We all love sport for various reasons. Some of us feel as if we are able to live vicariously through others talents. Others want something to get behind. Sometimes people get caught up in the excitement that can permeate a city or a region when a team takes off. Others just grew up involved in it. Regardless of why you began to follow sport, there are certain scenarios that every fan can understand. One of those is the absolute kick in the gut feeling that we all inevitably feel when our team reaches a certain point only to fall short. Sport allows us to the outlet to feel as on cloud nine or as low as dirt. Occasionally those feelings swing in the blink of an eye. Even cooler is when these moments are caught on tape.
If you haven't seen the following clip, take a moment to watch it. It sums up the utter highs and bitter lows of being a fan in less than 2 minutes. Let me set the stage: The Philadelphia Phillies had just scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th to lead the Atlanta Braves 6-5 with only three outs left in the game. The Braves managed to load the bases in the 9th but after a strike out of Braves catcher Evan Gattis, fans in Philadelphia felt they may be able to wiggle away with an improbably win. Then, this happened...
Can you imagine if this had been a post season game? Better yet, Game 7 of a playoff series. How devastating would that be? As a Brave fan, I still hate Kirby Puckett and the Minnesota Twins for beating my team of destiny in the 1991 World Series. Kent Hrbek is still a crook for pulling Ron Gant off of 1st base and Lonnie Smith will never be thought of highly because he allowed Chuck Knoblauch to fool him into not running for 3rd. This would pale in comparison to all of that if it had happened in the post season.
Fandom is what it is because we allow it to be. But all of these highs and lows are why I keep coming back. You literally never know what is going to happen next. UCONN winning the national championship. Bubba winning one green jacket (let alone two). The 1991 Braves and Twins. 1985 Villanova. You just never know what is going to happen. It's why I won't taunt these fans. I've been in their shoes. My guess is, if you're a true fan, you have too. And you know what, we'll all feel like this again one day. So will they. It's why we watch and why we'll keep watching. Because those these fans were on the wrong side of it, Braves fans have huge smiles on their faces this morning. While these guys faces dropped, the bar I was watching the game last night in erupted with joy. It's what being a fan is all about.
No #'s today. Just wanted to share my thoughts on the joy and agony of fandom. Check us out on Twitter @GRHuddle and don't forget to like us on Facebook to keep up with everything Ground.Rule.Huddle
No comments:
Post a Comment