Dodgers Elimination Game

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Post on Jan 22, 2025

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The Crushing Weight of October: My Dodgers Elimination Game Nightmare (and Lessons Learned)

Okay, so, Dodgers fans, let's talk about that feeling. You know the one. The pit in your stomach, the tightness in your chest, the absolute dread that settles in when you realize your team is facing elimination. I've been there. Multiple times. And let me tell you, it's a special kind of hell.

This isn't some generic sports article, folks. This is raw, honest, and maybe a little embarrassing. It's about the time I almost lost it during a Dodgers elimination game.

The 2017 NLDS: My Personal Apocalypse

It was 2017. The Dodgers were supposed to win. They were the juggernaut, the best team in baseball. They'd cruised through the regular season. But then came the Arizona Diamondbacks. Suddenly, our seemingly insurmountable lead felt...fragile. The series went to a deciding Game 5. I had tickets. Front row. I'd saved up all year. I mean, all year. This was it.

I remember the tension. Every pitch felt like a heavyweight bout. Every swing of the bat could change everything. It was excruciating. We were down. Then, down more. The stadium, once a roaring beast, became a hushed graveyard. My heart hammered like a frantic hummingbird. I swear I could feel the weight of the entire city on my shoulders. I almost fainted. I nearly grabbed a complete stranger in the stadium and started sobbing on their shoulder! I was seriously considering selling one of my kidneys to somehow make the Dodgers win the game. Okay, that's a little dramatic, but only slightly!

We lost. Brutal. Absolutely soul-crushing. I wandered out of Dodger Stadium in a daze.

What I Learned (the hard way):

• Manage Expectations (Seriously!): I'd built this game up to be the be-all and end-all. That's a recipe for disappointment. Learn to enjoy the ride, appreciate the season, and don't put all your eggs in one October basket. Yeah, easier said than done, I know.
• Embrace the Community (Even in Defeat): Even in that crushing loss, there was a strange sort of camaraderie amongst the fans. We were all hurting together. Sharing that collective pain, in a weird way, helped.
• Mental Health is Key: This isn't just about baseball; it's about managing your emotional investment in any high-stakes situation. That night? I needed a serious de-stress session. I ended up spending the next few hours walking around the city, trying to process the loss, listening to music, and talking to friends and family. Don't neglect your well-being.

Beyond the Bleachers: Dealing with Elimination Game Anxiety

Elimination games are high-pressure situations. They’re emotionally taxing, not just for the players but for the fans too! There's a lot of anticipation and pressure. Think about it: one game decides the season! For many, including me, there's a serious risk of over-identifying with the team, which is a bad strategy. Remember, it's a game. It’s not life or death. Easier to say than to do, of course, but something to keep in mind.

Tips for Surviving the Elimination Game Rollercoaster:

• Find your happy place: Have a pre-game ritual, a go-to snack, a lucky hat (I’ve got a few!). Anything that helps ground you.
• Watch with friends: Sharing the experience with others helps to diffuse the tension.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: Enjoy the season as a whole. One game shouldn't define the whole year. Trust me on that one.
• Remember that it's just a game (I know, I know.): Easier said than done, I know! But seriously, the sun will rise tomorrow, even if your team lost.

The 2017 NLDS taught me a tough lesson. It wasn't just about the Dodgers; it was about managing my expectations and my own emotional well-being. And while I still get butterflies during those crucial October games, I’m better equipped to handle the pressure now. I hope these tips help you navigate your own elimination game anxieties. Let's go Dodgers! (But hey, even if they lose... well, at least we learned something.)