It’s Supposed to Be Hard

And yes, before I begin, that is what she said.

You know what sucks? Lots of stuff, recently. Let’s review:

• Losing consecutive, heartbreaking games
• Blowing saves
• Not scoring enough runs
• Losing games to “lesser opponents’
• Wasting quality starts
• Staying up late to watch the O’s lose
• Having to wonder if the bullpen is well enough constructed for a playoff run
• Watching opportunities to pick up ground in the standings slip away

These things all suck. Do you know what’s worse? Not getting to care about baseball in August. And believe me, I say this from experience. In past seasons, Baltimore had already shifted gears by this point in the season. Attention was being paid to what might happen in the Hot Stove season (once those contending teams wore themselves out doing whatever it is that they do when it gets colder). We also forced ourselves to care about the Ravens’ position battle for 4th WR. August used to be a desperate time for Baltimore sports fans. And that sucks.

After two gut-wrenching losses in Arizona, Orioles fans should remember that, though the season is winding down, there is still plenty of reason for excitement. The Orioles are relevant in the playoff picture, and the next month-and-a-half will be an exciting sprint to the finish. This season is different from what we’re used to. We’ve had too many reasons to be cynical and pessimistic in the latter portions of the season, that we sometimes miss the forest for the trees.

Buckle Up, O’s fans – no one said this was going to be easy. Caring about something means that you’ll occasionally get hurt. And frankly, that’s a good thing.

It sure beats the alternative.