New York Yankees: Have we forgotten where we came from?

New York Yankees, Aaron Judge
Aug 27, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) signs autographs for fans before a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

I get most of my inspiration off of fan’s emotions as opposed to spitting out stats. That’s the real drive of the game for me. Edge of the seat, pitch anticipation. A young fan thinking a player is immortal and will always come through.

Sitting up hours after a game stewing over that one at-bat from your hero that never happened. The prospect that comes into the bright lights and just battles to make his mark in the history books. One pitch, one swing, one moment. That’s real baseball.

But when did the adult fan decide it’s no longer enough to enjoy the moment and only the result is most important? As exciting it is to see the trophy lifted, there is so much more to the story. Focusing too much on the mindset that “only October matters” causes some fans to ignore the grind of the season and everything players battle through to give the fans that championship.

You can get somewhere faster on an interstate, but wouldn’t it be better to drive through the countryside and enjoy the view as you go?
I still find myself watching or listening to a Yankee game with that same enjoyment as when I was a little kid. Seeing the team taking the field, it should give you goosebumps as flashbacks race through your mind. I think the adult fans lose that part of themselves and it’s never a bad thing to remind them why they live for the game the way they do.

So as the Yankees make their run into serious October baseball, step back and take a moment to go back to little kid in you and remind yourself how special it is to be a fan. You won’t regret it. I never do!