The Heartache of a Pennant Race

Following a sports team is a lot like being in love. It has the same ups--exhilaration, excitement, occasional euphoria, but it also has the downs--heartbreak, frustration, and misery. It makes one wonder whether it is all worth it.

Just over a month ago the Tigers were ten games up in the division. This morning, they are a half-game ahead of their closest rival, the Minnesota Twins, with eleven games to play. After having the best record in baseball for most of the season, the Tigers are in real danger of missing the playoffs entirely.

It's been a while since I've been through this with this team. The last time was 1987, when they staged a miraculous comeback by sweeping the Blue Jays the last weekend of the season to win the division. The clinching, winner-take-all game was a 1-0 victory by Frank Tanana. I have never been so tense watching a game in my life. Well, here we go again. The only solace is that the White Sox have dug a bit of a whole, so the Tigers could still win the wild card. But that would mean a first-round match-up with the Yankees (shudder).

I just have to keep reminding myself that it's only a game, and the fortunes of this team don't effect my life in the slightest. But if they do lose, it will be a bitter pill to swallow.