Similar to losing a loved one, watching your favorite team get eliminated from playoff contention can be a hard pill to swallow. Whether it is a fate you saw coming, or a complete and utter surprise, the five stages of grief await you as you begin to accept your new norm.
First comes denial. “It was just a dream” you try to tell yourself as you begin your weekly routine Monday morning, perhaps a few minutes later than you should have. “If I ignore what happened, nothing will be different” you insist as you check in on the Phillies and their pursuit of a young superstar (Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado).