Though Dylanian in the elegance of its poesy and the truth of its message, the phrase comes from the intro to a TV sports show.

Wide World of Sports.

Iconic Jim McKay’s voice over the opening credits.

Who can shake the image of that ski jumper careening off the launch ramp, a Irish hurler being dropped by an errant swing. Pele’s ecstatic leap into a teammate’s arms after a big goal for Brazil?

The phrase lives Methuselahian in the lexicon of athletics.

The thrill of victory.

The agony of defeat.

My Louisville Cardinals 81, Virginia 67.

Thrill of victory.

My Detroit Lions 31, Washington 45.

Agony of defeat.

A healthy helping of both.

Along with way way too many bowls of popcorn. You know like that unlimited refillable barrel you get at Cineplex. Squared. Till your stomach says “no mas.”

 * * * * *

I recently wrote a piece at culturemaven.com about perspective and how our personal well being — or not — affects how we perceive matters. Movies. Music. New acquaintances.

A parallel consideration is how athletes and teams perform at a given moment. Their mind set. Their ability to prepare, persevere, overcome. Or not.

The U of L basketball season is a wonder.

New coach. New team. Renewed enthusiasm from the faithful.

A ReviVille.

The ability to adapt in the face of injuries.

It is a delicate balance. Still tipping the Cardinals’ way.

The Detroit Lions football season is a wonder.

Best record ever.

But that balance tipped the other way.

At the most important moment, the playoffs, the exigencies of a long season took their toll.

On the players. On the coaches. On their fans.

It happens.

 * * * * *

I’m a sports junkie.

Saturday was a big day.

It proved again in microcosm, the yin and yang of life.

The thrill of victory.

The agony of defeat.

The benefits of feeling the full spectrum of emotions.

Its ever present call for perspective.

— c d kaplan