Fun or torture?

[FVBrewerFan]

I simply can’t take watching playoff sports. I haven’t seen any or listened to any since 1978. My team always loses and so I stopped punishing myself. I changed my whole approach. All my thoughts and emotions go into the regular season, most of all just enjoying the story and the ebb and flow. This season was my all time favorite season for my beloved Brewers and no amount of post season games are gonna take away its pleasure. That was 163 wonderful games. They proved they’re the best team in the National League and these tournament games are just a slap in the face for all the hard work they put in. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

Wow. Just curious if this team gave you a ton of joy, and post season can't change that then why not watch? You cant be dissapointed, and the upside is even more fun!

[Ennder]

It was torture until I added about 5 posters to my foe list who were mostly completely negative and wrong about every single thing they said. Forum is so much better now. Nothing worse than an ignorant downer. Final straw was the stupid posts about how Braun made a mistake by getting hit by a batted ball with 2 outs when he is supposed to be running full bore on contact without looking back at the plate. If you don't understand you are wrong here you aren't worth reading.

[FVBrewerFan]

It was torture until I added about 5 posters to my foe list who were mostly completely negative and wrong about every single thing they said. Forum is so much better now. Nothing worse than an ignorant downer. Final straw was the stupid posts about how Braun made a mistake by getting hit by a batted ball with 2 outs when he is supposed to be running full bore on contact without looking back at the plate. If you don't understand you are wrong here you aren't worth reading.

 

I did the same for a while, but not blocking anymore. Why? Its comedy gold.

 

Game 1, as JJ is struggling. "Hes rusty, no wonde hes blowing it."

Game 3. " Stupid stupidhead using JJ in a 6-0 game!

 

I mean, you cant make this stuff up. Ges rusty ane overused at the same time. To this day people are on CC about starting Kratz. Perez, etc. Seemingly every pitching change. Then CC proves them wrong over and over and over again. Its just too much fun to miss. Its like some people really believe they know more about how/when to use players than the coaches and training staff.

 

So dont block, include it as part of the fun.

[djd1228]

For me it's the feeling i have at the time that decides how much it affects me.

 

I'm not old enough for '82, but in '08 it was elation to just make it to the dance but was torture during the end of the season race.

 

'11 was torture in the playoffs. I expected them to win the NLDS however which made me a nervous wreck when it took a walkoff in game 5.

 

This year, I felt if we could just make it to the NLDS we would be just fine. The chance of a possible 1 game tiebreaker scared the crap out of me. When they won the division, for whatever reason I knew they would win so i wasnt worried at all.. The NLCS will be a different story for sure.

[Bobafett89]

Fun. I don't let losses affect me much anymore. During the game when my teams are losing I'm very frustrated but when the game ends, time to move on to real life. If we win, I enjoy the hell out of it. I'm constantly on this site and reading recaps and articles to relive it

Very good way to look at it. If they win, celebrate 4 a few days or weeks. And move on. If they lose. Get over it, and proceed to work the next day.

[Ennder]

 

I did the same for a while, but not blocking anymore. Why? Its comedy gold.

 

Game 1, as JJ is struggling. "Hes rusty, no wonde hes blowing it."

Game 3. " Stupid stupidhead using JJ in a 6-0 game!

 

I mean, you cant make this stuff up. Ges rusty ane overused at the same time. To this day people are on CC about starting Kratz. Perez, etc. Seemingly every pitching change. Then CC proves them wrong over and over and over again. Its just too much fun to miss. Its like some people really believe they know more about how/when to use players than the coaches and training staff.

 

So dont block, include it as part of the fun.

 

I've come to understand for me personally it isn't fun to read. It is just frustrating. I'd rather not engage with people like that either since you aren't going to change their minds. Avoiding that kind of thing is why I ended up on this forum back in the day, since more public forums were always just full of these posters.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of you after reading these posts. I used to live and die in every win and loss. Man... Those mid-90s Packers teams, even regular-season losses I would carry those around with me for two or three days.

 

When the 2011 Brewers lost to the cards, I was bummed for a while but again perspective hase allowed me to appreciate what a great season that was, allowed me to appreciate how fun That season was, and dwell on the positive rather than the negative.

 

Watching highlights of like the walk-off hits, Nyjer Morgan bringing in Gomez, watching Miller Park erupt, the place shaking so badly that people couldn't even record properly on their cell phones, that's awesome. We don't get to experience that. Dwelling on the fact we didn't make it to the series? Naaaah. And again this year, if we don't make it, we had a lot of Great Moments that will be great memories,. Obviously I want them to win I would love to see a World Series victory in my lifetime, but seeing three trips to the playoffs in the last 10 years when there had been one in my lifetime previously (1981 doesnt count) ... I'm pretty happy, all things considered

[SRB]

I've found that I actually do not enjoy watching these NLCS games

 

For a team that is so rarely this far in the playoffs, and can't confidently expect to be back here next season, it's just too stressful. Why do Dodgers/Astros/Yankees fans even pretend to care?

 

Oddly enough, I think I would be much happier watching WS games even if we end up losing. At least being the WS runner up feels like an accomplishment. If we lose the NLCS it just feels like the entire magical season was a waste. And to the bleeping Dodgers no less.....

[BrewCrewForever]

I felt more nervous/anxious/stressed during the Rockies series. Being at game 1 and 2 and watching game 3 with friends. I decided while I was sitting at game 1 of NLCS inside Miller Park, you know what, this is fun! I shouldn't feel so stressed and nervous. My team is playing in the NLCS. As a Brewers fan for so many years we aren't watching our Crew right now. I am not gonna say I won't still get a little stressed and nervous, but now I am just trying to enjoy this ride and have fun with it. Never know when the next time will be. Might as well get the most enjoyment possible out of it now this season while it's here in front of us.

[3and2Fastball]

It's all fun for me. This year's Brewers are so far ahead of any sort of "window" that I thought would be possible, that this postseason feels like bonus Baseball, to me.

[phnxcrew]

It was torture until I added about 5 posters to my foe list who were mostly completely negative and wrong about every single thing they said. Forum is so much better now. Nothing worse than an ignorant downer. Final straw was the stupid posts about how Braun made a mistake by getting hit by a batted ball with 2 outs when he is supposed to be running full bore on contact without looking back at the plate. If you don't understand you are wrong here you aren't worth reading.

 

Why, with some of the long term posters around here do things seem to always be "wrong" or "right"? It's opinion, and if you're really into trying to "prove people wrong" on here, I would say your intentions are wrong. I've enjoyed your posts for a long time, but that's pretty elitist of you to say your opinion is more relevant or correct than another's. It's fandom, we're pretty reactionary-even if wrong in the moment it doesn't need to be excluded or called out. I apologize for routinely standing against these posts, but man the need to be right on internet boards these days drives me nuts.

[Eye Black]

I've found that I actually do not enjoy watching these NLCS games

 

For a team that is so rarely this far in the playoffs, and can't confidently expect to be back here next season, it's just too stressful. Why do Dodgers/Astros/Yankees fans even pretend to care?

 

Oddly enough, I think I would be much happier watching WS games even if we end up losing. At least being the WS runner up feels like an accomplishment. If we lose the NLCS it just feels like the entire magical season was a waste. And to the bleeping Dodgers no less.....

I wouldn’t call the “magical season a waste”, but the part I certainly agree with is that I would be less stressed watching World Series games than these current NLCS games. Winning the NL Pennant and making the World Series is such a huge accomplishment, especially for a team that has been to one WS in its existence. While we will certainly all remember this run regardless of the NLCS outcome, I think a World Series appearance would legitimize the Brewers success by unorthodox means this season to a much greater extent. Especially since the national narrative surrounding the NLDS was that the Rockies were a joke.

 

As an aside, at Game 163 I befriended a couple of Cubs fans who seemed like fairly knowledgeable baseball fans overall. They made some reference to the Brewers never winning the NL Central before. I reminded them about the 2011 team that won the division and played in the NLCS. They seemed truly dumbfounded, they didn’t have any recollection of it. Granted the Cubs were pretty bad at the time, but I think, while purely anecdotal, it speaks a little bit to the difference between a World Series appearance versus an NLCS.

[Ennder]

Why, with some of the long term posters around here do things seem to always be "wrong" or "right"? It's opinion, and if you're really into trying to "prove people wrong" on here, I would say your intentions are wrong. I've enjoyed your posts for a long time, but that's pretty elitist of you to say your opinion is more relevant or correct than another's. It's fandom, we're pretty reactionary-even if wrong in the moment it doesn't need to be excluded or called out. I apologize for routinely standing against these posts, but man the need to be right on internet boards these days drives me nuts.

 

In this case it isn't opinion though. There is the way the game is actually played and there is basically back seat driving. With 2 outs and 2 strikes the runner on 1st is supposed to go all out for 2nd base on contact, they are not supposed to be watching the ball off of the bat. That is how baseball is actually played. He can glance back and pick up the ball after he hits full speed but if he looked back right away he was not playing the game properly. By the time he could look back the ball was on top of him. There are plenty of times people disagree with me on these forums and I'm fine with it because the game has a ton of gray areas in it. This was just one of those times where if you actually understand the game of baseball there is no way you complain about what happened.

[phnxcrew]

Why, with some of the long term posters around here do things seem to always be "wrong" or "right"? It's opinion, and if you're really into trying to "prove people wrong" on here, I would say your intentions are wrong. I've enjoyed your posts for a long time, but that's pretty elitist of you to say your opinion is more relevant or correct than another's. It's fandom, we're pretty reactionary-even if wrong in the moment it doesn't need to be excluded or called out. I apologize for routinely standing against these posts, but man the need to be right on internet boards these days drives me nuts.

 

In this case it isn't opinion though. There is the way the game is actually played and there is basically back seat driving. With 2 outs and 2 strikes the runner on 1st is supposed to go all out for 2nd base on contact, they are not supposed to be watching the ball off of the bat. That is how baseball is actually played. He can glance back and pick up the ball after he hits full speed but if he looked back right away he was not playing the game properly. By the time he could look back the ball was on top of him. There are plenty of times people disagree with me on these forums and I'm fine with it because the game has a ton of gray areas in it. This was just one of those times where if you actually understand the game of baseball there is no way you complain about what happened.[/quot

 

I Was one that disagreed quickly, but as I came around realized it was bad luck. Most argued it was simply poor reflexes, essentially. Anyways, my point was more general in that fact is ridiculously debatable these days (flat earth crap) and that what is solidified can be challenged, especially in the moment. So Why give the flat earthers the engagement? I’m having amazing season because of limited expectations, in 2011 they killed me with negative emotion.

[TURBO]

Say what you will about Saturday night, but that was pure TORTURE!

[NievesNoNO]

Say what you will about Saturday night, but that was pure TORTURE!

 

Indeed. It was great until it wasn't. I've done pretty well to detach real life from games over the years... but man I was upset after that one.

[Patrick425]

Say what you will about Saturday night, but that was pure TORTURE!

 

Yes it was.

 

Also, there was a guy a few rows in front of us as well as one fan a section or two over that seem to have more of a "football" type mentality when it came to how enthusiastic they thought the crowd should be. Sorry, but when the other team has the bases loaded and threatening to take over the lead in a big way, I'm not going to be on my feet shouting "Here we go Brewers, here we go!" Once we get two strikes on a hitter in that situation, sure, then I get it. However, this fan wanted everyone to be loud all the time, even just after Turner hit the HR to go ahead. Yes, this may sound "elitist", but I just have a hard time relating to these types of fans. Most of the people in our section were doing their best to ignore him.

[obobo55new]

Torture???

 

Irritating sure. Frustrating that guys can't throw strikes when needed. These Dodgers collected 27 walks in 4 games against the Braves. They don't swing at "close" pitches. JJ threw some darn good pitches to guys that just didn't swing. Then he misplaced that splitter to Turner.

 

Tough loss, but it is only one game. I enjoyed the heck out of the first 6 innings. Let's get it done tonight and all is well.

[splitterpfj]

I think the issue is - the Brewers are good enough to win the World Series - and we know it. They aren’t just in the playoffs, they’re good enough to win this.

 

The other element, that really amps up the tension, is that the other three remaining teams are also good enough to win it, and we know that, too.

 

“This is it” - does terrible things to sports fans.

[pacopete4]

I hate losing a game like Saturday but it wasn't torture for me. It was a great baseball game. Wish we were on the other side of it but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hoping for more Brewers playoff games because this has been an absolute treat.

[RobDeer 45]

Pure Torture for me! I think I'm able to find perspective quickly after, but I have a hard time watching intense moments. I hate being crushed by a tough loss. I listened to the end of the 2011 game five on the stairs because I couldn't watch!

[cbustim]

Say what you will about Saturday night, but that was pure TORTURE!

 

Yes it was.

 

Also, there was a guy a few rows in front of us as well as one fan a section or two over that seem to have more of a "football" type mentality when it came to how enthusiastic they thought the crowd should be. Sorry, but when the other team has the bases loaded and threatening to take over the lead in a big way, I'm not going to be on my feet shouting "Here we go Brewers, here we go!" Once we get two strikes on a hitter in that situation, sure, then I get it. However, this fan wanted everyone to be loud all the time, even just after Turner hit the HR to go ahead. Yes, this may sound "elitist", but I just have a hard time relating to these types of fans. Most of the people in our section were doing their best to ignore him.

 

 

 

There were two guys in section 208 near me that vocalized their displeasure of the crowd with a plethora of f bombs and other insults. It was very odd, confusing and uncalled for. The were mainly ignored, which was great.

[fondybrewfan]

I got to the point on Saturday that I just had to turn the game off and take a break for a bit. I was getting way to worked up over a sporting event.

[MillerParkSouth]

Oddly enough, I think it helped that I was at both games 1 and 2. I am very nervous for tonight since I'll be able to throw a temper tantrum without worrying about embarrassing myself in front of anyone but my wife haha.

[tmwiese55]

While I get into it and care if we win/lose. I've never really let sports affect me in the rest of my life. I do remember commenting to my friends on Friday that I was more nervous for that game than anything I ever played in, biggest game I made it to was the Final Four of WI state football. But tons of big game basketball growing up and into HS. IDK, I never got stressed at all when playing.

 

But once the game started it was just a fun experience, sure we won so that helped and the last inning or two got tense but still it was just a good time. I didn't go Saturday but just hanging out watching wasn't overly stressful even though it was a tight game throughout. Then boom the HR happened. I do recall jumping out of my seat thinking the Grandy deep shot was gone though, got pretty fired up for that. Long story short, in spite of being a sports nerd I don't have a problem keeping it in perspective as just entertainment. Two hardest hits for me were blowing the Duke National Title game and the MSU Hail Mary in the Russell Wilson year. Still, basically stomp your feet for that night and the move on with life. If the Brewers lost a game 7 in some painful fashion I'm sure I'd take it hard for that night and then be done with it the next day.