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No love lost, there’s plenty to do [UPDATED]
Published 9:47am Monday, October 22, 2012 Updated 11:50am Monday, October 22, 2012There’s a radio announcer in the Twin Cities who uses the phrase “Sports, sports, sports, all we ever think about is sports” to describe those who live and die by the outcomes of games played by Minnesota’s major college and professional sports teams.
On Thursday, those fans’ hearts sunk big time when they heard that Timberwolves all-star forward Kevin Love broke two bones in his hand and will be out six to eight weeks. Compound that with a torn ACL in the leg of Ricky Rubio, and the Wolves — considered the most promising team among a disappointing group of professional sports teams — will be without their two best players for the first quarter of the season.
So much for the idea that fans would enjoy a season of playoff-caliber basketball to bring back spirits.
My initial disappointment over the probability another losing Wolves season was quickly tempered.
Mostly because, between the job and the family and the house and other activities, I’m plenty busy.
The fact is, I should have been disappointed in the fact that the Minnesota Twins just finished their second consecutive season with the worst record in the American League (66-96).
I wasn’t. In fact, I used the time spent watching Twins games on television or attending them on other things.
I didn’t keep a ledger, but I’m certain that the majority of that time was used on golfing, fishing, swimming, running, biking and hanging out at the lake, among other activities.
Winter is a little harder, simply because the lure of going outside isn’t there when it’s 20-below zero with nasty winds.
But still, there’s plenty to do — cross country skiing, hockey, ice fishing, basketball, racquetball and bowling among the many activities.
The nice thing about those activities is that, for the most part, you control the outcome.
Like it or not, my ability to bowl, ice fish, hit that racquetball ball and handle the puck will determine how well I do at those activities.
I’m not relying on Adrian Peterson, Kevin Love or Joe Mauer for my happiness or disappointment.
Sure, it’s fun to watch professional sports teams when they win. But it just isn’t when they lose consistently. Diehard sports fans will call me a fair-weather fan. But the fact is, I have better things to do with my time than to watch a bunch of millionaire players lose games.
Besides, it’s hard to get your heart rate up with your rear end on the couch.
Joel Myhre is The Journal’s publisher. Email him at joel.myhre@fergusfallsjournal.com
