The Last Game
So, yesterday was an odd day at the field. Like, really bizarre. The whole thing. And it started with this. Yep, that's me. And oh yeah, that's a woman with a camera.
News Channel 4 was doing a story on the gravity of yesterday's game. It was a BIG day for the boys, and the news wanted every aspect of it covered. So, between innings, they meandered into the crowd and managed to find us. "Oh, looks like I've found the wives section," she said. "Who am I going to film?" And that's when the girls threw me to the wolves..."She's been here all season, ask her!" Thanks girls ;) I took the mic - sweating and shaking like a pig at the slaughterhouse - and mumbled some likely nonsense before pausing fifty times to figure out how to appropriately answer her questions. Did I ever mention that I HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING?! Haha :) I have even more respect for my husband now...and I used to have a lot!
Let me set the stage:
Winner of THIS LAST GAME OF THE SEASON was headed straight to the playoffs...their season extended by at least another 5 games and the chance for a championship ring. I've never felt a buzz in the air quite like yesterday's. And everyone was on edge. We got a slow start to the game, went to our bullpen early, but eventually went ahead 4-2 in the third inning. Whew. It was after that this happened. In a fight between the two managers - arguing over stealing pitches - the umpire approached our dugout and started screaming at Andy. This, Adam said, doesn't happen often.
Our short-lived 4-2 lead quickly became a 4-5 deficit in the top of the fourth, two innings before this happened (rain)...delaying the game for a solid half hour. Of course.
We managed to tie the game 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth, and that's where the score stayed until the eleventh inning. With so many opportunities to take the lead, the Suns were retired back to the dugout 5 straight times. And so were the Braves. It was a stalemate. Until the top of the eleventh inning...when a Braves runner on second scored on an uncommon - and bizarre - throwing error by our infield.
And in the bottom of the 11th, we just couldn't make it happen. The Braves took the W straight from us and celebrated on our field. It was really sad...and even harder to watch. Our boys fought their tails off, and in the end, only missed the playoffs by a half of a game. Rats. It was a rough way to finish the season, but gosh do these boys have something to be proud of. They're incredibly talented and the Marlins have a lot to look forward to in the future. Until then, happy offseason to the best team we've been apart of. We loved these guys and will miss them, truly!
Goodbye Bragan Field.
We learned so much in this place.
About life, love, baseball, and God.
It was one heck of a rewarding season...in so many ways.
Adam's final line for the YEAR:
11-7, with a 3.25 ERA
138.2 IP, 125H, 37BB, 129K
Incredible, Honey.
I'm infinitely proud of you.
Until next season, my friends!
We're all packed out of the clubhouse and ready to take on the offseason!
But...I am still a little (ok A LOT) sad that it's suddenly just...over.
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