Playoffs equal vacation for A's players

So another regular baseball season has come and gone, and the playoffs have begun. Now, don't get me wrong, I fucking love the playoffs. As a semi-good Dodgers fan, I found myself clapping every time they made a defensive out, or got a hit, while I was watching the game tonight alone in my apartment. Because even teams you just "really like," as opposed to "are obsessed with," the playoffs ratchet up that excitement tenfold. Also, I am two blocks from Wrigley Field, where the game was played, and that adds to the fun.

This year was good to me for baseball. I went to Spring Training, and during the season went to seven stadiums. I went to opening day in San Diego, and saw one of the last games of the season for the Cubs. I saw the A's (my true team) play in three stadiums, and I saw a two-hitter. I could have done a lot worse.

However, all that pales in comparison to the fact that my A's were out of it by, oh, say, week two. And that's all that really matters, when it comes down to it. I consider myself a true fan of baseball, in that I will go to any game to watch any two teams play. I just love the sport. But the A's, well, that's all I really care about. Last days of the season, when they were 22 games out of first place, I was getting my text message alerts from ESPN after the third, sixth, and ninth inning, and I was invested. Because GOD FORBID the A's lost a worthless game to the Mariners the second to last game of the season!

Even worse, the A's had a game canceled this season because it was so unimportant. The Orioles chose not to make up a rain-out, thus shortening the A's schedule by a game. And no one minded, cause fuck it if the A's don't play a whole schedule. Doesn't matter.

Again. Playoffs are fucking awesome, and I'll watch all the games. However, when you root for a team that hasn't been good in years, there's a lot of pain that comes with "waiting til next year," when you know next year won't be any better.

And I'll be at Spring Training again, next year, too. Because hope springs eternal, even for the Oakland A's.