I’m still trying to wrap my head around what I just
witnessed.
Tonight, Matt Cain
was perfect. Check that: Matt Cain was perfect.
Actually, that doesn’t even begin to describe it. Matt Cain was PERFECT. From the first inning, the
first pitch, the first step he took from the dugout on his way to the mound,
Matt Cain was PERFECT.
It’s hard to describe the mood in the ballpark tonight. It
was equal parts tension, optimism, fear, hope, excitement, nausea, everything. It
was one of those times where everyone knew what was happening but didn’t want
to say anything, even if they didn’t believe in jinxes. From around the 6th
inning on, it felt like every pitch Cain threw was life or death. And when Gregor Blanco made that spectacular
catch in right center, everyone just knew
it. It was going to happen. It had to happen.
When it was over, I hugged my Dad, I hugged the guy in front
of me, I hugged the guy behind me, and I might’ve hugged other random people in
the stands; I honestly don’t remember. The exact moment is a blur: groundball
to 3rd, Arias staggering back, the throw, eruption, euphoria. And hugging. Lots
and lots of hugging.
Honestly, I’m having a hard time collecting my thoughts
tonight. It’s humbling to realize you’ve been a witness to real, actual
history, something that hasn’t happened ever before to a franchise that’s 128
years old. It’s nearly impossible to wrap my head around. I don’t think I’ll
fully appreciate what I just witnessed for at least a few days.
But right now, I’ll take the overwhelming happiness. Tonight,
Matt Cain was perfect.
Matt Cain was PERFECT.
