Well... That Was Rough

 The game on Saturday was disappointing to say the least.  They took us through all the emotions.  Anticipation, anxiety, hope, excitement, satisfaction, worry, disbelief…  The list goes on.  It was a gut wrenching loss.  They snatched defeat from the jaws of Victory.  Leaving an entire country numb and shaking their heads.  

The social media posts that followed were full of anger and criticism.  Understandably so.  Fans didn’t really know how to react.  Myself included.  After the game on Saturday, I actually entertained the thought that if I didn’t have so much money invested in clothing and gear that I’d consider giving them up on them so that I never had to feel the way that I felt after that game again.  

That being said, I’ve taken a step back.  Now that I have had some time to reflect, here are my thoughts.

This is a young team.  An inexperienced team.  A team that three weeks ago I wasn’t even sure would hold on and make the postseason.  A team that still makes mistakes.  A team that will continue to mature.  A team that was better than it was in 2021.

This is a team that had an overworked bullpen.  They desperately needed another starter at the deadline, but no trigger was pulled.  Instead, they acquired Mitch White.  As a result there were a number of bullpen days to get us to the end of the season.

This is a team with a young closer.  Who frankly should never have been called upon to get six outs.  Let alone with runners already on base.

This is a team with a first year manager who up until Saturday, had made very few mistakes.  More inexperience that will only get better with time.  That is, if he is given the opportunity.

This is a team with a lot of potential.

This is also a team that had no business losing a game that they were up 8-1 in.  That part is inexcusable.  But they did.

Sometimes I hate this team.  But, even when I do I still love them.

Instead of being angry, I’ve decided to be grateful.  It was a fun year.  They are a fun team.  It was fun to have the opportunity to watch them in the postseason.  To fly Jays flags on my house and car in support, even though it was short lived.  They gave us something to get excited about.

I’ve decided to be hopeful.  They have some holes to fill that I hope will be addressed this offseason.  They have some signings to ink and some trades to be made to make them better.  They have some work to do, both on and off the field.  My hope is that next year will be worth the wait and bear more fruit than this season. 

I’ve decided to get excited for next year.

Most importantly, I’ve decided not to give up on them.  I’ve been a fan all of my life.  I was at the Rogers Centre in the mid to late 2000’s when they would only draw 8000 fans on a Sunday.  When the only bright spot was Halladay, I was watching.  Nowadays, there is so much more to be excited about with this team.  

Did Saturday suck?  Yup!

Will it be the last time they disappoint me?  Absolutely not.

But no matter what they do, I will be watching.

Go Jays!