So is it better to root for a team that is perenially awful, and extinguishes all hope early on, or one that consistently contends, only to fall short of it's goal?
I know how a Kansas City Royals fan would answer that question, they would resounding opt for the latter, and most likely call me a spoiled fool for even asking the question. But the day after another poor swing through the AL East for the Minnesota Twins, I'm left with one overwhelming thought: What's the point?
Every year my team competes for the AL Central title, and every year they fail to beat the teams they need to, if they hope to accomplish something more than a first-round playoff exit. The latest chapter in this story was a 2-5 roadtrip through New York, Toronto and Boston, completed last night in ugly fashion, which left Twins fans to ponder if their cute little team is ever going to do anything. We thought we had some pitching, we thought we had a lot of hitting, we thought we were a force to be reckoned with in the American League this season; at the moment, it appears we thought wrong.
Breakdowns in every phase of the game have been a staple whenever the Twins take on a squad from baseball's best division, and this season has been no exception so far. After the formerly dominant Francisco Liriano got rocked around Fenway last night (the last in a string of pedestrian outings) and the offense failed to muster much of anything for the third game in a row, it would be tough to argue that this Twins team would do anything other than battle Baltimore for the cellar if moved into this division. Part of the problem is talent, part of it is attitude, who knows what portion of each is the perfect recipe for failure? The only thing we do know for sure is that the Twins have perfected that recipe, and whip up a big batch every time they hop on a plane pointed eastward.
It can be pointed out that one roadtrip does not a season make, that sitting 7 games over .500 in a first-palce tie is an enviable position, and that May is no time to panic, but I say nuts to that. Unfortunately this team is a product of it's own success and aggressive offseason moves, expectations have been raised accordingly. Another division title followed by another 3-game thumping from one of the big kids just can't be viewed as a success, at least not if you're goal is to win a title.
So while there are many games yet to play, and rough stretches are an inevitably part of the game, it's hard to not be discouraged after watching this mostly non-competitive stretch of baseball. Odd as it sounds, this wouldn't be nearly as hard to take had it come from a division foe, rather than the teams that must be bested in October if something truly unique is going to happen. With 120+ games left, nothing is broken beyond repair, but at the moment it's difficult to muster much enthusiasm. The future will bring highs, lows and very likely another division title, which would be great if I was a Royals fan, but is leaving me a bit cold in the meantime. I guess what I'm saying is, please allow me a moment to be bitter.
And now let's go beat the Brewers.
Pat, with this attitude, will it ever be possible for you to enjoy a regular season? I know you are an up and down guy, and one game out of 162 can send you from feast to famine. But, you started the season with a rousing tribute to the sport and the fun of the season, but it already seems like you have lost that enjoyment. I am as worried as you about the playoffs, and the last thing I want is for this franchise, the one in town that exceeds our expectations from time to time, to turn into a team like the Vikings, always getting close, never quite doing it (of course, with two WS Titles in my lifetime, it would be impossible for them to do that because as you say, hardware lasts, but I digress...).
ReplyDeleteWe got the first one against the Brewers, now let's go get another one today.
P.S. The Gopher baseball team was rained out, but the Michigan loss guaranteed us a Big Ten Championship and the one-seed in next weekends Big Ten tournament. Go Gophers!!!