The series able to save our nation - A Necessary Ambiguity

The fall of this year has brought an uncertain feel to our normal lives. With the re-starting of an academic and work year and the grief of a nation looming over, we have all had to reexamine the way we live and the way the world continues around us. Sporting, entertainment and even our work have seemed so frivolous against the backdrop of the turmoil and stress in our lives. However, together we continue our daily walk with classes and work as our show of solidarity, courage and bravery; a will to triumph over that which challenges us personally and collectively. Yet, as we continually do in our busy lives and stressed world, we need an outlet for our humanity and sorrows.

Seeking this respite from the reality we turned from our serious concerns back to entertainment, sports and specifically, the World Series. We gathered to experience it on TVs, the Internet and radio. We talked on end about strategy and history of the game. We enjoyed the great plays, efforts and conflicts that make up the series. The 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees was a spectacle of baseball and the spirit of sports at its best.

Building up to the series, the New York Yankees had staged a series of dramatic and incredible wins against its opponents to even reach the contest. The Arizona Diamondbacks, in no less dramatic fashion, persevered against a series of time-tested teams to reach the ultimate match. With both teams, the admiration's and hopes of a nation seemed to fly with them as they played. As we sat enjoying at our homes, even our dignitaries held hands in the stands to find balm for their own troubles and calm for a weary nation.

As we watched the series unfold, the games quickly came to symbolize the hopes and wishes that pull us through our lives, our tests and our challenges. The analogy of baseball and all sports played at the highest level is a reflection of our personal and collective endeavors, both personally and as a people. People all over connected with these feelings just by their mere willingness to observe. This past week, sports and the humanity they provide for all of us were operating at great levels.

In just one week, the sublimity of the series with its last-out heroics and brilliant personal efforts embodied the struggle of man and will against the hardships and stresses of his endeavors. The focused direction of the team showcased the ability of man to succeed for greater goals in mass numbers. And yet, in all this metaphorical effort, the game took our cares and stresses and simply cast them aside for all those who would observe. A particularly poignant analogy of this was the singing of our National Anthem before each game, an event scaled greater in context by the events of the fall, followed by the call to "Play Ball!" Even the stress and concerns of our nation seemed to be on hiatus to play and enjoy the "National Pastime."

It is now late autumn, the changes from another idyllic summer increase towards winter. The "boys of summer" have hung up their cleats and gloves, and those who are not employed to play a game are already working with the implements of our occupation. However, for one week, for one game, for one instant, an umpire said play ball and we watched and enjoyed baseball both independently and as a people while the world and it's worries seemed frozen around us. Thank you Diamondbacks, Yankees and all of sports and entertainment for those needed pauses to enjoy the games and lightness of life. Thank you for uniting and, most important, continuing to work and play for all of us.