Whatever fantasies and dreams we had for this season, it is time now to file them away
under, " a productive experience that will benefit us in the long run," and finish packing up the fishing gear. Time to head back to our personal Ozarks, and catch some dinner to cook over the fire pit on the shore.
We have been ignoring the family during certain 3-4 hour periods for a bit more than 162 days of 2017. We have expressed joy, surprise, wonder , awe and depression. As companions, friends and lovers we have reflected those emotions, and made people close to us either miserable or momentarily fulfilled as a direct result of our wavering temperaments.
Perhaps I overestimate the impact upon us, or upon others.
Our psychic investment in a game played by others, in an environment usually accessed by the distance of TV or radio, is a quirky diversion from reality inherited from our youth. It is like a defective gene which we cannot remove. It is too much to say that our addiction to the
Yankees keeps us young. But it does bring back the smell of a new glove, the crack of a bat, the thrill of a stolen base in a close game, and the pure joy of catching a critical foul pop-up deep behind third base. It brings back the feeling of admiration and respect from our friends, along with memories of the bonds we formed in winning and losing together.
In any case, there comes a time each year when only the fans of one team leave the season happy and pleased. We do not fall into that category in 2017. True, we were able to glance over the edge into the boiling cauldron of success, and take a peak at something long forgotten, but the heat of someone else's success pushed us away.
Now we are left with the long over-used phrase by Brooklyn Dodgers fans: " wait until next year." As Yankee fans, we respected that grit. And relished in the fact that we ( more often than not) caused it.
Yesterday's loss to Cleveland was more than a loss. We all know that.
How and what remains of this team and organization, and the portrait of next season, beckons. But a lot of water must pass under the bridge before the green grass and the baseball diamonds again appear appealing to us. Another big chunk of our life will slide by, until we begin to hope again. Not until springtime in Tampa.
It has been a painful ride. We got dumped off the roller coaster.
Good luck with the large-mouth bass competition.
ReplyDeleteThat was a nice post, Alphonso.
I think Kay qualifies as a loud mouth bass.
ReplyDeleteI knew Girardi would fuck it up. Everyone in the media who always fawns over him saw last night what only rabid fans have seen all year.
Thanks, LBJ. From you that means a lot.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you're pleased.
It's funny though, when I saw the title of the post, and the image you used to illustrate it (i.e., family members in a small boat), I flashed on the thought that you were going to draw a comparison between our situation and Michael Corleone's in The Godfather, Part II.
As you know, in that story, Michael's brother Fredo's actions hurt the family so badly and so personally, Michael had someone take Fredo out in a small fishing boat and remove him from the picture.
In case I'm not being crystal clear here, Girardi is Fredo.
I'm not sure that wasn't an unspoken subtext of the post...which was very nice, indeed, and sorry for not saying so earlier.
ReplyDeleteLast night has left my brain tragically scrambled. My only excuse.
I only wish I were that smart.
ReplyDeleteI love these guys, but they have shown that ability to leave a fan in a numbing pain. Right now I am cruising Cleveland, looking for the punk with the "2004" sign he framed behind righthanded hitters. When I am done with him, I'll sacrifice the obligatory live chicken. In the meanwhile, instead of picking on Sonny Gray (he's supposed to score his own runs?) why not indulge Todd Frazier with a little freshwater fishing junket on Lake Tahoe?
ReplyDeleteGirardi, he who cannot comprehend momentum and game flow, has done us in. If it was only this mistake, it might be easier to swallow. However, any Yankee fan who has been paying attention saw him fritter away 5 to 10 wins this year by sticking to the binder. Take a look at the Pythagoram record VS the actual. He must go. Bring back Buck.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFULLY PUT, ALPHONSO.
ReplyDeleteLBJ SOMEHOW MADE ME SMILE....
"GIRARDI IS FREDO".
LOL
LBJ, I had the same Godfather-related thought. Alphonso, those are nice thoughts and I hope the sense of serenity espoused therein seeps through the red curtain of rage still draped over my heart. I can't believe how pissed off I am, even after a day has (mostly) passed.
ReplyDeleteME TOO..... STILL ENRAGED.
ReplyDeleteMANY TIMES, THESE PLAYOFF GAMES HINGE ON 1 SUBTLE PLAY.
THE FACT THAT THIS PLAY WAS SO OBVIOUS A POTENTIAL TURNING POINT, MAKES IT EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE THAT GIRARDI DIDN'T GRAB THE OPPORTUNITY TO SLAM THE DOOR ON THE INNING.
THIS IS WHY THEY HAVE REPLAYS NOW, FOR THIS KIND OF STUFF.
I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE HE DIDN'T CHALLENGE IT.
Extremely well-written and well-thought-out, Fonz - - all kudos for that.
ReplyDeletePart of our off-season, will, however, be consumed hashing over what should be done in the off-season, what actually IS done, and what might still be done. I, for one, intend to look in on this blog every day I have the opportunity. Count on it.
Can't find much of anything to disagree with in any of the above posts; if only we could ditch (even kick upstairs) Fredo, the Trained Seal, we could spend a happy & hopeful off-season. All concentrate in zeroing in on Food-Stamps' brain wavelength (however short it might be). LB (No J)
I always look forward to the hot stove with duque and Fonz.
ReplyDeleteIt ain't over till it's over but baseball has rarely felt more predictable. No shame in losing to a better team, but frustrating to do so in such a manner. Would be nice to win one before we go out. I feel like that's not asking too much.
ReplyDeleteThis won't be the end of Girardi, sadly. Cashman loves having him as lapdog, and you know Hal's keeping Cashman because otherwise he might actually have to think about how the team is run, so he stays. I wouldn't be surprised if they kept Todd Frazier too.
Either way, the narrative has it that we weren't supposed to win this season at all. Hard after such pineapples these last two games to make it feel like a victory, but I'm sure YES will manage somehow.
And agreed, KD. The IIHIIFIIC hot stove is a great time and in season or out, this site is fantastic and insightful. Thanks Fonz and Duque for it and all the best from enemy territory.
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