A quick report is due on the first game of the American League Division Series between the Rays and the White Sox, a game which the Rays fortunately won. Attending was exciting and fun and left me with several enduring impressions.

First, there is a phenomenal camaraderie formed between complete strangers in situations like this. We all acted like we’d known each other since middle school. At one point, I’m high fiving the lady next to me and bumping fists with the guy in front. Our friend Keith is not a touchy feely guy, but the drunk, I mean fan, next to him hugged him after a home run. Pretty interesting.

Secondly, in the needle-in-a-haystack department, we were blessed before the game to have a friend and church member Hannah descend from the seats above us to say “hi”. She had spotted me coming back with two $4 sips of Pepsi, and rushed down to see us. (Weren’t you supposed to be in class, Hannah?) Later, between innings, I ran into a fellow pastor and friend Dave Harding. It is no surprise that I would KNOW two people out of the 35,000 plus in attendance. But that I would see them? That’s odd.

Thirdly, if there was any debate remaining about Evan Longoria deserving rookie of the year, he crushed any doubt with his first two at bats.

I have a fourth impression, but that deserves a post of its own.

Right now, we are celebrating that the Tampa Bay Rays are the only team in major league history to be undefeated in every one of their post season games.

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