It’s the dog days of the sports summer.
That’s the period between the MLB All-Star Game and the beginning of NFL preseason. This period on the calendar seems to go on forever. It’s even worse if your MLB team of choice is mired at the bottom of the standings and continues to give away apathy and sadness on a regular basis (but those throwback shirts we got on Friday night though).
Football fans are ready to be full-on drunken fanboys and fangirls again. Four “beautiful” pass connections between their QB1 and WR2 and the fans are drinking the Kool-Aid faster than Joey Chestnut crushes hot dogs (while conveniently ignoring the fact that the second team defense is playing at half speed). And that new edge rusher – man, does he get off the ball quickly! We’re talking Lawrence Taylor Lightning Boots Tecmo Super Bowl fast! But QB1, he better last more than four snaps this year or we are sunk.
It’s ok, Zach is out and Tyrod is in.
Nobody overhypes and overvalues training camp success worse than football fans. It’s a time of lofty expectations and criticizing anybody who attempts to temper them. Nevermind the fact that QB1 is coming off that devastating injury, or the running back who was unceremoniously dumped by his previous team – he’s the difference maker this year! We still have a hole at linebacker – are we still running a 4-3? But with our offense, we’ll just win every game 45-44.
Most fans now fall here. “We are sooooooooo back! We have no time for your negativity! Just wait until September!”
At least this year we have the Paris Olympics to distract us for sixteen days. That is, unless you’ve turned it off because you’re boycotting. You could get behind the athletes if it wasn’t for the sportswashing or faux outrage over something. Just a thought? If you are, you are going to miss out – basketball is going to be money this year, the rugby sevens have been incredible to watch, and how can you not get behind the women’s water polo team if not just because Flavor Flav is its hype man?
So if your MLBers are one of the five teams that are not within 6 ½ games of a playoff spot, you’re not alone. I empathize with you. It’s a long, hot, painful, apathetic summer. But the enthusiasm of another football season is building. And you know the MAS boys will break down your favorite team as we get closer to season kickoff on September 5.
Is this where I tell you that “the Autumn Wind is a Raider”?
For right now, may I suggest a frothy cold beverage, some deep breaths, and some sunscreen. All things must pass. We will get through the dark dog days of our sports summer. And we’ll do it together – throwback shirt or not.
