Rain or shine, 2009 was an interesting and eventful season for the Astros, and while it is too bad they did not make the playoffs, I didn't really expect them to, either. So it would be disingenius to express much disappointment about it, even if just as an affectation or as an excuse to create a post.
Meantime, some pretty interesting playoffs loom ahead. In the AL, I am torn between the Twins and Tigers, two teams I appreciate and admire very much. I also like the Angels. And, I am even a grudging admirer of the Yankees and their scary lineup. The Red Sox, meanwhile, can suck my big green baseball bat.
In the NL, I am pulling for the Dodgers only. There. I said it.
Meanwhile, BudGirl has written a
superb final game recap that pretty much captures my feelings about the end of the season and the end of the summer perfectly. I, too, suffer that dull, aching pain at the end of the season(s). In a way, it is almost an anticipatory emotion. I am too worn out by following the team to be sad just now, but I know I will be. In a month or so, I'll start missing the little things -- the odd JD comment during a telecast, a routine spectacular play by Bourn in centerfield, hearing Brownie babbling about something during a slow moment in the game as I walk through the room, listening to the radio broadcast while running errands on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. The great plays and great moments are always accessible now, on-line somewhere; but the little moments, the everyday stuff that fiils out the baseball season between the highlights and web gems, those are gone. Until next spring, anyway. And those are what I'll really miss.
Meantime, I'll carry on. There is usually a pretty steady stream of baseball news, from the innocuous to the noteworthy, to sustain me through the winter; and I can go back and re-read BG's clear and unpretentious sentiments when I need to.
Suddenly, the onset of "the void" doesn't seem quite as daunting..
