Playing Out the String (Or were they?) in Miller Park

There is one week remaining in the season for the Brewers.  In many ways it can't come fast enough.

This past Friday was our final game of the season and it was a lot of fun.  This was the first time for me to get to six major league games in one season, and it provided an interesting perspective on it's arc.

The first game in early April brought with it the promise of a new season and the possibilities of success and optimism for a good year.  Ryan Braun hit a home run in that first game we attended. He wasn't on the field for Friday's game - not even allowed in the stadium when the doors opened at 5:35 for fans.

It was impressive to note that at the end of September the folks who provide the fan experience - the ushers, vendors, concessionaires, and the Racing Sausages - continued to put on the best show possible and show off the best sides of Miller Park.

It's a great trait and a good lesson best illustrated by a quote attributed to many, but I believe first to Joe DiMaggio who was asked why he was playing so hard in a meaningless game late in the season.

"Because," Joltin' Joe replied, "there might have been someone sitting in the stands today who'd never seen me play before, and might never see me again."

The season didn't go the way I had hoped, but there's always hope for next year!  The great thing was that the organization and players gave their best effort in case their "best" might only be seen for that game.

That's a credo easier to say than to follow; do we act/work/behave/care/love with the idea we might have only this moment - this time to make an impact?

That's a nice philosophic thought to take home from a ballgame.

It's a good reason not to "play out the string" of a meaningless season or what feels like a ho-hum day at work.  True to that spirit, the plucky Brewers, with four rookies starting, battled back to a tie in the bottom of the ninth with the winning run at home.

The run was taken out at home as part of a double-play and the Cardinals won in the 10th.  The manager, Ron Roenicke said his team played well, but lost the game.  That's true - those things happen - sometimes we do our best and still come up short on the scoreboard. 

The season is nearly over - the record is far under water - but each game offered something I hadn't seen and had moments of surprise, awe, fun, and memories.

A great season with great days and nights at the ball park.