So it's been a rough week at work, and tomorrow is my first day off in a while, so tonight I celebrated at the local watering hole, AKA OLD CHICAGO.
I was there with some great friends, and we talked about everything sports. There were some interesting situations concerning MN Sports presented to me tonight, and I'm curious to how everyone would have responded to them.
First of all - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TWINSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! - As of two nights ago, the Twins clinched the AL Central over the lowly Chicago White Sox. This basically means nothing more than we are going to the playoffs. We will HOST the first round of the playoffs and there is about a 50/50 chance we would host the second of the playoffs if we get there.
The Vikings decided to lose to themselves this week and are now 0-2. This is terrible news for my bold prediction of 13-3, but hey, mathematically it is still alive. We'll talk more about the Vikings in a moment.
My Timberwolves Season Tickets came in the mail today. No that isn't a joke.
The Wild opened up an exhibition game last night, HOCKEY IS BACK!
Finally the Gophers lost to USC 32 to 21 a week after losing to South Dakota by 3. I'm not really sure what that means other than a lot of people are extremely upset that we scored the last touchdown to kill the spread of 11 1/2.
Lets talk now about the Vikings. Many of you are probably wondering why I didn't post anything about the Vikes after their week 1 loss to the Saints. It was mainly due to me being upset. We had chances in that game. Then week 2 rolled along and we beat ourselves. Props to Miami for not making mistakes. This isn't the terrible Miami Dolphins team of a few years back. It is a decent football team, a team I thought we would lose against this year. However, when you turn the ball over like we did, get beat in both trenches, and have what looks like half the team not try, you aren't going to win many football games. At this point I would call the play of the Vikings pathetic. At least look like you want to win. I give AP props, he is still running the ball as hard as ever, but he can't do it all. Now the Lions roll into town. Everyone is probably thinking easy win. WRONG. The Lions have looked good in two football games this year, and while they are 0-2, they bring some exciting young talent to Minneapolis. (In my opinion the Lions should be 1-1 - See Calvin Johnson Process Catch) The Lions are also playing with a fire inside of them, watching their games, you can see they want to win. I haven't gotten that from the Vikings. I could write a book about how bad our play calling is. I have no problem whatsoever with them going for it on either of the 4 downs we had this week. What I do have a problem with, is selling the play. Miami was murdering us in the trenches, and we basically said AP was going to run it at you. I know he needed 2 yards, and he usually can get that on his own, but not when the whole stadium knows he is getting the ball. Spread the line out. Put 2 or 3 receivers on the line, get some of those defensive backs out of the backfield, and at least make the defense think about a quick slant. SERIOUSLY. There is no way we should have lost that football game. Regardless, I like the Lions this week. I think everyone is assuming we will win this game easily and finally get back on track. It isn't that easy. The way Jahvid Best is running, and the way we have let people run on us, lookout. I'll take the Lions 31 - 17.
Lets go to the TWINS! As of right now the Twins are tied for the best record in baseball. That is pretty sweet. We will open up the ALDS at home on October 6th at Target Field. Playoff baseball is back. I am interested to see how the Twins will perform at Target Field as it gets colder and colder. As of right now the Twins could host a World Series game in November if they get there! Imagine that. Either way, we are on fire, especially without our best player. I have heard through the grapevine that Morneau is considering getting a pinch hit appearance here and there over the next week if it continues to go well for him. If we don't see him next week, I think we will have to make our run without him. GO TWINKS!
Finally, here is the situation presented to me at the bar. If you could choose 99 losing seasons and 1 championship for the Twins, or 100 Winning Seasons and no championships, what would you choose. I chose 100 Winning Seasons without question. Think of all the pain and agony the Twins have caused me in the playoffs. I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. (I would like to especially thank Torii Hunter at this point) There have also been epic times, and I would much prefer the roller coaster ride every year than winning the whole thing one time. Needless to say there was some drama concerning this question. What do you think?
The other question was how many professional championships will this state win in the next 60 years. Friend A, Friend B, and Bartender all said 2. I said a different number. That may or may not be revealed at a later time. So how many?
Our offensive line continues to regress. It's a problem. McKinnie is slow (like usual) and Loadholt now looks like McKinnie v.2. WR problems or not, we need better pass protection and better blocking. Sullivan is a liability against big nosetackles. Oh wait, Suh is coming to town on Sunday. I miss Birk, and I know he's old, but whatever. The guy could pull from the center position and didn't get lit up on drive blocking.
ReplyDeleteTwins -- keep winning baby.
Wolves -- I would like to see a picture of the season ticket materials (the glitzy packaging, or whatever). It would be cool to see who they are promoting...b/c yesterday looking into the Tcenter doors I saw a big Al Jefferson poster. Better get on that guys.
Wild -- Last night was fun going to the game, but the game itself was UG-LY. Clayton Stoner lived up to his name by being on the ice for all five GA and not the opening minute GF.
The Championship questions.
Okay first, this is essentially a lifetime question, b/c 100 years, damn. I think it depends on your age and the history. My parents who are old and have watched the Vikings blow it since '61 would take the 1 championship in an instant. If I got into my 60s, I would do the same I think. I'd probably take the constant winning, but honestly I hate both options. If you never win a championship, each season is disappointing b/c of the playoff loss. If you lose all the time, it sucks then too.
The next 60 years? I think this is basically a guess and no one has any better idea. 60 years is like at least 6 full generations of players. I mean, we don't even have a pro sports franchise that old in-state. Given our history, with 100 combined twins/vikes years another 43-ish in Hockey, and 20 in basketball post-Mpls Lakers, that gives us 2 titles in 180 seasons. Assuming four teams over the next 60 years, that number extrapolates to something like 2.8 so the #'s say 3.
Thinking a little deeper, the Twins have been to 3 WS, won 2. The Vikings 0-4, with several other excellent chances. The North Stars had our only two legit cup shots and lost both. The T'Wolves I'll give them their one '04 season. That's something like 13-14 opportunities, and 2 titles. Assuming the same # of opportunities (which should escalate due to maturation with the Wild and the extra hockey/basketball seasons) I'll say we get 20 legit chances in the next 60 years (240 seasons). Of the 20, we probably play for a title 10 or so times. Of that 10, maybe we win half.
I'll say 5.
And if you said zero, that would be great. Emotional, perhaps, but a definite 'take a stand' answer. I tried playing the %'s mostly.
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