Sports, DMB and the Evolution of Cheap Seats

Isn’t interesting how things change in life? It’s a simple fact that we all have a way of evolving as our life goes on. We can either embrace it or fight it—but regardless it’s going to happen. It’s only natural to always be changing. And it’s not really a bad thing either. It’s normal.

(Bear with me—this is going to be about sports, I promise.)

Earlier this week Dave Matthews Band released their newest album to world. There was a time that a new DMB album would make the world stop for me (like, my entire 20’s). Monday would have me waiting for the album to drop on Tuesday—then listen to it repeatedly in between appearances on The Tonight Show, Letterman and anywhere else they’d show up. It was a week-long event and I loved every minute of it.

Well, things have changed. The DMB release date came and went—and the only thing that marked the occasion was another 13 songs on my iPod. Listening to the new songs, I can’t help but be reminded how this was the music that helped change my life and helped shape me to be the man that I am. Looking back, I must have been looking for something between my 18th birthday and my 30th. I didn’t know what it was I was looking for—hell, I didn’t even know I was looking for something. But looking back, I must have.

I was going through that same period in life that EVERYONE goes through at some point in their life. Sooner or later, everyone wants to know what the whole point of life is. Some people want answers when they’re young and moving into adulthood. Others blindly push forward into their adult lives and ignore that nagging feeling that they’re missing out on something bigger. Sometimes people start searching for it later in life. Sometimes it’s a divorce, maybe the death of a loved one or even an emptiness inside that can’t be filled.

As I get older and my priorities change—there’s always one constant: Sports. I’ve gone through a bunch of different phases in my life, but sports are always there. During my sister’s High School graduation party, I was watching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Devils and the Stars. During my 16th birthday party, I was watching Game 7 between the Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks. At my wedding, my best man was watching the Penn State vs. Iowa game while we were trying to figure out cufflinks and tuxedo ties.

After all these years, I’m starting to realize that sports are one of the only things that I’ll be able to depend on into my grey years. Chances are I’ll be like a Boston Red Sox fan entering my golden years—praying to God for that one Cup for the Kings; hoping for Nebraska to return to the glory of the 1990’s; asking for the Lakers and Dodgers to make Los Angeles the City of Champions again.

But that’s just the point. As I’ve gotten older and exchanged my sunglasses for reading glasses, I’ve started to appreciate the journey. When we’re younger, wins and losses can ruin entire weekends. Now, it takes something like a layoff or the illness of a loved one to screw things up. It doesn’t make me any less of a fan—if anything I know more about my teams now than I ever have. I’ve LIVED the last 2 and a half decades with my teams; I’ve been through the highs and the lows that you can only appreciate if you’ve experienced them. You can read old articles or watch highlights, but nothing can replace that feeling of Robert Horry hitting a shot in the playoffs to win a game or Derek Fisher making the most of .4 seconds against the Spurs. Likewise, Spurs fans know exactly what I’m talking about, but for completely different reasons.

Just try to keep some of this in your mind as you ride the rollercoaster of emotions that only the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals can bring. Have fun knowing that your team is the only show in town. Look at the out-of-town scoreboard that’s turned off because you’re one of only 2 teams left for the year. Keep in mind all of the joy you get from the goal-ahead goals or the dagger 3-pointers—because these moments don’t come around all the time.

Keep in mind that we fans are NOT the teams playing for a trophy; there’s no harm in us being “just happy to be here.” As I get older, I look back and wish that I appreciated some of the past moments a little more. I won’t make that mistake again. I’m going to watch the Cup Finals and soak up every minute of the excitement and the energy. I’m going to watch the NBA Finals and appreciate that my team won’t get there every season—it’s a moment to be cherish.

Because there’s the thing—things change. When I was touring around the country, tailgating in 5 states in a week, I thought it would last forever. Towards the end, I started taking the journey for granted. I can go back and listen to shows that I attended—and I realize that they ALL could have been good if I wanted them to be. These Finals can be good if you want them to be too. Remember, if someone told you at the beginning of the year that your team would be in a Best of 7 series to win it all, you would have jumped at the chance.

Sports aren’t going anywhere for me. I’m just learning to maximize the high points, find a little balance in my life and enjoy the ride. You never know when your life is going to take a change—maybe one day you’ll find yourself touring around with a band instead of stressing over Trevor Ariza’s free throw percentage.

For the people that were focused on the DMB part of this post, here’s the concert from earlier this week that got me thinking about all of this. For others, we’ll now return your regularly scheduled VFMS sarcasm…

If you've been back this many times and aren't a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Even if our RSS feeds scare the hell you (because you don't quite understand RSS), we promise the email alerts aren't painful at all. Seriously, a money-back-guarantee-even-though-its-free kind of promise.