Just A Little More Perspective Please

by 78Bruin on Feb 11, 2008 11:18 PM PST

Over 24 hours since the disappointing loss. Plenty of time to reflect on the meaning of the defeat and ample opportunity to peruse the rantings of the "chicken littles" in the Bruin blogosphere and listen to local media types write off the season. I even saw someone on this website refer to the team as "underachievers." What part of 21-3 is underachieving??

I am an eternal pessimist (I'm an SF Giants fan --nuff said?)and I still believe this team will make it to San Antonio. Why? Because they know how to win. They are, to a man, winners. And not even winners win every game.

Are they not entitled to have a bad game against a talented, well-coached team with nothing to lose, a team with their backs against the wall which is desperately trying to salvage their season in front of their loyal fans?

The Bruins walked off the floor with their heads down, as a team ashamed of their performance should do. But they did not lose their dignity. No post-game excuses were offered. Nobody said the extra day threw them off. Nobody said they missed Luc. Nobody said DC was feeling under the weather. Aside from some ill-advised grumbling from a frustrated KL--which I guarantee you've heard the last of--the team comported themselves like the champions they are.

Don't forget, they still are kids. They can't get jacked up for every game. They left nothing on the floor in Pullman and it showed in Seattle. It was just a bad game -- their worst of the year. So what.

I can always measure the strength of a Bruin team in the way I react to an unexpected loss. Just think back to your reaction to the Utah and ND losses. When the anger subsided, you really weren't surprised were you? Compare that to yesterday. I was not angry.Surprised? Yes--I firmly believe this team can win every game. Disappointed? Yes. Worried? Nah.

With or without Luc, I guarantee you they will find a way to win on Sunday. The intensity and focus will return. And so will the smiles on your faces.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Comments

well put 78.

Nicely done.

by kdout on Feb 11, 2008 11:59 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, good post!

I share a membership in your Pessimist's Club being also a SF Giants fan (somewhere I got Willie Mays', Willie McCovey's, Willie Kirkland's, Felipe Alou's, and Johnny Antonelli's autographs from the many, many games I used to watch at Seals Stadium). I wonder if you are also member of another club that seems to instill a less than sunny disposition in its membership of late?

..The 49ers Fan Club.

Persevere!

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Feb 12, 2008 5:54 AM PST reply actions

Misery Loves Company

Wow! Seals Stadium!! Your addiction to the Giants pre-dates mine. I got hooked in 1963. I attended Game 6 of the 2002 WS and had a bottle of Champagne on ice in the car. I finally drank it last year to celebrate my 20th anniversary but it really didn't taste too good as it was a stark reminder of that awful evening. Still and forever blame Dusty for lifting Ortiz. Yes, I also am a Niner fan. You talk about disappointment!! At least we got 5 rings and some good memories.

by 78Bruin on Feb 12, 2008 7:48 AM PST up reply actions

68 and 78 - Listen very carefully

You can beat this thing. Lots of people have. But first you have to face facts, and admit that you have a problem. You have plenty of friends here to help you. We can bring you back from the dark side. Some day, the thought of actually being a fan of the giants or the forty-niners will seem like some nightmare from long ago.

(I'm not saying I'm perfect. I root for the Rays and the Bucs. Our slogan for this year - "500 or Bust.)

by Fox 71 on Feb 12, 2008 10:12 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks 71....but

as far as I'm concerned, the only dark side is that which emanates from the corner of Figueroa and Exposition. Nothing else, not even the Dodgers, comes close.

by 78Bruin on Feb 12, 2008 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

Yea, me too..

Man, even though I was "on board" before you, you are hard core by attending that WS game. Charles Shultz did a Peanuts strip about that game where he had Linus and Charley Brown (or..?) moping at the curb for about three panels until one of them says, "if only McCovey had hit it six inches higher." He was referring to the line drive that Willie Mac hit to Bobby Richardson at 2nd. Seems liek the Giants are overtaking the Cubs for World Serious frustration (as Ring Lardner used to say).

They will be back and so will the Niners..

..some day. I only hope I am alive.

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Feb 12, 2008 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

Your team has been to the WS in your life time

I'm a Cubs fan. 'nuff said.

by Raisin on Feb 12, 2008 10:10 AM PST reply actions

OK Raisin, you asked for the Tommy Lasorda joke

Tommy tells this better than I do.

A Dodger fan, a Giant fan and a Cubs fan were sitting in a bar enjoying a few beverages, and as the evening wore on, the Dodger fan decided he could not take the suspense any longer. So he set down his beer, got down on his knees and prayed - "God, please tell me. Will the Dodgers ever win the World Series?" To the surprise of all, there were suddenly a bunch of clouds inside the bar, and thunder and lightning, and a booming voice said, "Yes, my son. And soon."

So the Giant fan thought he would try. He got down on his knees, and prayed - "God, tell me. Will the Giants ever win the World Series?" Same thing - clouds, thunder, lightning. And the deep voice boomed "Yes, my son, but not in your lifetime."

The Cubs fan thought this was it, and he would take a chance, too. So he dropped to his knees, and prayed - "God, please tell me. Will the Cubs ever win the World Series?" Once again, clouds appeared, thunder rolled, lightning flashed, and a deep voice said, "Yes, my son, but not in My lifetime."

thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the veal and don't forget to tip the waitress.

by Fox 71 on Feb 12, 2008 10:18 AM PST up reply actions

I laughed

It's probably true. :(

by Raisin on Feb 12, 2008 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

NOOOOOO!!!!

Say it ain't so! I too am a Cubs fan...thanks to WGN. I moved to Florida in 1989...it was either rooting for the Cubs or for the Braves (blakh...yuck!). Well, my dad is a Cubs fan, having gotten his master's at Illinois and worked in Chicago in the late 60's. So I started watching the games...Shawn Dunston, Mark Grace, Ryan Sandberg...losing to the bastard Giants in the pennant (man I hated Will Clark!). I don't care if they haven't won a WS in forever, the Cubs are still THE baseball team with the coolest stadium. By the way, did you know that they used to play spring ball on Catalina Island?! Mr. Wrigley still owns a mansion there, I believe...

by tasser10 on Feb 12, 2008 12:27 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I did

They even had one spring training in Pasadena.

I was born in Chicago before my mom had enough of the winters and moved us here when I was 8. But that was enough time for me to become a Bears, Bulls and Cubs fan. I'll even root for Northwestern (when they're not playing UCLA in the Sun Bowl!) since my mom went to school there.

by Raisin on Feb 12, 2008 12:58 PM PST up reply actions