The Day After

     We have heard of "The Day After" that means the day after a global-nuclear war.  But in 
this story, "The Day After" is defined as the moment a person or people still care about a 
person, place, or thing regardless of any unfortunate outcome.  The unfortunate outcome can 
be death, divorce, departure, destruction, or other outcomes.  

     Here are some instances I witnessed, and this can be referred to as "The Day After."  
Kevin Mitchell won the Most Valuable Player (M.V.P.) award as a San Francisco Giant in 1989.  
This is the same year the Giants won the National League pennant.  Die hard Giant fans were 
happy Mitchell won the M.V.P. Also, they gave him respect, popularity in the baseball industry 
such as cards and memorabilia, and convinced him he belongs in San Francisco.

     Unfortunately in 1992, Kevin Mitchell was traded to the Seattle Mariners where he had a 
dismal year.  His production was not good compared to his M.V.P. year.  In other words, pitchers 
were not afraid to throw strikes.

     The time is 1994, and Mitchell is playing for the Cincinnati Reds.  His batting performance 
has improved dramatically.  He is driving in runs, hitting above .300, and pitchers are afraid 
to throw strikes because he may hit an R.B.I. single or even hit a home run.

     When Mitchell and the Reds were to play at Candlestick for a three-game series, Giant fans 
were supposed to boo the Reds because they were in first place in their division and basically 
speaking, we hated them.  Surprising to me, the fans booed the Reds except Kevin Mitchell--the 
1989 M.V.P. for the Giants, leader in home runs, RBI's, and helped the Giants win the 1989 
National League pennant.  In fact, they cheered and gave him a standing ovation when he came 
up to bat for the first time in each game of the series.

     Despite Mitchell in a Reds uniform, the fans still remember the things he did as a Giant.  
They will not forget the great moments Mitchell gave us when he was a Giant from 1987 to 1991.  
The dedicated Giant fans still cared.  Kevin Mitchell--The Day After.

     If anyone has to make a choice about caring after any unfortunate circumstances, then 
maybe he or she may want to remember the following:  "The Day After."