Craig Koplien: Weather or Not

I'm Re-Energized

Story Created: Sep 17, 2008

Story Updated: Sep 17, 2008

I'm Re-Energized

Craig Koplien

email:  ckoplien@todaystmj4.com

Among the reasons cited for making the change from Ned Yost to Dale Sveum as Brewers manager was to "shock" the team...or..."re-energize" the team for the final 12 games of the season. 

Will it work? 

As Napolean Dynamite's brother Kip said..."Like anyone could ever know that".

However, I can confirm this:  it re-energized me.

Following the horror show that was the sweep of the Brewers in Philadelphia, I was about to check out of the race for the playoffs.  I know that on many levels that sounds pretty dumb, considering that even after going 3-11 during the first 14 games in September, the good guys were still tied for the wild card lead.

It's just that it was so painfully obvious to people who follow the team as closely as me (which, I admit, is probably too closely...I should probably read a book or go for a walk once in a while), that they were the worst team in baseball to that point in September.  Expecting them to rebound from that into a playoff contender would be like expecting me to turn into Al Roker.

But now, there's maybe some hope.  Actually, hope may be the wrong word.  How about anticipation.  I am at least more anxious, and yes "energized" to see what happens over the last 2 weeks of the season.  While before I was dreading what might take place in the 6 game against the Cubs, 3 against the Reds, and 3 against the Pirates, I am now back to looking forward to what might happen in those games.

The team may still play badly.  They still might finish out of the playoffs and be considered to have undertaken one of the biggest come-from-ahead collapses in recent history.  And I'll again feel pretty bad then.  But at least for now, I feel like something good "might" happen. 

I didn't feel that way 3 days ago.

On Demand