AN, be my therapist

by Crosbino on Aug 16, 2005 11:31 PM PDT

Okay, so I write this diary knowing full well that it's only one loss and that the season is far from over. But as I sit here in my apartment, more than an hour after Crosby watched that pitch go by, I'm still stewing over this one. I'm sure you all are as well.

I've tried rationalizing this loss. I've tried pointing out that as bad as it feels for us, it must feel just as bad to be an Angel fan, or a Yankee fan ... or a Red Sox fan last night. Four teams, all lose heartbreaker-shoulda-won games. Does that make me feel better?

They're still 1.5 up on the WC. Does that make me feel better?

They rallied. Does that make me feel better?

Not really.

So here's my question to you, AN: what do you do to get over a tough loss? What do you have to say to yourself to not let it linger with you? Can you let losses like this slide off your back? If so, how long does it take?

I know we're just fans, but it still hurts.

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Right now

I'm thinking of how we bounced back beautifully from all our losses earlier in the season and made it back to first place after being 15 back. Surely we can bounce back and play just as great after a few tough losses right now. They know how well they can play and I'm staying positive that they'll come back and continue to win games and series.

Street is a friggin physical marvel... -Mychael Urban

by rookieoftheyear on Aug 16, 2005 11:41 PM PDT reply actions

I feel your pain

but a win tomorrow will erase it.

Plus, if the post-season started tomorrow the A's would be in. As long as you can say that you should be happy.

by southofcruiseamerica on Aug 16, 2005 11:56 PM PDT reply actions

Well...

To put things in gambling terms, we've been playing with house money for a while now. I just keep reminding myself that the house is gonna want some of that money back.

We'll get on a roll again soon - I'd rather we have a bad week or two in August than in September. Realistically speaking, we shouldn't expect this team to win at quite the pace they've been winning at for the last two months. Teams that don't play .750+ baseball are gonna go through cold spells.

by RickeySteals on Aug 16, 2005 11:57 PM PDT reply actions

there were some good ideas

in an older diary on Mood Management.

I find posting positive things on AN is very helpful. Like Aristotle's idea that if you act positive, you feel positive, or like those studies that show smiling actually makes you happier (really funny studies where they had people holding a pen in their teeth side-to-side (smiling) vs. front to back (pursing lips in a sour face).

by Apricot on Aug 16, 2005 11:57 PM PDT reply actions

Usually after a tough loss...

I tend to be in a very bad mood. I listen to really really loud EMO music and go to sleep...

if they are day games, then it usually worse, obviously because of the time.

But loud music and fresh air work the best for me...

And the hope for a better tomorrow reassures me...

"Peter you're drunk again!"... "No, I'm just exhausted because I've been up all night drinking."

by ChavyFan03 on Aug 17, 2005 12:02 AM PDT reply actions

I agree with that :(

I get really moody when they lose now. Back in <month that shall not be named> I got so used to losing that it was like *shrug* oh well. But this is a good thing, right? It means we expect wins, and don't accept losses.

Thanks for the emo music tip. It's working already. And yeah, at least it's a night game. Only a few more hours until the next one!

"I have seven forks. I need one for eating. The others I'm going to stick in the Giants, because they're done." - Random guy on BART

by Melody on Aug 17, 2005 12:33 AM PDT up reply actions

quite frankly,

I think those young cats were finally feeling the pressure of their own success and it was wearing on them. Zito, Haren, and Harden were all carrying streaks which have now ended. Other streaks such as consecutive home series wins have also been snapped, which is good. Now the A's can get back to playing baseball again. And besides, Swisher will provide a much needed spark when he returns on Fri.

And look to the bright side, we have the AAA Royals to feast on this weekend?

by sf drift king on Aug 17, 2005 12:31 AM PDT reply actions

I will never say it out loud...

but for a short second right after the other team delivers the knockout blow I whisper to myself...

"Theres always next year".

Then I feel a little better and realize how great these young guys are for doing as well as they are and I start believing again.

I also don't watch any form of sports media until the next game and do other things that will hone my skills in other interests like guitar, video games, etc.

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 17, 2005 12:31 AM PDT reply actions

Read this if you're a simpsons fan!

it made me laugh!

http://www.barstoolsports.com/article/The_Definitive_MLB__Simpsons_Analogy_List/344

"you know it's way cooler to be an A's fan" - billy beane to larry krueger

by gotgreen on Aug 17, 2005 12:33 AM PDT reply actions

Not a good sign

when a journalist screws up his apostrophes. Yeah I'm just nitpicking now. Still reading the article though ;)

"I have seven forks. I need one for eating. The others I'm going to stick in the Giants, because they're done." - Random guy on BART

by Melody on Aug 17, 2005 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Or spelling..

The subheadline says Simspon's...

"Everyone was saying, 'Swisher, you suck!' and I was like, 'OK, we've established that.' "

by oblique on Aug 17, 2005 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes! We got Bart!

Pretty much nailed it, but no way are the Red Sox Lisa. I'm thinking Nelson Muntz. Ha ha!

by ArakSOT on Aug 17, 2005 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Cupcake up!

My thoughts are:

This is not the same team that would sleepwalk throught at-bats when down late in the game in May. The last few losses where we've been down by just a few, the team is grinding to get back in and win it. May was a simple 3 up, 3 down, and I don't see that now.
2005 is gravy. Success AND failure all mean learning now and this team will be good and fun to watch well into the future. Sit back and try to enjoy the ride.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Aug 17, 2005 10:17 AM PDT reply actions

it's a process, not an event,

keep your expectations realistic, enjoy THE GAME of baseball.....my bill is in the mail.

We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Aug 17, 2005 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

Whenever I get down on the A's

I roll over to the Royals Review and remind myself that we have absolutely nothing to complain about.

Leading the wild card, in the thick of the race for the division. This is a great season, and not the one I thought we would have in May, but it was one I hoped for. This team is great, period.

Go A's!!

Ron Washington: Thinking outside of the three-sided box since 1977

by tankerraid on Aug 17, 2005 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

I think of the guys!

I just try and remember that what ever we are feeling, they are feeling 10 fold! Some how they manage to forget about the previous day and go out and play another game. Some how they get themselves into Clown costumes and go out and have a good time playing ball, even though they just lost 9-2. Some how, they can get themselves out of a funk and come through in the next game like the one before never happened. I just sit back and think about what they must go through and all of a sudden I realize that it's ok. If they can get over and on, then so can I. Yes it sucks, but you just have to remember, there is a lot of baseball left to play!

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 17, 2005 4:53 PM PDT reply actions