10. The Minnesota Timberwolves become relevant again - For about a decade, the only reason to watch the T-Wolves was a player named Kevin Garnett. The 6 foot 11 inch forward had a presence on the court that was worth paying admission to watch. He dominated the game. I was glued to the tube in 2004 when Garnett, Latrell Sprewell (famous for choking one of his coaches) and Sam Cassell (famous for having a head shaped like an alien) made a deep playoff run. Since Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics I have not watched a single NBA game from start to finish. Shocking, I know. I've never been a huge NBA basketball fan, but a decent team to follow would make it more interesting.
9. Minnesota Wild win the Stanley Cup - I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a terribly invested hockey fan. In fact, I'm probably the definition of a "bandwagon" fan. Sue me. I catch a few games throughout the year and I start watching the NHL regularly only when the playoffs begin. Even then, I whine and complain about the playoffs lasting into the summer months. Nevertheless, the Stanley Cup is still the coolest trophy in all of sports and it would be great to watch a Minnesota team hoist it.
8. Spring Training in Arizona - A few years back, I got a chance to see the Minnesota Twins play the Boston Red Sox in Spring Training in Florida. My life basically hasn't been the same since. A dose of sunshine and baseball in late February and early March - what could be better? Going from red wine and cheese to beer and hotdogs with a side of suntan lotion?! My god, I'm salivating just thinking about it.
7. The World Baseball Classic - This international baseball tournament first took place three years ago. My Grandfather (the year before he died), my Dad and I all got really into it. I happened to be home in Red Wing during the tournament and some of my last days with my Grandfather - who had become ill - were watching the tourny, munching on popcorn and drinking beer. Ultimately, Japan defeated Cuba in the championship game. I would love to watch a game in person next year when the tournament returns.
6. I get a chance to play basketball against Barack Obama. NO! H-O-R-S-E. I want to challenge Obama to a game of horse. What can I say, the guy would no doubt kick my ass - but the commemorative DVD that the White House would give to me as a gift would make it all worthwhile.
6b. The Minnesota Golden Gophers win the NCAA basketball tournament (without any subsequent major academic scandals surfacing).
5. The Olympics in Chicago in 2016 - The city of Chicago is up for the 2016 Olympics. While I tend to be much, much more interested in the winter olympics than the summer olympics, watching them take place in Chicago would be a huge treat.
4. Minnesota Twins win another World Series in their new ballpark - When I was six years old, the Minnesota Twins won the World Series. So technically, then, this is an event that has happened in my lifetime. Unfortunately, my life has pretty much all gone downhill since that point. After the Twinkies open up a new ballpark in 2010 - I would love to see them do it again. Give their young pitching rotation a year or two to mature and these guys have a shot.
3. Minnesota Vikings win the Super Bowl - Every year, I hype myself into thinking that the Vikes are going to be good this year. Since the Randy Moss years, however, the Vikings have been middling at best. I make time to watch every weekend, however, so I'm certainly more than a casual fan. Three years ago, the Vikings became almost unbearable to watch. Then, after the defense was finally able to turn it around, the team drafted rookie sensation Adrian Peterson. Peterson has quickly become
2. California Golden Bears go to the Rose Bowl - unlike many of the other sports occurrences I am hoping for in my lifetime, a trip to the Rose Bowl would make me happy regardless of the outcome. Watching a college football game on New Year's Day with great interest, being a part of the Rose Bowl, being arrested in Pasadena for drunk and disorderly conduct - none of these things I've been lucky enough to do. The last time the Bears went to the Rose Bowl was 1959. The last time they won was 1938.
2b. Minnesota Golden Gophers go to the Rose Bowl - see ramblings above. Oh, and the last time Goldy made it to the Rose Bowl was 1962 (they defeated UCLA).
1. Chicago Cubs win the World Series - In the summer of 1997, my family and I moved from the city where I was born, St. Paul, to the town where I grew up, Red Wing. I spent the summer rollerblading - yes, rollerblading - and wishing I had friends. After a couple of days of banal teenage angst, I discovered the Chicago Cubs on WGN. A few years later, I moved to Chicago and spent most of my off days at Wrigley Field. After a nearly a couple of years living on and off in Chicago, I was firmly hooked. I now follow the Cubs with interest every year - this year probably more than ever. It has been 100 years since the Cubs last won the World Series. Just getting to the Fall Classic is a feat they haven't accomplished since 1945. These guys find a new way to break your heart every year. This year offers more than a few reasons to get excited - but don't hold your breath!
If all of these ten things happen in my lifetime, I could die a happy man. I better putin my request to Obama's people now.
Things noted here and there:
I'll have an upcoming post focus on baseball divisional championship gear later this week. The Angles have already clinched the AL West and the Cubs are on their way to . . . well, I won't say it. Here is what the Cubs divisional championship hat looked like last year. I might end up snagging a Majestic 2008 Central Division Champs t-shirt if it winds up happening.
I think I'm in love with this 1939 Chattanooga Lookouts jersey. This style of crushed hat from The Franchise has really grown on me. Finally, this Montreal Royals jacket would make me look awesome. Just sayin'.
