It's the most hypocritical aspect in ALL sports. Game seven. The most exciting game. Winner-takes-all. Then why does it suck that there is one? Is it because the Texas Rangers were one strike away...TWICE from becoming World Series champions? Perhaps. Is it because in the office, all of the sudden, everyone is smarter than Ron Washington? In their wildest dreams.
I was taken back 11 years ago last night. It was June 10th, 2000. Three days prior to my 24th birthday, so we had easily 20 people over. Also, there was this little hockey game on that night. Two heavyweights going toe-to-toe with each other. Neither goalie willing to blink as it would mean certain doom. One team was five years removed from their last championship...the other was defending The Cup. Sixty minutes wasn't enough that night. Eighty minutes wasn't even adequate. Then, it happened. Blink. It was over. Fourteen men-turned-boys leaped over their bench wall...red sweaters swarm together in celebration. I lean back in my chair, a single sports-tear began to trek down my right cheek. The silence from the friends that came over was deafening. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see each of them file out into the garage...quietly...looking over their shoulder back at me.
Fast forward 11 years. 26 outs. Two strikes. Blink. Tied. 29 outs. Two strikes. Blink. Tied. There was no 30th out. Now, there's 27 outs to go...again.
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