This game will break your heart.
Any game will, but especially one where success is hitting a ball three out of 10 times and even the best aren’t perfect.
I’m talking about baseball, and for the first time I really understand.
I started following baseball in 2004 when the D-backs had a season that drove the biggest fan to tears.
In my baseball naiveté I didn’t feel the pain, just watched a few games and enjoyed the popcorn.
The next seasons varied between bad and slightly better, and then in 2007 the D-backs had the best record in the NL and made it to the NLDS.
After that taste of greatness, the fade that followed, brought to an all time low in 2010 during the A.J. Hinch era, was harder to handle.
Then came this year and under new management the D-backs weren’t just good – they were great.
The offense and bullpen were reliable, and there was an attitude of tenacity and dedication that made up for weaknesses.
The D-backs managed to take the NLDS to a fifth game after going down by two.
Everyone took a deep breath.
And then we lost and I couldn’t watch baseball for a week.
Despite the heartbreak, and almost because of it, I’m more of a fan than ever.
When does Spring Training start?
Reach the reporter at dkmcinty@asu.edu
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