Minnesota Sports

What does it mean to be a Minnesota sports fan? Disappointment? Sometimes. Am I disappointed that the Twins lost in the first round of the playoffs? Yes. But on the other hand, back in June, if I had been told they would win the AL Central, I would have said "Bull!" But somehow things turned around and they gave us one fun ride. Consider what the Twins went through this year: a potential rookie of the year with a season ending injury, a franchise pitcher with a career ending injury and oh yeah, the face of the franchise from 1984-1995 passing away from a stroke. So where does this loss rank in the heartache of a Minnesota sports fan? Not even on the radar, I can think of at least ten worse moments (note: the Vikings are the center point of disappoint):
10. The Vikings had control of the 1989 divisional playoff game verses the 49ers. Steve Young went back to pass and was sacked, except he really wasn't, he proceded to evade each individual Viking defender and run for a 51 yard TD. The 49ers went on to win the game.
9. The Golden Gophers, the who???
8. 1996 Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers: Any time Green Bay wins, it is a disappointment in Viking Nation.
7. UMD Bulldogs losing a 4-0 lead to Denver University in the 3rd period of the 2004 Frozen Four.
6. NO! NO! NO! AND THE CARDINALS HAVE KNOCKED THE VIKINGS OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS!!!!! (Paul Allen, KFAN Radio, St. Paul, MN): After a 6-0 start in 2003, the Vikings failed to beat the NFL's worst team in the final game of the year to make the playoffs.
5. Norm Green moving the Minnesota North Stars from Minnesota, the state of hockey, to Dallas. Dallas doesn't deserve a team that cool.
4. The Vikings down 17-10 and the ball on the two yard line with time for one last play in the 1988 NFC Championship. We attempted a quick out to Darrin Nelson, who was tackled on the one yard line and time ran out.
3. Neal Broten missing an open net which would have tied Game 6 against the Pittsburg Penguins in the 1992 Stanley Cup.
2. Giants 41, Vikings 0: After a game opening kick return and another touchdown shortly thereafter, the writing was on the wall.
1. Gary Anderson, need I say more? No. Am I going to? Yes. The proverbial "where were you" in Minnesota sports. Ask any Viking fan where he was and he'll remember every little detail right down to the exact order of cuss words that flew out of his mouth.

So while I have torn my clothes, put on sack cloth and mourned over this latest disappointment in Minnesota Sports, I can hold my head up for there are many other things that will come our way to tick us off. But tonight, the day after, we lift our heads, for a new season has dawned. As they say in Minnesota there are but two seasons: "Hockey season is coming and Hockey season is here. And my friends, hockey season has come and the Wild are looking good.