I could say that I hate the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, but I do not. Sure, I may feel some disdain for them as they are in another World Series while my beloved Texas Rangers find themselves at home for a second straight postseason. If one wants to delve deeper, one could say that I am jealous. And who would not be with such a wonderful championship portfolio.
Because of how 2011 World Series ended, it is easy for Rangers fans to hate the Cardinals, but it was not the Cardinals who gave up that series-changing triple to David Freese. Nor was that triple hit over a St. Louis right fielder not playing a no-doubles defense to keep these kind of hits from making such a huge impact.
Before anyone blames a team for taking advantage of opportunities handed to them, first look at how those said opportunities came about and see what the outcome would have been had they not surfaced: change Neftalí's pitch selection (three straight fastballs); change the right fielder for a defensive replacement (Chávez for Cruz); and change the defensive alignment (play a no-doubles defense in the outfield).
Yes, I have the benefit of hindsight, but one should not take the easy way out and hate another team just because it is easier. Hate the reason why it happened. Better yet, do not hate at all. Life is too short to waste on hate. Love your team and leave it at that.
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