Go Sox
Go Sox
Eli,
Now I know that you have pretty good parents and given how they were parented, they're doing the best they can. Actually, I think on most of the issues, they're doing exceptionally well.
But in one area, I have concerns.
Now on occasion, say if one plans poorly and must catch the last flight out of town, that probably is an acceptable excuse to leave prior to the end of the game.
But I think they took you home early, thinking you were getting tired and cranky (impossible, I know, as the Sox were winning).
But here's the thing:
It's never over 'til it's over.
Some people say, ‘ it's never over 'til the fat lady sings,' a politically incorrect reference to an opera not being over until the Diva has had her 'say' at the end. I trust you will not use phrases such as these once you learn to speak.
Anyway, this lesson about a game not being over until the final out was well illustrated this week in Baltimore. My cousin Rob and I attended the Sox-Orioles games Tues. and Wed. and had one left either game prior to the ninth inning, one would have been most surprised to read about the game the next morning.
In the Wed., game, for instance, the Sox were ahead 9-1 when there was a rain delay (and the Orioles had not batted in the bottom of the 5th so it was not an official game yet). Cousin Rob and Grand Papa stayed, of course, even tho Cousin Rob said, "no way the Sox bullpen could blow a 9-1 lead.” (Unfortunately, I must admit that I nodded my head in agreement).
So, of course, the Sox didn’t blow a 9-1 lead. They made it 10-1 before their bullpen imploded. Then they lost the game 11-10 by giving away five runs in each of the last two innings. It was the biggest come from behind victory in the Oriole's history.
And a sad day for the Sox, Rob and your Grand Papa. The long ride back to DC after midnight was miserable.
Game two. Going into the 9th inning, the Sox were losing 5-1. They got two runs, making it 5-3. Then, with the Orioles just one out away from another defeat of the Sox, our heroes tied the game and sent it into extra innings. And, of course, we won it in the 11th inning, much to the consternation of the Oriole fans who had been licking their chops (and rubbing in the previous night’s fiasco) at the prospect of beating the Sox two in a row.
Rob and I were ecstatic.*
It took a good bit of the sting out of the previous night’s humiliating loss.
So you see, here were two examples of the importance of the rule stated above.
Bottom line: never, ever leave before the final out, expecting that you know the outcome.
And since life imitates baseball, you will find that this rule applies in many aspects of daily living too.
PS: for transparency purposes, note the following:
*(I am sad to say that cousin Rob did not plan all that well and had a flight that necessitated our leaving before the end of the Thursday game. I have mostly forgiven Rob, probably because the Sox won, but it was not something one should do, i.e., ever leave any Sox game before the final out).
(Cousin Rob asked that I mention that he believes Grand Papa jinxed the Sox in the first game when I used Sam's ‘Handicap’ sticker to park closer to the stadium than I could have with out it. I know there is some disagreement among baseball fans about jinxes, curses, etc., but we can discuss that another time).
Fondly,
Grand Papa
**Also posted on ‘Family & Friends’ Blog.
7/2/09
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO BEGIN A SOX EDUCATION:
Letter to a Grandson**