Down the Stretch

As September 3, 2021 dawns, a thing is happening that I don’t think has occurred in my lifetime. I’ve been a fan of the San Francisco Giants my entire life. More than 50 years. Their most hated rival is the Los Angeles Dodgers. I don’t recall there ever being a season in which the Giants and Dodgers were both competitive at the same time. Much of that is due to the Giants being pretty horrible for a lot of those years. But even when the Giants were making their three World Series runs in 2010, 2012, and 2014, the Dodgers weren’t doing much. Then after those runs, the Giants fell on hard times, while the Dodgers have excelled in the years since.

This year, however, I may finally get my wish. As I write this, there are 28 games left in the season for both teams, and they are tied for first place. Today starts a three game series between the two teams. Sadly, they won’t face each other again for the remainder of the season. I hope the next four and a half weeks roll by in a day-to-day battle by each team, trying to knock the other team out. What I worry is that the Giants’ success has been a mirage and this month will be another in the long line of sad months in the history of the club.

Fingers crossed this stays interesting and fun and that it all goes down to the wire. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a fun ride.