Forever - Christian Yelich

When Has That Stopped Me Before?

Brooklyn~
Late September 2022

"September playoff push, let's go," I say to some of the guys around me. We're the clear division winners and should win tonight. It's the Pirates, and well, you know, they aren't that good. We wouldn't be a Wild Card team so it makes it even better.

"Are you guys nervous?" Sarah asks both Jordan and me. I speak up first, "Honestly no. We should win tonight. I'm not trying to sound cocky but, it just makes sense that we would win tonight. They've been playing really good baseball the past few weeks so I'm not worried."

"Yeah, I think we should be fine. They've been killing it so far. We have a pretty good record too."

I look over into the outfield and see Christian and Lo messing around. I shake my head and laugh as the two banter with each other. This time I could hear what they were saying. Couns put Christian in rightfield instead of left, which I like better, he's closer to me and I can actually see him.

"You guys are closing in on the wedding right?" Sarah asks me.

"Yeah, about four months to go. So I'm starting to get excited!"

"I am too. I just got my flight booked last night."

"You're able to make it?"

"Yeah! I wasn't sure for a couple of months but I really didn't want to miss it. We've gotten really close over the past two years and I've enjoyed every minute of it."

I really have enjoyed getting close with Sarah. In the beginning, I was for sure thought she was out for my man, but she's not. She's the sweetest, kindest, girl I've ever worked with. "I was really hoping you were able to make it."

I look over to see running through the dugout and the switching of teams on the field. Wow, that was fast. Well, let's keep it that way, but let's score some runs.

I stay standing as I've done way too much sitting the past few days. Alecia flew back in for a week to finalize wedding things now so we don't have to deal with much during the offseason. She's a saint and I love her. Our wedding wouldn't be possible without her help. 

I watch Ryan come over to me and stand next to me, "You think he's gonna hit a homer?"

I look over to Ryan and back to Christian as he stands at the plate getting set, "This at-bat? Or any of his at-bat's tonight?"

"Uhh, this one?"

"I feel like I have to say yes, don't I?"

"Probably." Sometimes he doesn't make sense to me. The crack of the ball hitting the bat seems like it's the loudest sound in the park right now. I look over to Ryan in shock, "Did he really just do that?"

"Yeah, he did." Christian lets his bat fall and starts to jog around the bases but catches my eye and winks toward me. The smile that's on my face just got bigger, "That was for me," Ryan tells me and I elbow him. "No, it wasn't," I shoot back at him and turn myself toward him more.

"You taking in every last moment?" I ask as he looks around at the ecstatic fans who stand and sit around the stadium. "Yeah, it's weird. I'm trying to make the most of it though. The energy never gets old."

"It never will." 

"Do you think a lot's going to change after I leave?"

"I mean we're all going to miss you. We all understand that you deserve to retire. You've had one hell of a career. When you do come back for a series or two, we're gonna be so excited. You're always welcomed back, you know that. Christian might be the face of the Brewers now, but you were the face of the Brewers for such a long time. Even when you do leave, they still have a job to do. Next season we still have to win games and show up, except it'll be without you. But, we'll be doing it for you."