Most games are lost, not won. ~Casey Stengel, American baseball player and manager
You sucked me in.
Ignited my enthusiasm
With teasing tweets and
Hopeful news stories.
You sucked me in
With all your pageantry
Of school colors and fight songs
Then left me hoarse with spirit cheers.
You sucked me in.
I had no choice really.
This business of being a fan
Demands total allegiance.
You sucked me in.
In every competition there’s
A winner and a non-winner.
No such thing as losers, of course.
You sucked me in.
Duped me with expectations for victory.
Ran up the score until I knew
Non-winning wasn’t an option for us.
You sucked me in.
Then gave up … wimped out.
Turned over the ball, failed to score,
Came up short when the clock ran to zero.
Never mind … perhaps next week we’ll win!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Sometimes sports sucks for the fans! There is always next week or in Chicago’s case next year! Optimism never seems to run out. Your gift of poetry never fails to amaze me!
As a lifelong Cubs fan, I can appreciate optimism! I guess it’s probably hardest on those fans who repeatedly buy season tickets, hoping for wins and settling for losses. Sometimes it’s easier yelling at the television set in the privacy of my own home! Thanks for your compliment, Kb!
As a very casual fan of the Houston Texans for several years, I know the dynamic well. I don’t wear team colors, or jerseys, or join the tailgaters, but I do hope for them to win, and there was that time…and that time…and that time… But they won last Sunday, which means if they win one more game this year, they will have equalled their winning record from a couple of years ago.
What I do appreciate is how well you captured what it must be like for a true fan. It’s nice to see it in poetic form!
The poor Texans. You’d think with the NFL’s fairly equal system of picking players, every team would be more balanced — as opposed to college football, where the very best players all seem to want to go to ‘Bama!! I’m glad to hear you liked this one, Linda.
Sounds like my relationship with the Mets long ago! 😉
Thanks, DD. I wrote this thinking of college football, actually, but re-reading it, ’tis pretty nebulous and can refer to almost any sport. Who knew?!!
Ha! A brilliant expression of the pain of being a sports fan! But it’s so great on those occasions when our team or hero does win! And maybe it’d get boring if they won every time… 😉
We all want to be winners, don’t we? Or, at least, have our guy or team come out victorious. But anybody can have a bad day, and any opponent can take advantage of weaknesses, leaving us on the “losing” side. Hmm, you really think it would be boring to win all the time?? Really? Eh, I’m not totally sure … I, for one, would like to try it out and see for myself, ha!
You must have watched the Notre Dame-Texas game.
You got me! Of course I did — and the Ole Miss-Florida State game. Both losses that should have been wins. Sigh.
*Sigh*
Debbie, you are so dang creative with these poems. This was faaaaaaabulous!
Personally, I’m not a sports fan but I live in a city that is all about the sports. However, Philly sports fans are notorious for being the worst in the U.S. because they are VERY poor losers. They actually get violent and start fist fights in the stadium, I kid you not. They are outright nasty to the opposing team fans whenever they play a home game here. Truly, it’s embarrassing how they act.
Thank god they won last Sunday, that’s all I can say – ha!
Have a grrrrrreat weekend, my friend!
X
I got a kick out of hearing that Philly fans are so rabid, Ron. We’re pretty much the same way in the SEC. I guess we’ve become accustomed to winning and nothing less passes muster. Perhaps we all need to remind ourselves that some of these guys are, after all, barely out of high school.
Thanks for your kind words on my poetry, my friend. Happy weekend to you — Fall arrives next week!!! xx
This is my life right now. Between football games and volleyball games. Fun, but man am I tired of bleachers. Great poem!
Thanks, ma’am — those bleachers aren’t easy on a mom’s posterior, but it’s important to support our kids. Domer was happy to see me in the stands … until he reached that certain age where parents are soooo embarrassing!!
I identify…for now they thrive on having me there which I’m so thankful for, Debbie. Domer is blessed to have you.
What a nice thing to say — and I’m sure your kids know how lucky they are to have YOU!
I like this playful sports poem! I’m not a sports fan of any teams (excepts kids in school), but my significant other is a true baseball nut. He has two teams: Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. He’s also a huge football fan. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Cubs 🙂
Thanks so much, Lana. I’m really following my alma mater — and Domer’s — and hoping they can stay healthy and play their best. Oh, and winning would be nice, too, ha!
That’s the spirit, Debbie!
Reminds of my husband when the Yankees and Giants lose. He gets so mad. But then again…”He was sucked in LOL!
My poor dog *hates* being in the same room with me when I’m watching college football, Tanya. Every time I jump off my seat and do the Happy Dance (or shake my fists at the refs!), he runs in circles, barking like crazy!!
You Deb…a football fan? You go girl!
You bet I am — and a fanatic fan, at that, ha!!
You totally captured the highs and lows of sports fans! I’m not a big watcher of sports games but I do enjoy competition shows like America’s Got Talent and it’s got its share of ups and downs 😉
Funny, but I rarely watch shows like The Voice or Dancing with the Stars. But I’m glad it comes across that I’m a huge fan of sports!! Thanks for stopping by, Christy!
But then we didn’t… Another loss in what was supposed to be a great year. Fingers crossed for this week! Go Irish!
‘Tis becoming a sad season for the Irish, Mo. Domer seems to think letting BVG go might be a positive, but only time will tell. If that doesn’t work, we might be looking for a new head coach — eek!!!
LOL – been there. But then I think even in losing, teams need support. Although being hoarse from cheering in celebration is more fun than its opposite.
That’s so true, Barb! I hate when half the student section disperses at halftime, winning or losing. Surely they could hold off on their victory dance (or their pity party) another half hour or so??!