For the love of the game

I love the Boston Red Sox more than any other sports team. Leaps and bounds more.

But I'm a fan of the game of baseball even more so than I am a Red Sox fan.

I have a borderline insane affinity for baseball. It's a quirky, backwards game built around failure.

Tonight I was cheering for Aaron Judge to hit his 61st home run. Against my beloved Red Sox. I was feeling a cocktail of confusion, excitement, conflicted, and joyful. It was equal parts "this is amazing!" and "oh god what am I doing."

Judge did not his 61st home run. I bet he'll hit 61 and 62 tomorrow. I really hope he does. God how can I say that!? I'm a Red Sox fan!

But I love the game more, and I would be willing to bet any player on any roster would agree with me. The laundry is important, but it's all for the love of the game.