Coping with Minnesota Sports
Artwork: Lysander Colindres
So…
The Minnesota Twins recently lost the 2023 ALDS.
The presence of Minnesota sports teams is a weird phenomenon. We rarely live up to the hype we get, and when we see any ounce of promise, we seem to ruin it by trading players or failing to meet expectations. This is especially true in the playoffs. In the 2022-2023 season, we had nearly all of our major sports teams in the playoffs. This was a brand-new sight for most fans in Minnesota.
But the sight soon became familiar once again; every team had a first-round exit in the playoffs. Different athletes became injured, and tensions rose in our locker rooms. The Timberwolves had two players fight, and another broke their hand by punching a wall. The Vikings had a disappointing postseason, losing their first game after an incredible regular season. The Wild, I’m convinced, can’t make it past the first round anymore.
All of these teams sound like horror stories to most sports fans around the world, but for fans of Minnesota teams, this is normal. We are aware of our reputation, and we embrace it thoroughly, looking forward to success and change coming to the state. With the surprise success of the Twins recently, we now seem to have a growing fanbase for Minnesota sports. If you are one such newcomer and need to prepare for what is to come, here are the three best ways to cope with any Minnesota sports team.
“There’s always next year.”
The classic; you’ve probably heard your parents, your friends, or maybe even your teacher say it. These are four simple words that can help carry anyone through another season of mid-level performance and high-level disappointment.
“There’s always next year” is something that everyone says to help mask their fears for next season. You made no notable trades, your draft talent will probably not turn out amazing, and the team chemistry will not change the performance. There is no next year. Maybe in five years, when you get lucky with a trade, but not today.
I frequently use this phrase, primarily when my roommates like to support winning organizations in the neighboring state of Wisconsin.
The History Lesson
Back in the day, Minnesota was once home to champions. One of the most winning organizations in the world, the Los Angeles Lakers, once called Minneapolis their home and played in the structure we now know as the Armory music venue. They even won five championships in Minneapolis with Hall of Famer George Mikan. The Minnesota Twins have won two World Series, and the Minnesota Lynx remain among the greatest WNBA franchises ever, with four wins and six finals appearances.
Reminding yourself that these teams have a winning culture can be helpful, even if it has been a few years since our last championship. This tip can be effective when getting into sports arguments with friends, feeling down about a playoff loss, or lacking appearances. This is even useful for sports trivia!
The “what if?”
“What if the Vikings traded Kirk Cousins for a young, promising quarterback?” “What if the Timberwolves picked up Klay Thomspon from free agency next year?” This one is pretty simple, because it's the same “what if” scenario that can apply to any team after you notice that the roster isn’t working how you want.
These trades won't happen because we aren't the trained managers who orchestrate them, but it's fun and distracting.
Final Thoughts
While none of the above actions can change the record or fate of your team, it can help distract you. They can remind yourself that your team was once unique and already has a great legacy, or that there's always a future where new young talent can show. Trades can happen to create the winning culture you always wanted. These are just the things that helped me get through these last few years as a Minnesota fan. I’ll always love my teams and wear their logos proudly. No matter what, there's always next year.