1. Like Jimbo and Patrick425, I was 16 in 1982. Like Backupcatchers, 1982 was the first year I followed baseball and the Brewers, so while I was excited by the Brewers' success, I wasn't yet familiar enough with 'the game' to fully appreciate the team's overall strength in the league. Living "outstate" meant I didn't get quite the chance to eat/sleep/breathe Brewers like some in Milwaukee might have, nor to share the excitement as wildly (Monroe, where my family lived at the time, was pretty much a football town). I didn't attend my first game until September 1983, so I developed my Brewers interest without having ever set foot in County Stadium - and, as others mentioned, without regularly seeing the players on TV. Obviously I was glad the Brewers made the playoffs (I'd write about game results in a diary I kept at the time), but I remember clearly - and now marvel at - how easily I accepted their Game 7 loss. I saw footage of the welcome-home parade and rally on the news and literally, naively thought to myself, "well, they'll win it in 1983." I was absolutely convinced of that. There wasn't Brewers merchandise for sale in Monroe (though I did get a McDonald's commemorative placemat); I had no means to go to Milwaukee and get any postseason swag, and consequently, I feel like I under-appreciated the 1982 season. There is no way I'd be so sanguine about the Brewers just missing out anymore. If they reach a WS game 7 and lose, I'll be bawling. Of course, if they reach a WS game 7 and win, I will also be bawling. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eyes.gif 2. I consider myself a hopeful fan, which I think is different from being optimistic, and I strive to not make too many assumptions (either positive or negative). 3. I'm not really a football fan, and only the most casual of followers, so I don't pay that sport much attention at any time of year. 4. I feel bad for "Packer Nation" and Favre followers, since he and the Packers have turned his retirement/unretirement into an unpleasant circus that is bound to tarnish Favre's legacy with at least some of his fanbase; but since my interest was casual to begin with, it's not affecting me - apart from when the local sports segments in Madison news start off with Favre issues and I impatiently wait to see what they're going to say about the Brewers. (Note I didn't say "impatiently wait for Brewers news." I get Brewers news from this website.) Hope that helps.