Oh woe is me,

alack, alas!

The Chicago

Cubs have kicked our ...

Oh, hello.

Sorry, I didn't see you there. I thought you were still just checking

out the movie listings.

So, I bet you're

pretty bummed, huh? Well, me too. I certainly didn't think yet another

baseball season in Atlanta would end this way, did you? You probably did.

Not me though. I guess I'm just a hopeless optimist. The glass is not

only half full of water to me, but the water has also been purified and

chilled to perfection. I always have this really good feeling about things,

right up to the point that the rug gets pulled out from under me.

No excuses

though. The Cubs pitched great and we couldn't hit worth a lick. So, now

what? I guess we cheer for the Cubs to make the World Series. It would

be nice to see their awful postseason history eliminated by the sweetness

of a World Series championship. Of course, as it stands now, Monday afternoon,

I still have hope for my beloved hometown Red Sox. A Cubs/Red Sox World

Series would be, quite possibly, the best World Series in the modern era.

Two beleaguered teams, with alleged hexes and curses hanging around their

necks like albatrosses, battling for baseball supremacy.

So, I'm hoping

and praying, big time.

And that is

what baseball means to me. Eternal optimism. There is always next year.

When they take to the fields of Florida and Arizona each spring, I look

forward to a full season of intriguing storylines. Who will be the surprise

player of the year? Which rookie will become a star during the season?

Will I see a no-hitter? A triple play? Someone hit for the cycle?

I suppose it

is the same for fans of any sport. If Georgia loses another game in the

SEC this year, their chances of repeating as SEC champs are diminished

but Bulldog Nation will already be salivating for what could be next season,

with an experienced o-line and a senior David Greene. I suppose Florida

is alreadly looking forward to Chris Leak's sophomore season. It feels

different with baseball though. It is a marathon of games and every day

the storyline changes. It's like a rollercoaster ride that could end with

the best hill you've ever been on. This ending for the Braves was like

getting stuck at the top of a hill.

So, yes, I'm

disappointed by the Braves poor finish this year and I have plenty of

ideas where the blame lies (Sheffield and Andruw Jones), but I'm really

looking forward to the 2004 season. I'm sure the team will look really

different and that might be what makes next year so intriguing. I know

several players won't be back and I have a feeling some old ones will

be returning. Paul Byrd will be back from his injury and it will be like

the Braves made a huge trade but didn't have to give anyone up.

So, cheer up.

You can't win them all. What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. There's

always next year. Yada, yada, yada.

Go Sox!

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