But we traded Griffey and RJ and we didn't win a title. We let A-Rod go / he chose somewhere else for twice as much money but his funds weren't enough. We kept Edgar but couldn't get over the hump.
I love those teams, though. 95 always, but also the 2000-2003 teams that I thought had a real shot at a title. No, we didn't win, but we were a good team. This idea of chasing a perfect team and trading all-world players that you are not being forced to trade in order to try to build a better widget is interesting, but I wouldn't really enjoy it.
If we pulled off a Florida Marlins team assembly, won a title, and then dismantled it into the ground, would that be satisfying? Is the title alone worth it, even if you don't know or care for the names on the back of the jersey? Is just wearing the laundry enough to make it Your Team and so the guys in that uniform just need to WAR and VORP and RC/27 their way to victory?
I don't know that a mercenary team is enough for me. I want to win something too, but I want to build something lasting, the memories of that journey.
I grew up as a Broncos fan, and if you'd taken away the last 2 years of Elway's career where he finally won titles, it would not have been nearly as satisfying...but I would have preferred to lose the last 2 years instead of the first 16. The Broncos didn't win the year of The Drive, but like the 5 game Yankees series of 95 the feeling of leaving everything on the field in a non-championship game is still worth something. The season-long chase is still worth something.
I dunno - there's just something to be said for the journey, I guess, especially in a 162 game regular season. And I like having good, well-liked company along the way instead of faceless acquaintances.
But I don't like taking long walks in uncomfortable shoes either, no matter how awesome or shiny they might be. I think we just have different ways of rooting for the Mariners to do great things.
~G
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