Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRedChief
Of course I'll be disappointed. However, that's doesn't mean I will consider the whole season a disappointment.
Count me out as having the mindset of every season its a World Series or else its a disappointing season mentality.
|
The Cardinals win as often as they do because they see an 85 win season or a first round playoff exit as a disappointing year.
They got to this level by being disappointed in less. Teams that are in the playoffs each year re-set their expectations.
Ultimately, when this stage of their competition cycle is over (and it will happen sooner or later), you re-set your calculus again and change how you view certain goals. That said, for a veteran team with a top 10 payroll, the playoffs should be expected. And once you get to the playoffs, virtually any elimination is going to make a season a disappointing one.
Right now, with this squad where it is, I don't see how losing tonight doesn't make this a failed season. Not after watching Matheny's slow hook in both Lynn starts. Not after watching them roll over and die in two elimination games.
It's not just "Hey! The Cardinals made the NLCS and lost in seven!" It's the totality of how that occurred. Given the talent on this squad and the breaks that helped us get here (i.e. things like no Strasburg and the 2nd wildcard), there can be very few positives taken from the season at large if they finish this collapse.