I grew up a Cardinals fan. I can remember listening to Jack Buck and Mike Shannon on the radio, while falling asleep. Dad almost always had the game on. Back then, it was a rare occasion to get to watch them on TV. We were always fans, no matter the score. I was born into Cardinal Nation and I am proud to be a part of a unique group of fans.
My schedule at my old job kind of pulled me away from being able to take in a game, whether on TV, the radio, or live at Busch Stadium. I do remember summers of fun with great friends as we invaded St. Louis to watch as many games as we could get to. I am especially fond of the summer of 1998, when Mark McGwire broke the home run record (no * here). I believe we attended about 10 games that summer. Me and my 2 roommates didn't hit every game together, but, we each went to about 10 games. None of us saw a home run until the day he tied the record. It was just meant to be I suppose!
So, fast forward 10 years or so. I would catch a game here or there, but, following the team became harder and harder, or maybe I just lost interest. The last couple of seasons have been easier to catch, or my interest has been sparked again. Watching games became more and more of a constant thing in the house.
The summer of 2011 brought more free time to get back into it and by mid-September, things got real exciting. Yelling and screaming at the TV became a new thing.....Gracy didn't like this. Apparently, I had never got that worked up on a consistent basis, because, by the time the postseason hit, Gracy was having issues. The sounds of the crowd and announcers would take her from a deep sleep to a place of anxiety.
As the postseason progressed, it got worse. So much so, that I even asked the oncologist if chemo could have made her ears more sensitive. Needless to say, she said no, laughed and blamed me! I learned that if I turned the TV volume down very low, Gracy, Cardinals Baseball and I could live in harmony. At least until game 6 and 7 of the World Series. Gracy was just going to have to learn to co-exist those two nights!
So, now we have made it to the postseason again this year. When I yell and scream, I get the look from her. The "turn the volume down" look. It may sound like I don't try to co-exist with her, but, I do. I do a lot of silent fist pumps when I would rather scream and shout!
As the Cardinals proceed farther into postseason, I hope that Gracy will learn to accept my excitement. We did a lot of practicing this summer. I am pretty sure it went in one ear and out the other. However, I will continue to reserve my excitement for what I feel are important moments (they all are, who am I kidding). I will use the yell and scream tactics for times when I feel the team needs me! I really wish my little sidekick would learn to love the game. She is NOT just a dog! Just NOT a baseball fan!
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We need to get her some ear plugs :)
ReplyDeleteI have thought of that....... :)
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