I just finished watching what might be one of the best World Series playoffs ever. It had everything — big moments, unexpected heroes, heartbreak, and pure drama. You couldn’t script it better.
But as thrilling as it was, I found myself thinking about how deeply so many people live through these events. For some, a team’s win feels like personal triumph. A loss feels like something taken from them. It’s remarkable how emotionally invested we become in something we have absolutely no control over.
Don’t get me wrong — I love sports. They bring people together and showcase skill, strategy, and perseverance. They give us stories that inspire and entertain. But I do think many of us cross an invisible line — from enjoying the game to letting it define our moods, priorities, and even our wallets.
Because let’s face it: professional sports are big business. Players are paid staggering salaries, and the cost of attending games has skyrocketed. Tickets, travel, hotels, food — it’s easy for a weekend of fandom to run into the thousands. And yet, people do it — sometimes going into debt for the experience, sometimes putting “the game” ahead of family needs.
Somewhere along the line, cheering became consuming. What used to be a night out has turned into an identity, even an obsession. And I think that’s dangerous — not just financially, but psychologically. Studies have shown that extreme fan devotion can affect mental health, stress levels, even physical well-being. When our sense of happiness depends on what a group of well-paid strangers do on a field, maybe it’s time to pause and reflect.
Sports should be about inspiration, not imitation. Admire the effort, the teamwork, and the discipline — but don’t let it take over your own story. Use that energy to build something in your own life: your health, your relationships, your community. Those are the arenas where the wins really matter.
By all means, celebrate the home run or the buzzer-beater. Just remember that the most important scoreboard isn’t at the stadium — it’s the one that measures how we live, how we treat others, and what we give back.