How About Group Suicide?

by jpalaska on Aug 6, 2005 2:03 AM CDT

I apologize if I've been getting too preachy lately. The fact is, I hate being on both sides of preaching. (preacher or preachee)

But I'd just like to say a few words in favor of appreciating and enjoying the game of baseball.

Since April it seems to me that there have been several BCB themes that have dominated the discourse here. They have been: the playoffs, fire Dusty, trade X and acquire Y (the fantasy discussions), the playoffs, the bullpen sucks, the playoffs, the bats suck, the playoffs, the defense sucks, and the season is over. Is that what it's all about to Cubs fans?

If you are one of those that believes that winning is the only thing, then you have my sympathy. Just as those tigers that believe that your life's worth is measured by how much money you have acquired.

I love baseball because it's a beautiful, pastoral game that mimics life. It's full of hope and disappointment, success and failure. But the greatest thing about the baseball season is that tomorrow's another day and a new game.
You have choices as a fan of baseball. One is to start the season tranfixed on whether or not your team will make it to the playoffs (4-5 months in the future). The other choice is to experience the daily joy or sadness as each game is played to its wonderful and unpredictable ending.
And if your beloved team loses, there's hope for tomorrow in a 162 game season.
It's your choice as a fan. Be miserable all summer or stay in the game.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Thank you.

This is what I've been saying all along, and did in one of the comments the other day.

Yes, I love the Cubs and I want them to win and I'm pretty disgusted with the way they've been playing, particularly in the last week.

But if I let that defeat the love I have for the game of baseball, then I have lost.

Every day I go to the ballpark, or watch a game on TV, of course I want the Cubs to win. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying the game, enjoying friendships I've made, or hoping that even if they lose, I'll see something interesting or exciting that I've never seen before.

And again -- isn't that why we're all here?

by Al Yellon on Aug 6, 2005 4:04 AM CDT reply actions

I separate

my feelings about the season and the game. Each and every GAME I watch, I hope/expect/pray that the Cubbies win. But when you see how the boys in blue are playing the last couple of games; when I look objectively at the SEASON I have only a little hope that it will be salvaged.

So, when I am getting ready to watch the game I am as excited as Pepe LePeuw seeing a feamle cat; but that does not mean that after the game is over (or even during the game) I am not ranting and raving.

All this does not mean that Dusty should keep sending Ewok out to centterfield. What is he thinking? The guy looks like a mini-me version of a big league player.

by victor @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 6, 2005 9:31 AM CDT reply actions

Hey....

I watched Quite Frankly yesterday and they had a special on the cubs. Mr. Cub said that they had a different type of winning, they had won the fans respect and many others. The greatest thing about baseball is that it does have a lot of games. The worst thing for me is that it isn't at least 340 days a year.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 6, 2005 10:41 AM CDT reply actions

I guess

That even a summer where the Cubs completely suck is better than those long, dark winter months when the spring training is still two months away.

Hey-Dawson backwards is Noswad!---Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on Aug 6, 2005 9:36 PM CDT reply actions

Hey JP,

Are you really in Alaska as your login says??

What part? I currently live in Memphis, TN but I call Anchorage home. I went thru high school there - My dad was stationed at Elmendorf AFB. He's still there in fact, doing the same job he was doing when he was active duty.

by horp the reckless on Aug 8, 2005 11:40 AM CDT reply actions