Throwback Thursday: A Loser’s Tale (Redux 2012)

As Jake regaled us today with his harrowing tale from last night, I thought it would be only fitting to remind you of one of my worst nights in Camden Yards.  It unfortunately is the night that I had built up in my head for 14 years that was going to be the greatest night in Baltimore.  Sadly, I was wrong.  I just don’t know if I could have guessed how wrong I could have been that night.

The game was slotted to begin at 6:07 PM, but the God of Weather had other ideas on this night.

The stadium was a sell-out and Camden Yards has never been known for a spacious concourse especially in the Upper Deck.  Groups of huddled masses surrounded each other seeking shelter and warmth on a Mid 50’s night in October.  Where was the magic that we had hoped there to be?

Finally, the game began at 8:47 and the stadium erupted with cheers and hollers that mimicked similar to the September 6th game earlier that year (which is probably one of the best games that I have ever attended).  What proceeded was a close back and forth affair, but if you look at the box score it’s quite interesting to look at the production:

The little to no production from either Jones, Wieters, or Machado is something that amiss in the lineup.  And the fact that Lew Ford was the DH in ALDS Game 1 is something that have blanked from memory a long time ago.  Comparing this lineup in 2014 to what we had back in 2012 is breathtaking to see how much better this team has become top to bottom.

But the game went on back and forth like a classic chess match, we all inched closer in our seats with each flyball in the air that wet cold night in October.  Until the 9th inning when the nightmares began for the Orioles faithful.  Jim Johnson entered the game and the music promptly died:

Even after the Martin HR, I don’t think many Orioles fans were ready to pack it in.  However, the constant hits afterwards leading to a 6-2 score prior to Hunter coming in basically eliminated any chance of a comeback.  To put it into perspective in terms of the WP through the game:

I quickly gathered my things with Hunter coming in as I had seen enough for one night.  My illusions of grandeur for this evening had been split asunder and all I was left with as wet ticket stub of playoff hopes that were squandered away.  Worst of all, I had purchased tickets to ALDS Game 1 and 3 in hopes a week earlier that the Orioles would be hosting the Division Series after winning the pennant.

I proceeded out of the stadium with Jake’s and my wife as one of those sulking fans leaving the stadium.  We had parked further away from the stadium than I ever had making the walk even worse on this evening.  We promptly returned to the UMD Biopark to find the garage had been locked in preparation for the Columbus Day Holiday the next day.  After quickly realizing this, I had a moment.  A shameful moment.  Fourteen years of anxiety and angst left my body as I convulsed in a way that only one of my children could in their worst temper tantrums.  When I had stopped, my backpack had ended up across Baltimore Street flung nearly thirty feet and any energy or magic of the season that was in 2012 was instantly forgotten.  My items were gathered up and I was ushered back to the Penn and Pratt garage where I was driven home by Jake.  Words may have been spoken that night on the forty minute car ride home, but I heard nothing except the cheers and roars of the Yankees fans in my head.

Losses can and will occur in Baseball.  But on this night, it was more.  It was a dark day personally for how I handled myself and embarrassed my wife in the process.  To this day, I do not wish to speak about this game.  Consider this post as my therapy healing in coming to grips with a dark side of myself.

In the end, I will be told that Baseball is just a game, but I quote the following:

 “Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.” -George Will