Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which would like to have a word. That word? Sheesh.
I don’t want to get too dramatic. Heaven knows I’ve been through enough drama the past two weeks. But we and history are going to remember the World Series for a variety of reasons. A wonderful variety. I think as time passes and this knot in my stomach unravels and recedes, I’m going to identify this as the time I finally understood what you all go through as fans. I don’t want to sound like a deflated or defeated elitist. I just haven’t been through what I just went through, and it’s occurred to me you all go through that on a fairly regular basis. No more will I look at you or your texts or your comments and think, “Yo, it’s a game.”
One reason I wrote my book — Oh, you didn’t know I wrote a book? — was because I didn’t understand why people act the way they do about West Virginia or about sports teams in general, and if I didn’t, then surely others did not and I owed folks an explanation.
But that’s sort of how I approach sports as a whole. I don’t appreciate the consequences. It’s mostly because of my job, which has turned me into this robotically neutral observer and admirer. (Think about it. I cover my alma mater, and I’m pretty numb. It’s weird.)
The other explanation is that I have two teams. One — the one — is the Cleveland Indians. With rare exceptions, they’ve been disappointing the entire time I’ve been in this business. I’ve basically never wanted a team to win for as long as I’ve been doing this. (“basically”: Exception.) Now, they were really good in 2007 and had a 3-1 lead in the ALCS, but the Red Sox, also very good, came back and won the series and then the World Series. Apart from that, it’s one ALDS win, one ALDS loss and one Wild Card loss. That’s … that’s not going to move my meter very much.
A few years ago, the Indians pressed reset again and started to collect and reveal a lot of nice pieces. The club took control of promising players for long and reasonable contracts. The minor leagues prepared and produced starters across the field. Some smart and shrewd free agent signings clicked. I knew the time was coming. And this year, it came. It was awesome.
And it was agonizing. I’m worn out, man. I can’t even believe I’m admitting this. Six weeks ago, that’s the sort of think I laugh at. But it’s true.
After an entire season spent watching this actually develop and near the finish line, it happened. I lived and died with pitches and plays for a month. I was up early to get my work done to make sure I was free for 4 p.m. starts. I was up late for interminably long postseason games that started after 8 p.m. I was traveling. I was in different time zones. I was in airports and hotels. I was at Game 2. I was covering two sports and, if I’m being honest, concerned only about a third. I was hunched over for hours at a time. Pacing. Clenching. Groaning. Yelling. My back hurts. My neck hurts. My stomach hurts.
I’ve honestly aged. Game 1 was one of the most tense things I’ve ever experienced, though that did not last long. Game 4 was the most euphoric I’ve probably ever felt after a sporting event. Game 5 spooked me. The off day before Game 6 was miserable, and then I had, like, mono that day. I was out. Spent. I’d been going hard for more than a week, and it got me, but this damn team was part of that. Game 6 was the first time I was frightened, because it looked bad and I did not want Game 7 and I did not want to think this was all for naught.
Game 7 was something I’ll never forget. I can’t even describe it. What theater.
The 5-1 deficit wiped me out. Gave me that, “Why the hell do I do this?” feeling. Worse than Game 7 in 1997 … which was the last time I really cared, and that was brutal. I walked my dog for half an hour after the Cubs took control. But I had my phone on and saw the wild pitch that scored two runs. Here’s how screwed up I was: “Do I keep walking?” Hi, Erinn? I’m in Westover.
I went home and kept an eye on things. Turned the TV on, didn’t like the results, turned the TV off. Then Joe Maddon did some really weird things, and I was hooked. My phone just about vibrated off the sink as I was brushing my teeth. I’m the fan who championed the sneaky Brandon Guyer trade because he’s good to have around in October, or November, as it turned out, and the texts were mostly along the lines of, “Holy crap, you were right.” Wait, what?!?! I ran to the Tier 4 Studio and saw Rajai Davis homer. The hour that followed was intense. I couldn’t sleep that night. I’d be lying I said yesterday was easy or any fun at all.
I’m happy to have been on this ride. I was at a World Series game. My team had the winning run at the plate in the 10th inning of the last game of the season with a chance to end a generation of angst, and it all happened without the best hitter and the Nos. 2 and 3 starters. It happened with basically three starters and three relievers. But it fell short, and it sucks. I don’t know how to feel, but I think I do know how you all feel.
Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, take your time.
JAL said:
Turnovers were the difference in the game but were due to great defense? The fumble=always thought when you feel yourself getting hit you bring the into your body as you try to escape, not hold it out like a loaf of bread. The White interception–pass was behind him but still could have been caught. When a ball over the middle goes up off the receiver’s hands it will be intercepted more often than not. The other interception–there were 2 OSU players near the ball and in front of the receiver. The only turnover that that might be more of the defense but maybe a pass that should not have been thrown or if thrown then higher.
Well, on the fumble, Taylor has to beat a guard and a fullback to get there, and then he has to get Howard who is, if nothing else, squirrely. The second interception was a by a linebacker who isn’t anywhere to be found on he depth chart, and he dropped into coverage and made the play. Howard could have protected possession better on either play, but defensively, there’s a lot that had to happen for either play to happen. Now, the first interception is mostly White. Howard’s throw wasn’t great, but Howard doesn’t make uniformly great throws. If you want to play receiver for WVU and with Howard, you better catch that.
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