You Set the Fire In Me, CC

(title song link) In my heart, I knew he'd walk away.

And yet, I can't seem to muster much contempt for the guy. He seems like a gentleman-- genuinely liked by teammates he's had along the way, and a real favorite of the fans.

Sure, he did say he liked being a Brewer this summer. And that he'd consider coming back, even though he knew any offer from here would not match the highest one that came his way. Even so-- I can't rally myself to call his heart a cheatin' one.

It may be that even if he'd had that thought sincerely, his agent and others convinced him that if he dared settle for a contract that was nowhere near as big as the fattest one on the table, none of the other players would let him join in any reindeer games ever again and they'd whistle, eyes fixed on the sky, while he was regularly pulled from the mound in third innings with a mysteriously larger ERA than he'd started the game with.

(I doubt that's how they operate. But winter meetings are so... so Vegas.)

You knew there'd be some disparity-- but it turned out to be millions upon millions of dollars' difference between the Brewers' truly respectable offer, and the Yankees' truly insane one-- one that has baseball insiders scratching their heads after they close their gaping mouths. CC is going to have unbelievable pressure on him next season, especially for a guy who for all his supreme qualities, has yet to be known as "Mr. October." That pressure will come from New York fans, and from fans who may up until now have shrugged off paydays-from-another-planet for athletes as part of the price we cough up for "entertainment"-- but are now weary of hearing about guaranteed contracts that seem obscene while the ticket buyers themselves are now watching their own grocery store bills with meticulous care.

But despite the very valid bread'n'circuses argument, I'm glad we knew CC. The team I've been a fan of for as long as I can remember made the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. 26 years. Heck, that far back I don't even recognize myself. I will never forget the moment they clinched... pacing in front of the TV, my daughter nervously following in my steps, camera on the Brewers in the dugout while they watched the Mets on Miller Park's screen. And how thrilling it was to see that postgame celebration, with players we'd followed so closely all season and all the other seasons.

To some it may sound silly, but being a fan of a team that actually seems to have a chance to accomplish something-- rather than one that gets ignored or laughed at year after year-- does a little somethin' somethin' for the spirit. And I can't feel bad about that.

I didn't expect they'd last much beyond that first playoff week. They were a little green, and a little slumpy, and the Phillies were unconscious. I was happy with what we got. And I'm happy with CC and what he did to get them there. I really hope he pitches well this year.

It's the rest of the Yankees that can boot the ball.

I love this story!