End of an era?

I know most people weren't into the Dodger/Phillies series. But with Greg still in the playoffs my attention is...was... squarely focused there. Although he's been relegated to bullpen duty, I still have strong desire to see him and thus the team succeed.

Well that's all over. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers last night 5-1. I know most people were probably watching the debate (and seeing John McCain about to blow a gasket) but there I was watching the Dodgers poop away the series.

The game took on more prominence when Maddux actually got into the game. The Dodger's starter, Chad Billingsley, struggled yet again. Maddux pitched a 1-2-3 fourth but ran into trouble in the fifth. He was about to get out of it (without allowing any runs) when he induced the Phillies, Pat Burrel into an inning-ending double play. But the Dodgers's shortstop, Rafeal Furcal, booted it and then threw widely to the plate allowing Chase Utley to score. Yes, Furcal had two errors on one play. But that wasn't the end of Furcal's follies. Two batters later, he errored again this time on a routine throw to first base. He had three errors in one inning...allowing two runs to score. Needless to say, I was infuriated and lashing out to the TV (much to Jenny's chagrin).

The game took on an added edge with the fact that it might have been Maddux's last game. He's very non-committal when talking about his plans for next year. He'll be a free agent once the season is over. I just didn't want him to go out in that fashion. He did battle through the inning in a professional fashion and everybody watching the game knew the runs were a result of Furcal's blunders but still one would have liked to see him go out in a more worthwhile manner. (Of course it's not all all surprising that it's basically going unreported...that might have been his last game).

Ultimately I'm just not ready to deal with baseball with him playing. That's probably weird on one (maybe more) level(s) but it's the truth. I've invested so much time and energy following his career that when he does retire there will be a void in my life.

I'm not ready to face that just quite yet.