The reason we, the people who run the desk below the decks on the Good Pirate Ship RedState, refuse to stop playing in leagues and games despite the constant attempts of participants to wake us up as soon as they can. The world’s Colin Kaepernicks can be heard muttering, but they are soon drowned out in cheers by the roaring fans who enjoy the excitement of sporting events and their unpredictable nature. Sometimes the favorite doesn’t win. It will always be the underdog. These are the qualities that keep fans who stay alive.
Yesterday, two stunning examples of this occurred on opposite ends of the country. San Jose was home to the Sharks, who were trying to recover from the humiliating 4-0 loss at Montreal Canadiens. Two obstacles stood in their way. The opponent was first, the Winnipeg Jets who had already won four straight. The streak was a reminder to everyone that they are one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Second, COVID was the enemy of normalcy for the last year and a half.
While the NHL’s COVID protocol does not strictly mandate all players get vaccinated, it might as well courtesy of a clause stating no unvaccinated player can cross the Canada-U.S. border and how generally miserable it makes life for unvaccinated players. Therefore, Sharks players as well as coaches have been vaccinated. To the complete astonishment, and even amazement of everyone (who am I kidding?A slew positive COVID results were released on Saturday morning. They included Bob Boughner as head coach and five of his players. Sharks without Pickles were out of luck.
It was a good thing that the Sharks AHL team (top minor league), the Barracuda also played in San Jose this weekend. The roster was not complete despite the fact that it could be filled quickly. Los TiburonesThe game could be played. They could, albeit delayed thirty minutes from its initially scheduled 4:00 PM PDT starting time so the players added to the roster could get settled and someone in the team store’s backroom could get jerseys made for the new additions. With two NHL-experienced players on the roster, the Sharks were at an even greater disadvantage than if Riff brought his submachine gun with Bernardo.
The Sharks prevailed in overtime with a 2-1 win. They played with intense intensity and passion all the way. Considering the team had lost three straight before Saturday’s tilt, perhaps the currently sidelined players might want to look at their effort level when they are cleared to resume play.
The other side of America saw the Atlanta Braves take a three-game lead in 2021 World Series. They won Saturday night, three to two, thanks to back-to–back home runs of eighth and ninth-place hitters. Houston took a two-to-nothing lead, due in no small part to Jose Altuve’s second home run of the series, a solo shot in the fourth inning. Atlanta scored their first run in sixth inning on Austin Riley’s two-out double. Riley earlier had stolen Altuve from an extra-base hit with a long, low line drive to the third baseline. In the seventh, the Braves led when Dansby Swanson (then pinch-hitter Jorge Soler) took Astros relief pitcher Cristian Javier deep.
According to the Game Three writing, Melania Trump and President Trump attended the game. Evidently, they had an incredible time.
They’re both in sync and Melania’s Tomahawk Chop is adorable! @k_ovfefe2It’s possible! pic.twitter.com/ONOLdgeciI
— August Westerly (@AugustWesterly) October 31, 2021
This is why I can’t get rid of fandom for games like this. It is likely that we will continue to have social justice-minded sports fans who try to spoil the joy. However, we’ll always be able to enjoy the magic of sport, which I unhesitatingly support.
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