Posted this in a GDT and figured I'd give it a shot here since RJ asked (first fanpost)

I used to be very dissapointed when, a  few years ago, there was no such thing as a meaningful game past May, in reality. I guess it speaks volumes about this team that I sit here in early September truly saddened by forcing myself into the realization that the playoffs are not going to happen.

If you really stop and think about it, it is quite nice and quite an accomplishment to be upset that 90 wins is likely out of reach and that the playoffs are all but a mathematical impossibility.

I’m not proud of the way this team has performed the past week, but I am glad after years of suffering through 162 games, that I sit here and really only have to suffer through about 30.

I’m proud of this team. Perhaps they under achieved this year, but that is probably as relevant as saying they over achieved last year.

Expectations are higher from the fan base, and that is a good problem to have, particuarly when they are justified. Good and bad moves are going to happen, as are good and bad seasons. But if a bad season is about 85 wins and in contention to the last 3 weeks, then this team is really laying some ground work to build upon.

I’m excited to see the last few games and, if nothing else, begin to speculate, crunch numbers, and smile when I realize, in my own little head, that next year has just as much promise and potential as this year had and unlike years past, we will, again, start the season in the thick of the hunt for the AL crown.

Let’s just wrap this thing up on a few good notes and leave the fans with that sense of optimism and anticipation we all had going into this year.

This, my friends, is the hangover, but as with most hangovers, it was brought about from a previous great time.