I was born a Brooklyn Dodger fan. More than a fan; a crazed worshiper at their altar. This was before TV—yes; there was a time before TV—when it was radio and Red Barber. Live broadcast, crowd cheering, bat cracking the ball, when it was a home game at Ebbets Field. Game on the road wasn't live; no crowd; news ticker ticking as Barber read it and created the scene.
My best friend—pals from birth—was a New York Giant fan; just as dedicated; and there were times when his father—a kid at heart—would take us to the Polo Grounds; Giants vs. Dodgers; live; and that was heaven.
Never a fight; we'd commiserate with each other in the dark days when either team lost.
I also subscribed to the Sporting News so that if either one of us missed anything at all—highly unlikely—we'd have backup. I mean, you never know.
Scrapbooks; souvenirs; photos; baseball cards. The works.
I'm talking dedicated.
So, rumors became terrible reality. In one tragic year; 1957; we were abandoned; simultaneously. The New York Giants became the San Francisco Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers became the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Westward, ho.
Adults by then; accepted reality. So much for team loyalty; cheering our brains out; scrap-books; ticket stubs; so what? They don't care about fans left behind; memories; tears. The whole deal. It's all about the numbers; size of the crowd; bucks, baby, bucks.
Silence.
Years pass. Check out the Dodgers from time to time; new guys; different world—no longer my Dodgers.
Then business called and I had some traveling; here and there and of course, from time to time, the West coast. Then more frequently. Checking the scores; the rosters; the ballparks; spiffy places; big upgrades from the old-timers; better seating; much better food; couldn't argue with the climate, either, I'll tell you.
Then, one thing and another and…personal stuff; big change; whole different world.
So…bottom line: I live out here now.
Not south in Los Angeles; home of the Dodgers. Nothing like my old Dodgers; irreplaceable. Can't relive the past, right?
Where I live is up north; just outside San Francisco.
Coincidentally, home of the Giants.
Now don't get excited; I know what you're thinking: Traitor. Turn-coat. All that baloney about loving the Dodgers and the baseball cards and listening to the games and all that stuff.
Fact is; can't replay history…can't replay the game.
As they say: You play the hand your dealt.
In my defense; the Brooklyn Dodgers abandoned me, right? Wasn't my idea for them to jump ship.
Done deal.
Anyway; TV sure beats radio for watching those Giants play.
Plus, I'm not embarrassed to confess that I now watch a lot of basketball, too.
Golden State Warriors; helluva team.
Practically neighbors.
Bottom line?
Win a few, lose a few.
Is what it is.
Love the game.
Any game.
Go team, go!
Whatever.