Thank You in Advance Blue Jays...from a Fan

Just before the Blue Jays' 2013 season begins, I would like to say a few words:

No matter what happens in the coming months, I have not been this excited about the start of a season - any professional sports season - in about 20 years. I have the ownership / leadership of the Toronto Blue Jays to thank for that.

They did some amazing things earlier in this off-season. They took their chances. They put their money where their mouth(s) is/are. They went for it. They stepped up to the plate. They threw down the gauntlet. No matter what happens, I must remember the electricity they brought to this city for the last 3 or 4 months.

If all goes well, they may reap the benefit. The Blue Jays could make the playoffs. They could win a championship. They could win several. This city could bask in their reflected glow.

If things that are beyond anyone's control go badly, they may win nothing. That's what happens when you go for it. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.

In any case, this team has done a nice thing for us fans in Toronto and the GTA. For me personally, they have renewed my very childish love of sport. They have given me months of excitement - and I hope they'll give me months more.

I believe they will win a lot more than they lose this year. I believe they will compete game in and game out. I believe they will hit for average and for power. I believe they will steal lots of bases and score lots of runs. I believe they will be solid defensively. I believe their starters will go deep into their starts, their relievers will relieve, and their stoppers will stop. I hope that will be enough.

If / when they lose games, it won't be because they want to. Umpires won't conspire against us. Players won't throw in the towel. They hate losing more than I do. They want to meet the expectations they've set. But losses will happen and we will move on to the next game.

If / when they lose games, the media may do what the media does and bash them, assign blame, call for heads, and take no prisoners. That's how the media sells what they sell. Sometimes, a solid playoff-bound team is too dull for the media, and the better stories come when things go sour. That's the media. I won't play that game with this team.

I pledge to savour this upcoming season. The ups and the downs. The wins and the losses. The glorious home runs that steal victory from the jaws of defeat, and the near misses that inevitably will come.

This season I will rediscover the innocent, child-like love of sports and a sports team that used to come naturally. This team has earned that from me.

Thank you in advance Blue Jays...from a fan

Author's note: This post was inspired by my Mother who has already been heard to mutter "Here we go again" during a meaningless pre-season loss.