Last weekend, my wife and I, along with two of her cousins, went to the final Minnesota Twins game of the season. They were already out of the playoffs, so either winning or losing the game didn't matter for their team's standing.
However, if that game was someone's first time at a Twins game, whether the players played to win or lose, they should always play as if it's someone's first time there. Someone may have spent their entire lives wanting to go to a game, even saved for the trip.
The same goes with musicians and concerts. They should always play as if it's their first concert for someone, their first experience.
Authors are also not immune to this. Every story should be written as if it's someone's first time reading your story. Don't treat it like a throwaway story.
By the way, the Twins lost that game too, six to two against the Baltimore Orioles. Was it a throwaway game? Some have opinions. I'll keep mine to myself because I had a good time and, not being a sports fan, I don't like criticizing another player for something I could never do.