Oct 19 2008
World Series is what it’s all about, and falling short stinks
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
ATLANTA — In a few days, I’m heading to the mountains for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
When we booked this trip a few months ago, I jumped online and looked at what sporting events will be next weekend. After all, nothing is more relaxing than kicking back and watching a little ball while chilling in the hot tub with no kids, no work and just your bride and some good friends hanging out with you.
Of course, next weekend the World Series will be in full swing. And at the time we booked our escape, the Braves were still in contention in the NL East. I had some hesitation about leaving town; after all, what if the Braves were to turn it on, win the East, grab the pennant, and find themselves playing in the Fall Classic that weekend at Turner Field?
Eh, guess I don’t have to worry about that. Not a news flash there, I know. The Braves were out of it by early August, having traded Mark Teixeira to the Angels, and the big stumble in the first three weeks of August officially buried Atlanta’s hopes for 2008.
It occurred to me tonight, while sitting in the Sports Garage, that next season will mark the 10th anniversary of the Braves being on the outside looking in at the World Series. It stinks. You play the game to have a chance to win a championship, and only two teams get that opportunity each year.
I’ve been blessed and fortunate enough to have attended the past eight World Series games held in Atlanta — three in 1995, three in 1996, and two in 1999. It’s hard to believe the night Kevin Millwood was pounded by the Yankees in Game 2 of the 1999 Series is the last time a World Series game was held in Atlanta. Seems like a long, long time, indeed, and it has been a long, long time.
Each year, 30 teams and their respective fan bases open spring training hoping it will be their year to end up in the late October spotlight, when the focus of the sports world is on your team, your city, your pursuit of a championship. There’s nothing like the World Series. Take it from me, a fan and a former sports writer who has attended World Series games in both capacities. The World Series is the ultimate moment.
We’ll find out tonight who joins Philadelphia in this year’s Series. Regardless of whether it’s Boston or Tampa Bay, I’ll be tuning in from our mountain cabin for Game 3 Saturday night. It’s a weekend designed for rest for this correspondent, who has been buried in the past few weeks with demands from my day job, along with my blogging duties, along with other freelance assignments, along with the fact I’m also a husband and a father.
I’ll be chilling out as Game 3 unfolds, amid the fall foliage and the chilly temperatures. I’m really looking forward to my trip … but I’d trade it in a heartbeat if the Braves were playing that night. I’d much rather be sitting in the Sports Garage, blogging about the Braves in the World Series.
That’s why you play the game in the first place, to win it all. Two teams have that chance each year. For the rest of us, October’s crowning moment is only a cruel reminder of what could be.
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