The bugle has sounded...

It's Over

by Claud Kirshner

I’ve been a baseball fan since 1986, when the New York Mets were the best thing going. There were great until the early 1990’s. I’ve never had high expectations for them since then. They were the lovable losers. They had some great runs at the Atlanta Braves in the late 1990’s, always coming up short. I felt like a Met fan again. But in the Subway Series in 2000, when the Mets played the powerhouse Yankees, I chose a side- the Yanks.

I was a Yankee fan when they were the worst- in the early 1990’s, so I guess my expectations were always low for them. And that’s a good thing. So I was pleasantly surprised when they won the wild card in 1995. In 1996, under manager Joe Torre they became a dynasty.

There are hardly any role models in this society anymore. If there are, I wish someone would point them out to me. Some people look up to movie stars, television actors, musicians, singers, or athletes. Well, I idolized the New York Yankees.

And that’s why I don’t feel like a fan anymore, and do not want to be attached to them.

The Anaheim Angels not only defeated the Bronx Bombers in the first round of the playoffs, they pummeled, and embarrassed, and humiliated the Yanks in every way, shape, or form. The four big Yankees pitchers went home with their heads down. And my heart was broken.

I had to watch the entire final game, even though they had no chance since the 5^th inning. I was with my family and did not want to be rude by walking away. You see, Yankee baseball is something I share with my mother and grandmother. We watch games together, listen to them on the radio, read about them in the newspaper, and talk about them all of the time. Being a fan is a very personal experience for me.

Some way accuse me of giving up on a team because they lost. I would disagree with that opinion; I am simply letting go.

Whatever arises must eventually cease to be.

They can’t win every game. They can’t stay on top of the baseball world forever. The dynasty is dead.

By letting go, I won’t get sad or angry or disappointed- which are three negative states of mind. I will not be obsessed with every pitch and every play.

I will still follow baseball next year, but the fanaticism is no more.