Been waiting since 1988 when the RTD costs $1 and half of the school decided to leave after homeroom and make their way downtown to see Fernando Valenzuela, feel the mania in person, and catch a glimpse of “El Toro,” on a parade float.
It was amazing to see someone who resembled friends, neighbors, family lead the home team to an amazing victory. My dad got a new hat that year, don’t know where that one would be, as it’s not in my stash, but since he was busy working and didn’t have the luxury of leaving, parades were not in his future. So the hat helped celebrate the spirit of the neighborhood, and city.
I remember our neighbors being huge fans and celebrating the victory for days. Budweiser was the king of beers at the time and there was plenty of toasting going on. There was an extra spring in everyone’s step.
And now I’ve got my bounce back.
Finally.
After so much heartbreak of coming up short, then getting robbed one year, and failing to reach the bar the next, it felt like the stumbling would continue. But then it finally happened and I was able to watch and celebrate this rollercoaster ride with the kids. Making our own scrapbook of memories.
But to be honest, watching as a kid was a lot less stressful than watching it now. My intensity levels keep strengthening and the faith of childhood dreams with big comebacks don’t always show up nowadays … But I was hopeful and believed in Blue for decades because as you get older the stronger your allegiance to your team.
I feel the stress and anxiety of these games a bit more as an adult, when you realize that second, third, or even fifth chances don’t come often. You realize how deep it runs, the love of the game. The intensity of my fan being puts me a little over the edge … especially when questionable pitching decisions snowballed into a disaster of an avalanche and I was left in my Costanza-Burgundy moments.
.
I was more passionate about the game, and all the emotions that came with that comeback. I was grateful for the win last night. So grateful this happened to be a moment for the Jar of Awesome, sharing it with the kids … that created a memory all on it’s own. I’m hoping they’ll look back on it, just as I did. Hanging with my pops, baseball cap, and jumping up and down and screaming yesssssssssssssssssssssssss as they rushed the field.
And so I celebrate with my kids, along with the rest of the city, and enjoy the feel-good vibes that come with finally winning a World Series, of tipping my hat to players who’ve been on the roster for a long time and happy they’ve finally earned the ring they so deserve.
1988 was a long time ago.
And I was getting tired of waiting.
Hopeful … and with fingers crossed. It happened.
Buen Camino
The Wish Factor 
I can feel your love for the game. Loved the way you looked back then related it today. Oh yes, I remember Fernando. The man could pitch. Back to today, the Dodgers did it again!
Duuuuude the famous windup looking up to the sky and the screwball was his pitch! No one could touch that one. He was pretty awesome and I was lucky enough to get his autograph. Remember everyone having Fernandomania It was awesome.
… and ad a Reds fan, I didn’t enjoy knowing he was the opposing pitcher. The man could pitch!
That was back when pitchers lasted eight or nine innings 🙂
Absolutely.
A great game is a powerful adrenaline rush. Thanks for sharing the thrill & excitement. I need to watch the replays. Have an amazing weekend.
Thanks! The game was so intense. All the games were and I was grateful for the distraction and being able to cheer on my team. It’s something positive in this upside down time
I picked the Dodgers in five. Really, if not for that wild walk off in Game 4, I might have been right.
Congrats Cali. 🙂
DUDE I can’t eeeeeeeeven tell you I just can’t (I know Cayman may not approve of this phrase) but I can’t! Ecstatic! Completely jumping on the the couch losing my mind with happiness. Toasting to Gonzalez and Urias, Seager, Hernandez, Kershaw and the rest of my Boys in Blue. The kids and I were jumping like we had a trampoline indoors. But I’ve GOT to tell you that Game 4 … Duuuuude livid. I’m super grateful they shook off one of the ugliest losses I’ve ever seen. Being a fan is an emotional rollercoaster 🙂
So good, this team. Betts was the finishing touch for a club that had come so close before. And Kershaw, putting to rest his postseason question mark for once and for all. It was well deserved.
Dude I was so happy for Kersh finally the haters needed to be quiet. It was good to see.
I hate it when players get that label. It’s HARD to win a title! The haters are the people who never played and don’t know better.