Maybe it's the wisdom of years, though every year that little voice reminds me that I am less wise than I thought I was...
I am far more attracted to the culture, the stories, the journey, the long slog through the season. I admire the fan loyalty of long suffering teams who never win, yet know everything about the teams and players and the history of their franchise. And they never give up hope. Believe it or not, there are even Cubs fans like this, who are not inebriated all the time, and I really admire their fandom.
It's why baseball is so attractive to me; it's every day, nitty gritty, just like life. The very best teams totally suck some days, just like life. No one goes undefeated in life. And neither does any baseball team, not even the Yankees.
Even if this Reds team does win the WS this year (and I will be thrilled if that happens), I will still be sad after the season, because that little part of the journey is over. That time can never be recaptured, never lived in the present again.
Just maybe, as woy is hinting at (I think), the joy is as much in experiencing the journey as it is relishing the end of the story.