The Wild are done in the playoffs this year, the Vikings are still a disgrace to Norwegians and Minnesotans, the Timberwolves aren’t in the playoffs again and two of the major sports programs at the University of Minnesota has suffered enough over the past couple of years that they changed their coaches. The seeming bright spot in the Minnesota sports landscape, the Twins, still have Sidney Ponson on the roster. Usually, I would spend a great deal of time bellyaching about the sorry state of sports, but it’s Spring, and I have a cheery outlook on life. Sports are supposed to be fun! Let’s look instead at 5 people and groups that make Minnesota sports special, and reasons we should feel lucky.
5. Joe Mauer – Joe Mauer, the kid from Cretin who could do everything coming out of high school and turned down a football scholarship to powerhouse Florida State to play baseball. He came up with the Twins and doesn’t show any signs of wanting to ever leave Minnesota. He’s clean cut and people generally like him around town. He’s made friends in the clubhouse and seems to be a special ingredient in the glue that holds the team together. As years go by, no doubt he’ll move up this list.
4. Mark Rosen – Rosen may not be the best sports guy in the world, but he definitely fits in here in the Twin Cities. There are a couple of snide newspaper columnists, but most in the area take after Rosen’s approach to sports reporting. When he gives his opinions, they aren’t typically ostentatious, and he isn’t calling attention to himself. Whenever a scandal breaks, other markets may overwhelm the athletes involved and provide sweeping condemnation, but Rosen and the rest of his ilk generally reserve judgement and merely offer gentle scolding rather than a know-it-all opinion. Just watch Around The Horn once to see how lucky we have it.
3. Hockey Fans – In the 90’s, Norm f’ing Green thought it would be a good idea to expand the NHL markets to the south, and moved the North Stars to Dallas. Instead of giving up on hockey, Minnesotans continued to strive for another team, and a new arena. Without the pros to watch, they turned to the amateur rinks, filling arenas in St. Cloud, Mankato, Duluth and in Minnesota, while developing rivalries with each other, and nearby, well funded opponents like North Dakota and Wisconsin. When the Wild returned and sold out every game, a funny thing happened on campuses across the state. Nothing! Hockey fans continued to fill the arenas statewide, even for the less talented teams. And don’t even get me started on the importance of the high school tournaments.
2. Kent Hrbek – Herbie’s playing style is best described as like an out of shape Mark Grace. He was an important member of two World Series teams, but never the star. That was always reserved for Kirby Puckett. He was always a character, easy to interview, easier to like, and that easygoing personality translated into a TV show on the local NBC affiliate. Not only was Hrbek a bright spot in the world of Minnesota baseball, but his influence is being spread to the outdoor sports. Really, the only flaw Hrbek has these days is that still elusive vowel for his last name.
1. Kevin Garnett – For the most part, this entire list is made up of people born and raised in Minnesota. Imagine, then, a high school kid with a huge ego getting drafted into the NBA. Now imagine that kid becoming a superstar and inking a huge deal. In most situations, the kid would slow down a bit, already reaching his payday. Not this guy. He’s continued to perform at a high level. Now, imagine his team crumbling around him, and he still doesn’t have a championship. He’d demand a trade, right? Not this guy. Admittedly, I’m not a fan of the NBA, but Kevin Garnett is one of my favorite athletes, just because he exudes all those characteristics that the sports world craves. Loyalty and a strong work ethic are just two of them. If more athletes had the character Garnett does, the sports world would be a much better place. It’s incredible that the talking heads of the world are so confused by his selfless actions.
So there you go Minnesota. Embrace those bright spots here in our hometown.
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