All the Negativity thats in this town Sucks! (Mankato Edition)

The Vikings are done, Timberwolves are horrible, and the Wild are treading water. If you're waiting for those three to come walking through the door with a championship you're going to get grey and old.

Rick Pitino had it right. Stop worrying about what you don't have and look at what you do have.

Minnesota State's mens basketball team is 17-1 is atop the NSIC, and is the 5th ranked DII basketball team in the country.

Coach Matt Margenthaler, now in his 8th season, has continued his tradition of putting a exciting basketball team on the floor.

Minnesota State never seems to re-build, just reload. Players like Jefferson Mason, Travis Nelson, Jermaine Davis, and Jesse Clark, may not be household names, but they bring the tempo, and excitement that fans crave without the price tag they don't.

Also don't forget MSU's Women's Basketball Team. I have only three words to describe them: Defending, National, Champions.

This weekend the Mavericks take on Bemidji State on Friday and the Univeristy of Minnesota - Duluth on Saturday with both womens games starting at 6:00pm, Men at 8:00pm.

Check out more at www.msumavericks.com

Mankato sports fans, don't stay negative about what you don't have. Go down to the Taylor Center this weekend and cheer on what you do.

Outside of Mankato: you have pockets of positivity to hold on to as well. You just need to look for it, even if its a local high school team.

You betcha Minnesota Signed Thom-Eh.

Minnesota signs another aging veteran as Jim Thome agrees to a 1 year deal.

Pieces are in place?

Well, it certainly hedges the Twins bets that Delmon Young's bat will heat up and stay consistent. The low price tag of the deal makes it a no brainer. Thome will be making less than 1/2 of Nick Punto's salary.

Thome, who provides a solid bat against right handed pitching, also relieves the Twins right handed pitching of having to face him. Thome who is 12th on the all-time home run list (564) has hit 57 of those round-trippers off of Minnesota pitching, most of any other team in his career.

Some fans are scoffing at signing another aging player at the end of their career. But most of them will admit this isn't the Rondell White's, or Brett Boone's that have played that role for the Twins in recent history. And Unlike those previous players, (White and Boone), Thome has continued to produce after the MLB's crackdown on steroids.

The Twins are obviously excited about bringing Thome to Target field at a reasonable price. They've already implemented a Thome ticket deal, for 8 bucks you get a seat, the only catch is you have to move 1 section over when Thome comes to bat.

Despite this good signing, it only leads Twins fans to ask, when are we going to get to the one that really matters? When are we going to sign Mauer? The speculation continues to be an announcement at Twins-Fest. We'll just have to wait and see if they'll roll the stone away and announce he will be siteth in the right dugout Target Field almighty after this season.

The "Mission Miami" turns to "Target: Home Field Advantage"

I had the opportunity to attend the Twins Winter Caravan last night. Aside from the Video promo, left over dome dogs, and canned questions to 'B' list Twins Players, the Caravan served a more valuable purpose. As a hope re-filling station.

Attendees, before arriving, likely pulled out and dusted off their favorite Twins clothing as they tucked their Vikings wear to the back of the closet for a 6 month hibernation. Perhaps their Favre Jerseys for good.

Conversations about football, fumbles, Favre and F-Bombs, turned to baseball, Bert, and blue skies. The hot dogs, chips and pop filled their stomaches, while talk of outdoor baseball re-filled their hopes.

Like an amusement park, we've just gotten off an up and down roller coaster, feel a little sick to our stomach, but run to get in line for the next one. I'm not sure if this 2010 Twins ride will have more ups than downs, but if the Vikings have taught us anything, its just to enjoy the ride.

Brett's career Favre from over?

Out of all the things being talked about after the Vikings loss this past Sunday:

"Why did we throw there?" "Is AP ever going to hold onto the ball? "

One thing seems constant on everyones mind. "Well Favre come back? We need him back."

No one can argue against the fact that statistically he had an amazing season.

4202 Passing yards, 33 TD's, only 7 Int's

Favre is easily the most efficient passer the Vikings have seen since Dante Culpepper had close to the same numbers (3937 Passing yards 33 TD's and 16Int's) in 2000. A season that also resulted in a NFC Championship Loss. (The infamous 41-0 loss to the NY Giants)

Aside from the stats, Brett seemed to find a locker room and offensive scheme that he connected with. Anyone that has seen the human interest pieces that ESPN or Fox did throughout the season, showed how Brett has taken players like Harvin and Rice under his wing, elevating their game higher.

Very few signs exist as to Brett's plans on 2010, they are wishy washy at best. Former Packer teammate and Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell has said that Brett has had a lot of fun this season, and that he likely made up his mind to come back months ago. Though the words "Brett" and "made up his mined" would cause most to chuckle in skepticism.

I also saw on the ESPN crawler this morning that a Favre return is "very unlikely." Then again ESPN has gotten it wrong before. (See: Ed Warder).

The only thing we can all say with confidence is.....we don't know. Despite that, I'm still looking at this next season with cautious optimism.

Playing Ketchup

This has been bothering me for some time now and now that I've started writing/ranting again, it needs to be addressed.

Why do I have to ASK for Ketchup when going through a drive through. They used to just throw a few packets in the bag. Never enough, but at least something.

They put ketchup inside the restaurant. Why? Because they obviously understand that it is the national condiment of choice for burgers and fries!

Even when you ask, they give you 2 packets wouldn't cover 4 fries. So you ask for more and you get a look like they're about to call the pit boss because you're cheating them out of precious ketchup.

Knowing this dilemma do I always remember to ask for my packets?

No! I drive away, forgetting to ask, because I'm in a hurry (hence the drive through)

I guess this is good enough reason as any to stop going to fast food places.

Trade AP?

Ok before all Vikings fans throw me off the bandwagon (too late, jumped off seconds before the loss) hear me out. Also please understand I've had this take before the season started. Its not a knee jerk reaction to Sunday.

Take a look at all the major running teams in the this year NFL. Jets, Bungles, Titans, Vikings until mid season. They can put up a winning regular season, but when stacked up to a good passing team in the playoffs, they're overmatched, even with a good defense (in the case of the Jets).

Yeah I get his stats 18 TD's and 1300 yards.

Im sure 1/2 of those TD's could have been handed to pat williams on the goal line instead and have him roll into the end zone. Doesn't mean he is a good runner. Now lets subtract the TD's and yards given up after an AP Fumble. The Numbers fail to be as impressive.

We will be short 1 hall of fame after next year (if he even comes back for a 2nd). Why not trade AP while his stock his high enough to demand a good QB?

Recent history has shown a efficient passing offense is a winning team.

Twins Water Park, No Splashing!

With my focus now set on Target Field and the Twins (in that order) I can't help but wonder why the Twins, year after year continue to NOT sign a big name free agent. The state invests tax payer $ into a building to make the Twins more revenue. They can at least make an effort to improve the product. Honestly, I challenge anyone to name a big name Free agent that they have wooed away from another team?

Perhaps they don't realize that even if the lakes are frozen, you CAN still make a big free agent splash. At least stop dicking around with Mauer and get him signed....NOW.

Give and Take

As made the walk from my office, bitter cold wind blowing snow directly into my face and eyes, I thought back on all the things I like that were taken from me this weekend.

Friday night we said goodbye to Conan O'Brien and his run on the tonight show. Recently taking a job that allows me to stay up past 6pm, I've rediscovered my love for late night TV, only to have it taken from me a couple of months later. I'm now stuck with Leno again, who I'm certain owns more cars than has written funny jokes.

Saturday. My day off from most everything. My only responsibility was to produce a basketball game later that night. I was lucky enough to not only wake up with a headache but an upset stomach. I ended up spending the rest of the day doing shots of store brand pepto and generic tylenol (hey I'm on a budget here). I did feel well enough to get to the radio station, where I got to listen to the only college basketball team I give a damn about have their undefeated streak snapped.

Sunday. The Vikings game, though exciting throughout, ended in disappointment. The conclusion of that game took away my Vikings season, Super Bowl hopes, probably Brett Favre, and a good nights sleep all at once. I ended up staying up watching a movie, a few Hero's and Lost episodes finally falling asleep around 5am.

This morning I was woken at 6am to my alarm and meandered through my daily routine. Walked to my car to warm it up, noticing the door cracked open. It happens from time to time, my seat belt gets caught in the door stopping it from closing all the way. I opened it up to see the tray to my center console tray had been removed completely and was missing, along with its contents of about 1.78 in change. Other than that, nothing else missing. Well except my sense of security that we live an a safe neighborhood.

With my eyes watering from the wind and snow, I finally made it to the building, reminded life is full of give and take. Even if what you're given is a renewed sense of pessimism.