Root Root Root for the Home Team

With the Packer season forcing its way in and the Brewers going headstrong, Wisconsin can only hope that both teams‘ seasons, make us jump out of our chairs and slap high fives all around. Brewer losses are easier since there’s usually another game the next day or at least the day after. Packer losses make for very bad Monday’s, dark Tuesday’s & grueling Wednesday’s. Then we lament and criticize and cry and finally start setting our eyes on Sunday again. We go through it all together, though. Driving around listening to the game, it’s not uncommon to be waiting at a traffic light, and see everyone else around you abuse their steering wheel the same way you do. We are excited by every win, devastated by every loss.

There’s something to be said about rivalries, though. My next door neighbor is not only a Cubs fan, but also a Bears fan. For the last five years, since they infiltrated the neighborhood, we’ve had a constant back and forth. During games we ring each others doorbells obnoxiously when our teams do a good play. Phone calls interrupt important kick offs and returns. Green window paint has adorned their doors and car windows, while blue is often found on mine. Last season I took a big piece of drywall and wrote PACKERS and BEARS across the top and religiously kept track of wins and losses, at times trudging through the deep snow. I protected it with vinyl sheeting, so when he sat down to eat his meals he could see his team’s history of disaster through his kitchen window. Revenge, of course, was both times the mighty Pack fell to the Bears and I had to write WIN in their column and LOST in ours. Sad, Sad times.

We live side by side, though… him with his wooden cut-out Bear on the front porch, us with our swinging Packer on ours. We gripe and moan, laugh and dream. We take moments and replay them. Retell jokes and comments. Lately we’ve been whining about quarterbacks, offering each other up trades like we are in charge. He just put a Cub’s #1 Fan license plate border on to match our Packer one. Our kids still play with each other, though. It’s all talk.

I’m very excited for the Brewers. I know I am because when I read the articles I see the last name and instantly know the first name. Other years I don’t know any players, much less read any articles. I signed up for the ticket lottery system for opening day and I get MLB emails. I was listening when Cory Hart made his “in the park homerun” and I check their stats nearly every night on the computer.

I’ve always been a Packer Fan. Starting decades ago when, after selling programs outside County Stadium we got to go in with employee passes. We were restricted to standing room only spots, but we still got to watch THE game. Currently, I’m a highly coveted #62359 on the Waiting List. And just like the masses in Wisconsin we usually plan things AROUND the Packers Game.

The Brewers could catch the Cubbies, they’re only 5 games back. Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin (bar a few renegades) is rooting for them. In the meantime we can all enjoy the George Webb burgers (6 for $5 when the Brewers get at least 5 runs), Brewer and Cub fans alike.

I’m not sure about the Packer Season yet. The two preseason games have made me feel like I’m watching an episode of LOST ~ more questions then answers, lots of expendable characters, and no chance to predict the ending. Nevertheless, I’ll be watching every game, hoping Mondays are bright and beautiful!

* This piece was submitted for consideration for the Journal Sentinal Community Columnist position.