It's Playoff Time. Please Try to Enjoy It.

For those of you who aren't among the three avid readers of Five Outs to Go, the irony of that headline may be lost on you. See, I am bit of a worrier. I sweat the small stuff. I believe in jinxes and curses. I think what hat or shirt I wear has an effect on the outcome of a game. I know that my choice of wallpaper on my laptop is important to wins and losses. I knock after I say anything positive about the Cubs. I am a nut job. I am positive bad things are gonna happen. I constantly think of worse case scenarios and then try to top them. I am insane and there is nothing I can do to stop it. During the playoffs it's much worse. Every hit is the beginning of the end. Every double play means our downfall is eminent. Every loss means the season is over. I just can't help it. So as the playoffs begin, I beg you...PLEASE don't be like me. Enjoy it.

Seasons like this are few and far between...and I don't just mean for the Cubs. Most teams never sniff anything near 97 wins. Even fewer are able to sustain success long enough to make the playoffs in consecutive years, let alone repeat as champs of their division. What we, as Cubs fans, have witnessed this year is truly something special. This is a remarkable team, with all-star talent, a hall-of-fame manager and a legit chance of going all the way. I mean...wow. So now the hard part begins....enjoying it.

On Wednesday, instead of thinking about all that can go wrong, think of all that has gone right. Instead of worrying about Lowe and Manny, cheer for Mark and Aramis. Instead of sweating each hit or walk, take a moment to relish in the unique atmosphere that is Wrigley Field during the postseason. Soak it all in. All of it. There will be plenty of time this winter to analyze what went right or wrong. There will be countless opportunities to dissect every little nuance of these games. For now, just sit back, relax and enjoy. It's not as hard as it sounds...or so I've heard.

Now pardon me, while I pour over the splits of the Cubs right-handed pinch hitters in night games on Wednesdays in October. Like I said, I am insane.

Go Cubs.
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