First published on Facebook during the day on November 2, 2016, before Game 7 of the World Series was to start later that evening.
Wow, nervous energy.
What is it about sports? Sports have always been my life. My first love, my first interest – the reason I’ve done many things in my life. My dad’s influence was definitely a huge reason, but I took things a bit further than he ever would have, or maybe not.
He was, after all, always excited for me when I told him that I was the only girl playing tailback on the elementary school team, or that I wrote a letter to the Redskins to tell them how much I hated them, or that I was taking a last minute flight to see a baseball game, or that I was spending all my free time in college to scout pitches at Disch-Falk, or that I was taking a weekend road trip a thousand miles away to see a baseball game, or that I was using all the money I had to take a Greyhound bus to see a hockey game (all true stories).
And, he was super exited for me when I told him I was going to move to Chicago for the Cubs. He wanted me to move somewhere, anywhere far away for a bit, I think, so there was that. But he loved the idea of me being close to Wrigley. I may have been crazy, lol, but sports have always made me happy. And sad. And pissed. And overwhelmed!!! lol
I think my teams and favorites all express different parts of my personality or equal parts of my heart, brain, soul, and spirit, or at least some of the qualities I want in my life: the Cowboys own me, they were dominant when I was growing up, they were the absolute best, Coach Landry was the ultimate coach and Staubach the ultimate leader, Dorsett was the most beautiful athlete on TV; the Longhorns were tradition, lore, part of our birthright, I mean the sunset is burnt orange after all!!!; the Spurs are the hometown team, you love them and your heart tugs for them; cousin (long story) Michael Jordan was THE BEST EVER – dominant on both offense and defense; the Bruins are toughness, history, blood, guts & glory; Team USA is America!; cheering for Spain is like reaching back to the past, a part of something that got me here; and then there’s the romance of baseball, and the Cubs.
Being a lifelong fan has always meant that you’d learn optimism and how to stay positive – how to win, and how to lose. You learn the game if you’re a Cubs fan. You’re forced to pay attention to the small things, to the players, to your fellow fans, to the ball park. The Cubs kind of teach you how to love in the purest sense of the word.
Anyway, you may have heard me say (many times!) that baseball is as romantic as I’ll ever get. That’s still true, so imagine me tonight. Tonight will be like looking at the love of your life and being so proud and remembering how much you love them and not being able to do anything about it!!! Okay, maybe that doesn’t make sense but I can’t really put it into words. Just know that while my stomach is in knots, my heart is bursting. Of course I want nothing more than for the Cubs to win tonight, but my heart is bursting win or lose. I will always love this team with all my heart.
I love all of my teams, but like all loves, baseball has its own merits for a different kind of love. One, because they’re my only major team I haven’t seen win the big one, and two, because they make my heart full. They’ve helped me create that positive part of me that only a Cubs fan can have.
If you love me, or even like me, the Cubs have something to do with that. So, I would appreciate your cheers and winning thoughts tonight! (If you’re truly an Indians fan, then obviously you do what you have to do…) Give the Cubs a chance. It may make your heart feel a little fuller. Or give you a heart attack. Either way.
And, now to breathe…
