Mark Shapiro

And I promise you, you know, we're coming at a good moment right now, but there will be tough times.

That's the nature of 162 games.

I was trying to make a joke at my own expense.

I'd like to think that that is a longstanding effort to identify the right players, acquire the right players, develop them by rewarding certain attributes and values.

And some of it's just...

You know, we're fortunate to have guys that legitimately show joy playing the game.

You know, Vladdy, as our best player, you know, comes out there with so much joy.

Ernie Clement wrote an incredible article, you know, talks about just the joy he tries to bring to the field.

And I think.

In addition to the joy, the level of care that they've got for each other, which is authentic.

It's off the field, too.

It's not just on the field.

And that has translated year to year with some guys changing over.

You know, they have said that is still going to be our identity.

That's still going to be who we are.

And so I think that those two things resonate with this city, with this country, particularly with what we've experienced over the last couple of years here.

And our fans have identified with it.

And the coolest thing for me, listen, I'm a lifelong baseball guy.

This is my 35th season in MLB.

But to have people come up to me and say,