Win Expectancy is a “story stat” – meaning
it provides historical
context to specific in-game situations.
(MLB.com glossary)
Our opponent thought they had the game
in the bag. The statistics were in their favor,
like knowing only one team has come back
from a 3-0 deficit. In a game built on failure,
someone has to win, to succeed, since it is
a binary choice. Our coach mouthed all
the cliches he could muster: Our backs
were against the wall; it’s not over until it’s over;
we’ve got this; and, why not us? Why not us.
The game, like life, can be cruel for winners
and losers along the way – an error,
a bad call, a diving catch, or the day’s starting
pitcher can swing the fickle pendulum
of momentum from elation to heartbreak
or vice versa. No one escapes it. Fate
can turn a double play with the best
of them. The weak hitting second baseman
loops an opposite-field double to ignite
a rally. There are only a few innings left.
We won’t quit. And we can’t. This is our life,
our love. We made a promise to ourselves
and to each other to play hard until the end.
History and statistics be damned.