I got started on my run about five miles minutes earlier this morning, nearly beating the school bus up the hill to its pick-up spot near the two-mile mark. Thoughts were on getting packed and driving to the airport for our 11:10 a.m. flight to Chicago’s O’Hare. We would be there in time for dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab, one of my wife’s favorites. She has business meetings tomorrow while I do my retirement thing.

It’s Crunch Time, with only ten games left in the season! The Cubs are off today prior to the start of the Crosstown Showdown at White Sox Park on Friday. It’s hard to refer to it as Guaranteed Rate Field, since that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. I was just getting used to calling it Cellular One, despite so many childhood memories of Comiskey Park. I understand the value of sponsorship in today’s world of sports, so I tolerate the unromantic, commercial names we call our venues. I will just be glad to be there, whatever it’s called?, on Saturday night as the Cubs hope to once again reduce their Playoff Magic Number (currently at 8) and hold-off the hungry Milwaukee Brewers. Crunch!

It was a rare night on Monday when both the Cubs and Bears won their respective games. The White Sox did not play, so none of my Chicago teams were losers- a miracle! Watching the masterful defense “Bear Down” was particularly emotional, reminiscent of the glory years of the mid 1980’s. Equally satisfying is the Cub’s quest for their historic fourth consecutive playoff appearance. They’ve managed a winning September record, but the offense is sputtering and the pitching painfully-patched in piece-meal. I have reduced expectations for the post-season, with comparably much less hope for the Bears. College basketball will start in less than a month, as both of these Windy City favorites slowly fade into typical, late-season obscurity, and much-improved I.U basketball begins to take preference. It’s the sports cycle that I seem to be stuck in every year thanks to my Northern Indiana upbringings.

The good thing about sports is that for every loss somebody else wins. While we’re flying the “W,” hoisting the hardware, and hugging total strangers, the opponent is disheartened, disappointed, and ultimately disgusted by our poor sportsmanship. To make matters even more miserable, they, may have even lost a “friendly” wager, personal credibility, or a major bet. Regardless, it’s a difficult moment that may reverse itself in the future – or even next year. Remember to win graciously and lose with visions of that next win. Better yet – never bet. As a fan, I can’t control the outcome, just the ugly emotions that often come out. I just hope that the very last game I watch is a big victory that I can enjoy throughout eternity. That would be the way to go!

I won’t be disappointed if the Cubs win the World Series, the Bears win the Super Bowl, and the Hoosiers win the NCAA Tournament. Each has now happened in my lifetime, as well as a White Sox World Championship. I’ve even gotten two out of three in the same year. I’ve been blessed with several good years, and cursed with many more bad ones. What will the end of this year bring? It’s Crunch Time!

Crunch Time

It’s that time,
The last chance.
Your final move,
To make the dance.

It’s everything,
You’ve waited for.
You couldn’t ask,
For anything more.

You’ve Fantasized,
And dreamed it.
How much more real,
Can it possibly get?

Within your reach,
In front of you.
What to do?
It’s up to you.

Grab the ring,
And hold on tight.
Keep it close,
With all your might.

Enjoy the spotlight,
It’s your day.
Don’t let anything,
Get in your way.

Miracle maker,
Beating all odds.
Defying defeat,
Gift of the Gods

Hitting the Walk-off,
Or Last second shot.
Giving everything,
That you’ve got.

Heisman recipient,
And The MVP.
Impact each moment
With all you can be.

What makes a winner?
Refusing to lose.
Highlight heroics,
Front page news.

Everyone’s All-Star,
Here’s the latest.
In lifetime achievement,
One of the Greatest.

Hall of Fame moment,
Tell Cooperstown.
You’re Ranked #1,
Put on the Crown.

It’s Crunch Time,
So go for it all.
When it’s on the line,
You’ll get the ball.

Copyright 2018 johnstonwrites.com