened that I must use this phrase in relation to the Bravos. It just wasn't our year. With both my teams well on their way to ending the season without post-season play, I will admit - It just wasn't my year.
The AP Wire has a great article posted here about the Braves incredible streak. An excellent, encouraging quote does well to conclude this post:
"someday, once the pain has worn off a bit and there's time for reflection, the Braves will come to grips with the enormity of their accomplishment. They'll look at all those pennants attached to the facade above the left-field stands at Turner Field and realize just how remarkable it was to win 14 division titles, all in a row."
Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThe following poem seems appropriate here. It's written to a man, but could just as easily be written to a lady.
Life by Jim 'Mudcat' Grant
Life is like a game of baseball,
You play it every day.
It isn't just the breaks you get,
But the kind of game you play.
So stop and look your whole team over,
And you'll find dedication there.
You're bound to be a winner,
With men who really care.
Your pitcher's name is courage,
You need him in the game.
For faith and trust your keystone men,
The grounders they will tame.
Your center fielder is very fast,
Though small and hard to see.
So watch him, son, when he gets,
The ball he's opportunity.
In left field there's ambition,
Never let him shirk.
For in right field there's a husky man,
I'm told his name is work.
At first base there's religion,
He's stood the test of time.
At third base there's brotherhood,
The stalwart of the nine.
Your catcher's name is humor,
He's important to the scheme.
For with honor warming in the bull pen,
The game is always clean.
With love on the bench,
You've perfection no less.
With a winning team,
And joy and happiness.
Your other team is strong, son,
Greed, hatred, envy and defeat.
Are for strong infielders,
You'll have to buck to make your game complete.
Deceitfulness and a man called waste,
Are always playing hard.
Selfishness and jealousy,
None can you disregard.
Carelessness and falsehood,
Are the big boys in the pen.
You'll have to swing hard, son,
When you come up to them.
There's one more man you'll have to watch,
He's always very near.
He's the pitcher on that team,
And I'm told his name is fear.
This game will not be easy,
There'll be trouble, there'll be strife.
To make the winning runs, my boy,
For this game is played on the field of life.
So stand behind your team, my boy,
There'll be many who'll applaud.
Just remember that you're the player,
And the umpire here is God.