It hasn’t really sunk in yet. So I’m going to not post anything about this for a few days at least.
But I did just come home to an email from my mom. I am going to post that email, and my response.
From: Phyllis
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 9:44 PM
To: Matt
Subject:[/b] til next year
Just remember that they gave you a thrilling summer. And, unless, the management follows the usual Chicago tradition of trading away good players, they will be back.
Love,
Mom
—————
My response:
It was really weird tonight.
I was on the edge of my seat all night…after Bako flied out for three, I just stood there for a while, looking out over the field. And the thing is…I wasn’t that sad. I think it took a while for it to really hit me that it was over. But the thing that I was doing, was just looking out at Wrigley Field and realizing that it would be five more months until I’d be there again.
Frankly, they came further than I thought they would this year. And I was thinking the same thing you mentioned – I’ve been thinking about all the exciting baseball I’ve seen at the Friendly Confines this year (tonight was my 13th game). I feel sorrier for the bandwagon fans…the rest of us are used to this. Yes, we’re disappointed, but we’ve been here before. And when we say “wait until next year”, we mean it.
I can’t wait until Opening Day. And I hope the Marlins win it all, preferably beating the Yankees. Because they have really impressed me in this series as being a class act; Pudge calming down Sammy after that brushback pitch in Game 5, for example. And tonight, when Joe Bo was warming up, I saw the third base coach for the Marlins chatting with Aramis Ramirez…joking around. That just floors me. That’s sportsmanship. And it’s what baseball should be all about.
I’m sad that I won’t be sitting at Wrigley for a World Series this year. But I’ve gotten to witness some amazing things. And I’ll remember this season for a long time, if not forever.
It was a great season. And as always, I’m proud to be a Cubs fan. And I’m sure Grandpa Leonard is with Harry right now saying “wait until next year” just like the rest of us.
m.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so surprised at how angry I am!
Well.. angry is too strong a word, but I’m can’t believe how much my heart hurt that the Cubs lost the series.
I feel for you. But I hope they’re in the thick of things next year!
I feel sorrier for the bandwagon fans…the rest of us are used to this. Yes, we’re disappointed, but we’ve been here before. And when we say “wait until next year”, we mean it.
Yeah, I’m sad, but I’m used to it, too. I was semi-watching the game from my table at Bennigan’s and wanted to cry a little when I saw that it wasn’t going to happen for the cubbies this year.
Next year. It has to be next year. *crosses fingers and holds her breath*
well said, my dear.
That is cool that your mom understands baseball.
I am proud that the cubs went as far as they did. I think that with all this as a learning experience they will do even better next year. Like Dusty said, he didn’t expect them to get this good this fast. He thought it would take longer. I think they have some great talent, and a good group together. They just need some better closing pitchers. All in all, it was a very good season. I watched more baseball this year than I had in all the years since 84.
If they went to the world series this year, my brother was going to buy a big screen TV to watch it on. Maybe next year then…
*sniff*
You said it. Although I am disapointed, I can’t wait to see them play next year. That was some damn good baseball. This season has restored my faith in the game that was lost during the baseball strike.
Sorry, hon. I was rooting for them in my own special way. :(