“Don’t be attached to the outcome.”  Warren Buffet’s wife

If you google that phrase you’ll see that she beats out Buddha for credit on that one even though she said it 2500 years after he did, which should tell you all you need to know about the importance of post-season performance.  If you read the article you will see they don’t even bother to share her name- which should tell you all you need to know about fame and slack reporting.

I digress.

I like digressing.

I just digressed again.

2013, the year the recent World Series Champion Giants imploded like a damaged but well meaning balloon, taught me a great lesson about life.  It’s easy to support winners…. but there is an art to supporting losers. I admit it, I have often unceremoniously abandoned doomed sports teams like an empty gum wrapper. It’s not that I am not loyal. To the contrary, I tend to stick with sports teams and breakfast cereals for life. I do, however, sometimes choose to take breaks when the chewing gets tough.

The actual truth is that I am simply too cowardly to watch it all go down in flames.  It’s ENTERTAINMENT, right? Shouldn’t I be allowed to quit watching when it is no longer entertaining?  Sure. Then why do I feel guilty?

So, perhaps because guilt is the most nagging emotion, when the 2013 Giants began to skid towards Loserville, I promised myself I would watch it.  When they arrived at the Gates of Loserville, I stood with them.  When they were presented with the key to city of Loserville, I helped them frame it in a highly flammable frame.  My wife and I few out to San Francisco for our first live games towards the end of that year.  Our heroes were trampled by both the Pirates and soon-to-be WS Champs, the Red Sox. And how did I react? Just trying to simply enjoy the game for being the game.  Enjoying the people in the next seats as we suffer together. Enjoying the local beer, which tastes the same no matter the score.  Paying attention, without judging that much, as Lil’ Timmy blew another lead. The view. The air. The resonating beautiful sound of the bat hitting the ball.  It’s enough for happiness.  If not, buy a hoodie!  That will show the Red Sox!

I stuck it out until the last matchup of the season, when the Giants pounced on the Padres in a game that was one of the more classic ones I’ve watched.

And therein lies the beauty of sticking with the lost.  For when they return, you won’t be a stranger.

So here it is on World Series eve.  The Giants are going up against the sentimental favorites, the Royals. I plan on doing Yoga and breathing exercises between innings. Like the best players always say: Be in the moment, be in the moment.  It’s easier with the mute button on, I’ve found.

Once I finish a few rounds of deep breathing and complete a passable Tree Pose, I will utter this non-denominational prayer:

Oh, Dear Gods of Baseball, now more than ever- please let me enjoy each and every World Series game despite final tally. May I not be attached the outcome.  And, if you truly have such powers, I just want to be very clear that it’s OK to let the Giants players continue to be attached to the outcome. They can work on any attachment issues in the off season.