I asked that single question to fans at AT&T Park on Opening Day, and at some of the Marina’s all-star roster of watering holes. The responses sorted themselves into surprising categories.

Cautiously optimistic:
“I’m waiting for No. 2.” Mike K., Monaghan’s

Naive:
“Torture is over.” Amanda A., Mauna Loa

Avenging:
“To Dodgers fans, I get to rub it in their faces.” Scott M., AT&T Park
“Young and hungry kids showed the rest of the country how to play.” Diane B., AT&T Park

The era of good feeling:
“Together. That’s all it is. Everyone gets a piece of the celebration.” Rommel C., AT&T Park
“Fans are happier than I’ve ever seen.” Rick M., AT&T Park

The disser:
“Lucky.” Aaron W., The Final Final

Relieved:
“A big monkey off the back.” Sean G., Mauna Loa

Stating the obvious:
“Being the best. No one can take it away down the line.” Matt M., Mauna Loa
“We’re the best.” Julie J., AT&T Park

Channeling John Belushi:
“Aaron Rowand’s [batting] stance, treating the bat like it’s a four-foot c**k.” Trevor C., Monaghan’s

Symbolistic:
“Wearing orange all the time and loving it.” Tricia C., AT&T Park
“Facial hair.” Ben T., Mauna Loa

Hard-boiled realistic:
“Going to be hard to repeat, but that’s baseball.” Andy W., The Final Final
“It’s something you better appreciate, because you don’t know when they’re going to do it again.” Jim O., Mauna Loa

Geographical party poopers:
“I don’t get how they could be World Champions when in the World Baseball Classic [2009] the United States lost to Mexico.” Ted, The Final Final
“It should be the U.S. Champion, not the World Champion.” Wendy, Mas Sake
Nihilistic:
“Continue not to expect anything and it’ll work.” Tom B., Liverpool Lil’s

Fatalistic:
“It only lasts one year.” Rob E., Liverpool Lil’s

Profound:
“I think of my grandparents, my friends who aren’t here. They never knew [a championship]. They only knew they wanted to win. This is so special. I’m going to cry.” Charles F., AT&T Park

When dictionaries fail:
“It means you’re amaze-balls.” Carla S., Mas Sake

Steve Hermanos is the author of O, Gigantic Victory! Baseball Poems: The 2010 Championship Season. Buy it at Books, Inc. on Chestnut Street. He is a real estate agent at 2200 Union Street. E-mail: [email protected]