Now that the playoffs are in full swing and I watch the Capitals as they battle their way through (great win last night!), I am feeling the same old feelings of up and down, up and down, up and down.
Let me tell you; it is tough! When my husband Abe and I owned the teams, I used to feel like I was on a roller coaster. There is so much build up before the season, before each game, and certainly before the playoffs.
Superstition seems to always play a part in games. Some years ago our president of the Bullets used to carry a certain number of M&M’s in his pants pocket. No more, no less; it had to be the exact amount (It’s a wonder they didn’t get squashed!). Abe used to wear the same tie and jacket until the playoffs were over. I just chewed on tranquilizers (now that’s a sign of times)!
When the game was over and we won, it was a great ride in the car going home. When the game was over and we lost, we drove straight to the Frozen Custard shop near our house to drown our sorrows. Well, we needed something to pick us up!
Obviously, the conversation in the car followed the mood and believe me, it is no fun to sit in silence for the forty minute ride home. The frozen custard did help for a while but then we began a new ritual; when we won we still stopped to get our chocolate frozen custard fix. But, this time, it was to celebrate! Either way we still got our treat! And, of course, we always looked to Lady Luck to help!
But, I can tell you that luck can only take you so far. It is really lots of hard and tough work to win a game and then a series of games. “Wins” are extremely valuable. Until I was a part of the sports world, I had no appreciation of what it takes to win a game. The process is long, going way back to when all the players were scouted as kids and the years of training and playing that finally brings them to the NBA. Once they are in the NBA, it’s dealing with injuries, traveling, being traded, hoping to get selected, etc. All of this is part of the “behind the scenes” in professional sports.
And, often for some of the players, dealing with celebrity becomes a part of their lives. It is something that some players handle very well and others… not so well. Some thrive on it, some are very uncomfortable.
But, there it is! Professional sports!
From the Heart 
Thank-you Mrs. Pollin for this insight as the owner. As employees, we weathered the ups and downs, highs and lows, but working for the Pollins always made it worth it. Your blog provides an additional insight beyond the experiences we had with you and Mr. Pollin. Both of you were always positive and reminded us that “next year, the team will be back and even better”. Thanks for 25 years of great memories.