I Give Up
Listed in: OtherIt's days like today that I wonder why I care about sports. First, the news comes down that the Sonics are almost certainly out the door. Sure, I knew it was likely to happen, but the news that the legislature refused to even discuss the issue feels like the last nail in the coffin. The sad thing is, I can't even get too worked up because even though I love the Sonics I don't really believe in spending hundreds of millions of dollars to bail out rich people. Plus, if building a new arena were a guarantee that the team would contend for championships that would be one thing. But even if the team were much more profitable, it's not as if that money would suddenly make the team good. The Mariners have successfully proven to me that building a new stadium only ensures that the team is profitable, not successful, and I couldn't care less about how much money the Sonics' ownership makes.
Then, the team celebrates the news by getting drilled by Dallas to cap off their worst season in over twenty years. The sad thing is, I was rooting for them to lose, simply so that they had a slightly better chance at getting Greg Oden. Of course, even if they do get him I'll only be able to watch him for one year before he ships out to Oklahoma City, so I suppose I'd better not get my hopes too high.
Of course, I had expected to have that mitigated by the fact that King Felix was pitching. I went down to the game filled with optimism, only to see him struggle with his location and then leave with elbow tightness after 1/3rd of an inning. Then, the Mariners get the tying run thrown out at the plate in the bottom of the ninth.
So I've decided that if Felix is out for any noticeable length of time (more than, say, three weeks), I'm giving up on sports for the summer. No Mariners, no MLB, no fantasy baseball, no NBA playoffs, no NFL Draft, no NBA draft, nothing. Maybe I'll pay attention when football season starts up. But in all honesty, I can't say I'm that excited about the Seahawks either. I think it would be a wonderful way to spend a Northwest summer: hiking, swimming, and stop subjecting myself to the inevitable heartache that sports provide. Seriously, in my 23 years as a sports fan not once have I been left with a reward that feels worth the investment. My favorite team of all time didn't even make the championship round, that's how pathetic things have become. So perhaps I'll have to say "so long sports." I don't think I'd miss you.
In fact, upon further reflection my sports fandom appears rather insane. Sure, the games can be fun distractions, and it's neat to marvel at the sheer athleticism on display. But to get as worked up as I do, so that games which I have no control over can ruin my mood for days or weeks (like the Super Bowl)? What the hell is wrong with me? Why should I continue to care? It would be one thing if one of my teams had won, I could look back on that moment and say "see, this is why I care...because in the end, after all the heartbreak and agony, the winning is all the sweeter." But those moments don't exist for me.
Comments
tough day for us seattle folks...but maybe felix will be OK, and it's just one loss in what will be like 90...so that's not so bad!
my worst pain as a sports fan came my freshman year at UW when my hometown SF Giants, up 3-2 in the World Series, blew a 5-0 lead in the 7th and lost the series.
that was an indescribable pain.
Posted by: The Big Picture | April 19, 2007 4:17 PM
I feel your pain and can sympathize with wanting to walk away from sports as I've had similar thoughts in the past. However, as a fan who has seen my favorite teams win titles, I will say that it is a great feeling of elation when it does happen. I've felt the heartbreak too though, and I'd probably say that the heartbreak outweighs the elation overall; but always remember that the sweet ain't as sweet without the sour.
Posted by: WildYams | April 19, 2007 6:28 PM
Zachary, as a Seattle fan, you have every right to feel like crap right about now. I'm in Oly, and I feel your pain. But to give up on sports altogether would, in my opinion, a big mistake. You've just got to learn to appreciate them for what they are.
Big Picture, I'm right there with you on that gut-wrenching feeling of the Giants losing. Getting so close certainly hurts worse than not getting there at all. BTW... correct me if I'm wrong, but does the Giants last three wins constitute a winning streak? I had almost forgotten the meaning of the word.
Posted by: Kevin | April 21, 2007 3:22 PM
You must be really despondent if hiking is your number-one alternative to a sports-filled summer!!
Posted by: dad | April 25, 2007 12:30 AM