Being a life long Pirate fan I can relate. Uh...no I can't. The Cards consistently compete, we do not, but I still care. Way too much. Anyone reading this newsletter should also read Mr Leitch's "Are We Winning" (nice book dipshit!) That's a great book.
Birds of a (red) feather. Once I came to grips that the season was a bust (and it took me awhile) I'm less stressed still watching, reading and listening to anything Cardinals baseball. I will mourn October and count the days until April.
I enjoyed reading this so much. Thank you for putting into words what being a fan means. In the middle of a shitstorm of horrible news this was a lovely respite.
Great post that perfectly captures the nostalgia-driven insanity of being a ride or die baseball fan. As a third-generation Baltimoron and Os fan I can completely relate, even if liking them right now is the easiest thing in the world. One of my earliest memories is from Memorial Stadium, and I was at Camden for 2131, the All-Star game, Brady Anderson’s lead-off home run off Chad Ogea in the 97 ALCs, and countless less exciting and less important performances. I can still reel off journeymen/utility infielders (paging Jeff Reboulet and Tim Hulett!). Every time I return to Camden, which happens less and less these days, sadly, a feeling of relaxation washes over me. The world may seem to get dumber by the day, but those green seats remain, beckoning you to distract yourself for a few hours.
All that said, now that I’ve been in Asheville for over a decade, I’m on the cusp of adopting the Braves as my second-favorite team. We’re only 3 1/2 hours away, making it a relatively easy trip when my boys get older, and, of course, it’s the team whose broadcasts we get on the radio. Curious, Will, if you’ve tiptoed toward Braves fandom given your proximity?
I could literally live in Truist Park -- which is in Smyrna -- and the Braves wouldn't be in my top 20 teams. Proximity, I've found, breeds resentment rather than affection.
Ha! Shoulda seen that coming. Intraleague adoption is probably verboten, which is why I can like the Braves, kinda sorta (and not just because they're kicking ass now; I mean, they had a star who spelled his name Andruw!) and you can enjoy the Orioles.
I like a lot of teams/players but the Braves are the only team I live or die with, who can affect my mood by winning or losing. Because of that, during their rebuilding years pre-Acuña, I would have to disconnect a bit as the seasons wore on. I'd still watch nearly every game, but as soon as the game started to go south I'd turn it off. (If my MLB alerts told me we were coming back, I'd switch it back on.) It's tough to find that balance between staying committed to the team (which pays off when they start to get good again) and not making yourself (and by extension your family) miserable.
Being an Illini fan, now that's what prepares you for life. Christ, that first half was a debacle. You could just hear the air leaking out of poor Martin O'Donnell.
Eh, Kansas might go 9-3 for all we know. Illinois will be good by the years end. People were depressed after they lost to that bad Hoosier team early last year.
Bully is great, even greater live. She has some anxiety about performing and seems to have to will herself to do it. But she also lets it all out on the stage. Saw her a few weeks ago here in LA and was...great. Also, Go Cubs.
This made me look to see when Bully is coming my way (DC/Baltimore) and its 9/24... but I already have tickets to another show that night: Ratboys (out of Chicago). Will, I think you would like them also, if you haven't already checked them out.
Pickleball and robot fights! 😂
Being a life long Pirate fan I can relate. Uh...no I can't. The Cards consistently compete, we do not, but I still care. Way too much. Anyone reading this newsletter should also read Mr Leitch's "Are We Winning" (nice book dipshit!) That's a great book.
I will say, if someone did like this particular newsletter, that book would likely be right up their alley.
Yes - "Are We Winning" is a great book!!
Birds of a (red) feather. Once I came to grips that the season was a bust (and it took me awhile) I'm less stressed still watching, reading and listening to anything Cardinals baseball. I will mourn October and count the days until April.
It's definitely less stressful, that's for sure!
I enjoyed reading this so much. Thank you for putting into words what being a fan means. In the middle of a shitstorm of horrible news this was a lovely respite.
Thanks! Don't get drowned by the shitstorm!
Great post that perfectly captures the nostalgia-driven insanity of being a ride or die baseball fan. As a third-generation Baltimoron and Os fan I can completely relate, even if liking them right now is the easiest thing in the world. One of my earliest memories is from Memorial Stadium, and I was at Camden for 2131, the All-Star game, Brady Anderson’s lead-off home run off Chad Ogea in the 97 ALCs, and countless less exciting and less important performances. I can still reel off journeymen/utility infielders (paging Jeff Reboulet and Tim Hulett!). Every time I return to Camden, which happens less and less these days, sadly, a feeling of relaxation washes over me. The world may seem to get dumber by the day, but those green seats remain, beckoning you to distract yourself for a few hours.
All that said, now that I’ve been in Asheville for over a decade, I’m on the cusp of adopting the Braves as my second-favorite team. We’re only 3 1/2 hours away, making it a relatively easy trip when my boys get older, and, of course, it’s the team whose broadcasts we get on the radio. Curious, Will, if you’ve tiptoed toward Braves fandom given your proximity?
I could literally live in Truist Park -- which is in Smyrna -- and the Braves wouldn't be in my top 20 teams. Proximity, I've found, breeds resentment rather than affection.
Ha! Shoulda seen that coming. Intraleague adoption is probably verboten, which is why I can like the Braves, kinda sorta (and not just because they're kicking ass now; I mean, they had a star who spelled his name Andruw!) and you can enjoy the Orioles.
I like a lot of teams/players but the Braves are the only team I live or die with, who can affect my mood by winning or losing. Because of that, during their rebuilding years pre-Acuña, I would have to disconnect a bit as the seasons wore on. I'd still watch nearly every game, but as soon as the game started to go south I'd turn it off. (If my MLB alerts told me we were coming back, I'd switch it back on.) It's tough to find that balance between staying committed to the team (which pays off when they start to get good again) and not making yourself (and by extension your family) miserable.
This is sane, and, I've discovered, impossible for me!
Being an Illini fan, now that's what prepares you for life. Christ, that first half was a debacle. You could just hear the air leaking out of poor Martin O'Donnell.
Eh, Kansas might go 9-3 for all we know. Illinois will be good by the years end. People were depressed after they lost to that bad Hoosier team early last year.
I'm hopeful! The lines were supposed to be a lot better than this, though.
I’d like to think Richie Palacios took uniform number 67 as a tribute to one of the greatest teams in Cardinals history.
Is there a list of book signings/appearances anywhere online? I know that a few have already taken place, but curious if there're more on the horizon.
Two more stops! Lincoln, Nebraska on September 29 and St. Simons, Georgia on October 26! https://www.facebook.com/will.leitch.writer/posts/pfbid02by2juN7xvUbR6P32HYYzxvYAyAvVzqtnx42qrwm6eyg38Ay7DUYFgzSaDUrc7Sg9l
Try being a Maple Leaf fan and write this. I was two when they last won the Cup. Still - maybe this year!
You all have *more* than earned one.
Bully is great, even greater live. She has some anxiety about performing and seems to have to will herself to do it. But she also lets it all out on the stage. Saw her a few weeks ago here in LA and was...great. Also, Go Cubs.
They're in Atlanta next month and trying to move heaven and earth to get there.
This made me look to see when Bully is coming my way (DC/Baltimore) and its 9/24... but I already have tickets to another show that night: Ratboys (out of Chicago). Will, I think you would like them also, if you haven't already checked them out.
We are up and posting early today!