Tears of Pain, Tears of Joy

It’s was good to have a day like Saturday. A day that reminds that sometimes it really is more than just a game, more than just a trivial pursuit to fill an otherwise day. A day that lets us put down our tough guy shields and succumb to the emotion. A day when those in pain pushed forward and those under matched experienced the joy of success.
Four and half months after the shootings that ravaged Virginia Tech, college football returned to Blacksburg, and there weren’t many dry eyes in Lane Stadium. The school is still obviously trying to recover from that fateful April day but as the team took the field on Saturday, the healing seemed to get a bit of a boost.
It’s incredible what a sports team does for people that are struggling. Like what Jackie Robinson did in the battle for equal rights or what the Saints did for the people of New Orleans last year. It’s amazing that when the fans fill the stadium, drinks and popcorn begin to be consumed and the uniform goes on, the hurting come together. The people lean on each other, feel the pride of being united by common colors and root on the players that represent them.
So when the Hokies walked through the tunnel and then ran onto the field Saturday, the emotions begin to flow. It was more than just a football game for those players and fans. It was moment when an unbreakable bond was formed. And despite a sluggish performance, Va. Tech was able to grind out a 17-7 victory over Eastern Carolina. The slogan has been “We are Hokies, we will prevail.” On Saturday, the people of Blacksburg, Virginia showed that they were ready to come together and do just that.
Then later in the day, tears came again, tears of joy. Boston’s Clay Buchholz pitched a no hitter against Baltimore to become the first rookie to ever do so for the club. Just the day before, Minnesota’s Scott Baker had taken a perfect game/no hitter into the ninth before losing the bid but this time, Buchholz was able to seal the deal for himself with a series of devastating 12-6 curveballs in the last two innings.
He had Dustin Pedroia to thank for making a fine diving stop and throw in the 7th before making a great defensive play of his own in the 8th. That’s the thing about perfect games and no-hitters, one slip, one great hit or one anything and the all thing is gone. What might take 120 pitches, seven or eight innings and great defensive stops can all be gone with one swing of the bat or one bad reaction to a grounder or pop-up. The no-no is the ultimate all or nothing bet.
Which is why when one takes place, grown professional baseball players jump up and down like 3rd graders who just found out school was snowed out. It’s what makes Josh Beckett, a seasoned World Series Champion, jump over the dugout rail is single leap to chase after a fellow teammate who was just making his second appearance for the club. It’s what causes David Ortiz to be so excited that he nearly knocks out the young pitcher with an elbow to the head as he celebrates wildly.
Manager Terry Francona said before the game he was sending the recently recalled Buchholz make down to Pawtucket whether he performed well or not. No word yet whether he has done so or not but for that moment on Saturday night, the young hurler from Nederland, Texas got to live the ultimate pitcher’s dream and all the joy that comes with it.
Sports are alive just as much we are ourselves. So go ahead, let it out. Cry when it’s painful and cry when the moment is joyous. The game is supposed to be emotional and passionate, so play and cheer like it.