Earl Wilson once said: “A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.”
This man clearly has never had to endure the postseason as a Dodger fan.
It is that time of year where Dodger fans either begin to polish their rose-colored glasses or start preparing now for perceived postseason heartache. Now that the Boys in Blue cemented their eighth consecutive NL West Division championship this past Tuesday night, the fan population will be split down the middle as to how to proceed into the postseason. This team has gotten so close to a World Series win too many times in recent years, only to have it snatched away.
So where do fans fall? Are they part of the jaded/cynical fan camp? Or the wildly optimistic alternative? Or perhaps a combination of both? For some, it will take the form of indulging in tons of postseason related purchases as we move through each series. And others may be swearing off any type of merchandise while they hold out for World Series gear.
The team and fans alike will be found dusting off long-held superstitions while digging in closets for memorabilia. All of those traditions that have even some Dodger die-hards pulling out a collection of team shirts, lucky hats, sock(s), etc., so they can do their part and support the team. The last thing anyone wants is to be considered a jinx.
There can even be a divide amongst supporters who are not sure whether the team should celebrate every step of the way or not. Do they celebrate the milestone victories or hold onto it? Will holding onto it allow them to keep that fire burning while they chase their first World Series championship since the 1988 win over the Oakland Athletics in just five games in the seven-game series? With this season’s muted celebrations based on COVID safety practices, it may be a moot point.
Many fans might relate to the address made by Vin Scully Wednesday evening on social media while congratulating the Dodgers on clinching the NL West division. In his recording to fans, Vin said: “It’s very difficult to win. I think sometimes fans forget about it, thinking, ‘oh yes, now they’ve won it eight in a row’, but it is so hard no matter how many games you play to win.”
These words ring true in light of the 60 games being played during the shortened 2020 regular season – especially since there was a danger of not even having baseball in any form due to the pandemic.
Vin then went on to describe the different times throughout history when the Dodgers came so close to a win and, baseball being baseball, “there was that pain again as another one went down the drain. Over the years, it’s nice to win, but it really breaks your heart when you lose.”
Even though he retired in 2016, Vin’s voice still speaks for so many, as people everywhere start to transition to their postseason mindset. It does not matter which side a person falls on – Dodger fans may be anxious and suffer from too many baseball induced breakdowns to count, but at the end of the day, they all Bleed Blue.