Madbum? One-pitch ... One-hit Wonder-ment. World Series 2014 Yoooo!

It took Madison Bumgarner one pitch to shock me.

Game 5.  First toss of the game and the first ever I’d seen of this World Series made me take quick notice.  I’d brushed off watching any more baseball once the Tigers were swept out by the Orioles … I’d sworn off San Fran ever since those Barry Bonds fiasco days and sort of waved my hand over Kansas City ever since Sweeney – I think it was Sweeney – got into a tussle with the whole team because of – who was it? – Weaver? – I think it was Weaver.  Can’t even remember anymore, it’s been so long, but one thing’s for sure: It looks like I’ve been missing out on some tremendous talent.

            One pitch and I exhaled: “Wow.  That guy can throw.”

            Second toss and I couldn’t concentrate on bar trivia anymore, asking “Who is THAT?”

            Third toss and KC gets a hit but I’m not mad at the SF pitcher.  That hit was psycho good.

            I do declare, this became the first World Series in I don’t know how many years that made me want to watch the game itself again – despite whether they’re MY team or not.  The by-gone (finally and hopefully) junk about steroids or wild trades or mega salaries or non-baseball issues in general are no longer the major-most cloud blocking out the series - of course not yet the entire sport - itself.  It wasn’t that the teams before were bad … it’s just that there was so much behind-the-scene drama that made fans like me wonder, in not the greatest way, what we were watching. And ... gee ... um ... San Fran's almost always in it, so, I just couldn't look anymore! But looking up at the TV during trivia and ...

            ... there you are baseball.  You hooked me again.  I don’t believe this, but I am pumped for the game tonight.  I’m not rooting for either team … or in it for “fantasy” funds … I’m just aimin’ to watch some players play on an age-old diamond dream. (Although, something tells me my dad would want me to lean heavily towards a Kansas City win ...) And according to some pitching stats I've seen of who's next ... outside of SF's momentum, it's lookin' Royally good.  But, no one really knows ... and that's fantastic to me.

            One awesome pitch. One phenomenal hit. One very happy fan of the game rebirthed … and ready to hit up her pastime and pitch the past in the “that nasty part of baseball don’t live here no more” glovebox. It's anyone's game! 

Dear Detroit Tigers, You're Not Done Yet, Love NY

When you fall down you should stay down.  When you make a blunder one day, you should expect yourself to make the same mistake the next.  When you lose a lead in a game you gave your heart and soul to, you shouldn’t bother showing up for another game because chances are, you are not going to win.

            Good messages to teach society, Detroit?  After two miserable losses by the Tigers in the ALDS against the Orioles, those are essentially – even bluntly – the phrases I’m hearing from fans, from Detroit sports writers, from the very people that have supported this organization with Old English D’s on their heads and orange/blue tigers across their chests.  What happened?  Here I am, now a New Yorker … having left Motown for opportunities here in the Apple, but I’m still rooting for the Tigers.  It’s appalling that articles would wonder how anyone can still believe this ball team is “capable” of winning – at hearing words suggesting fans would not be “tolerant” not if but WHEN the next game goes bad.  Unbelievable.

            Look, I may live in and love New York, but I’m still loyal to my home team and town where I grew up.  And to those lucky enough to be going to that game today, please give your ticket to a real fan IF you’re planning on booing them when they’re down.  They’re not done yet.  If you’re going to write them off after a couple of really bad games, great.  Stay home.  As for me, if they end up struggling, I’m going to shout for them to keep trying.  IF they blow another lead, I’m going to be clapping for them all the way in NYC to hustle and get it back.  THAT is what fans do when their team is down.  That is what humans that believe in the power of kinship, comebacks and underdogs do.  Booing them is just begging for them to lose and you know what?  Bullies boo people that are down.  Lift them up.  They’re nervous because they care … they’re trying.  Lift them up.  Be behind them, pushing them forward and motivating them to win not just because they’re your home team but, because you are the type of fan that wears that team brand with pride no matter what.

            My message to them and to you: Detroit, you are one step closer to having another game.  Show this league and those newscasters and sports writers and everyone that says you can’t, that you still believe in yourselves.  It’s been done before; it can be done again.  And if that score doesn’t end up reflecting a win, be proud of the grit it took to get them that far.  If not this year, then the next.  Hey, neither of the New York teams are even in it anymore!  Tigers … “incapable?” BALONEY! Power to the D.  Go Tigers!  And if you call yourself a fan ... you better be rootin' for 'em, too ... or ELSE ... !