Target Field

The new Twins ballpark finally has a name - Target Field. The Minneapolis-based retailer signed a 25-year agreement with the Twins to put their name on the new ballpark. Financial details were not released, but I am going to go out on a limb and say it probably is not chump change. I would guess that Target will pay in the $75-$100 million range over 25 years, if not more. I have to admit that I was surprised as I thought Best Buy would end up with the naming rights. Especially since Target is already the corporate namesake of the Timberwolves arena, Target Center (obviously). I'm also a little disappointed that THE CHECK did not shell out the cash for the naming rights so the ballpark could be called THE CHECK.

In a perfect world, the ballpark would be named after a former player like Kirby Puckett or Harmon Killebrew. It's hard for teams to turn down the millions of dollars they receive from naming-rights, however. This is reason # 2,342 the Twins had to get out of the Metrodome - $0 in naming rights. A team cannot compete with no cash coming in for naming rights.

Target Field. I guess I like it. At least it's not Wal-Mart Field. That would be terrible. No word yet on if the Twins will change their uniforms to red tops and khaki pants.

Peace,

Jeff

Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory

As I have mentioned, if I ever was to write a book about the history of the Minnesota Vikings, that is what I'd call it. "Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory." It would be longer than War and Peace. But, I must say that I wasn't as bummed out after today's choke job for a couple of reasons. One, I fully expected it to happen. Two, I was able to Rug Doctor our carpets during the game. I always feel like I've been a little less hoodwinked by the Vikings if I accomplish something during the game.

Seriously, did any Vikings fan out there think they would pull this game out when they were up 15-0 in the 3rd Quarter? No chance. But, I am not going to talk about the usual excuses in this post. I am not going to talk about Tavarius Jackson not being competent enough to play Quarterback in the NFL. I am not going to talk about Brad Childress qualifications to be a Head Coach in the NFL or his play calling (Kick Ass Offense). I am not going to talk about Visanthe Shianco possibly being the worst Tight End I've ever seen.

I do want to mention, however, that I still would like someone to define what is "defensive pass interference" is for me. I've been watching football since the mid-1970's, and I still don't think I can define what it entails. But I digress.

I want to talk about the conversation that Patrick Ruesse and Jim Souhan had on KSTP 1500 this morning about the Vikings chances for a new stadium. Ruesse mentioned that he has had quite a few people ask him "if the Vikings will play in the Gophers new stadium while their new stadium is being built." Ruesse was rather confused as to "where, when & how" this mythical Viking stadium is being built, let alone where their temporary home will be.

That's a good point. As you know, the Vikings will be the Metrodome's last tenant as of 2010 when the Twins move into their new stadium. The Gophers will already be a year into their new outdoor stadium by that time. The Vikings are asking for a new billion dollar stadium (retractable roof) on the site of the Metrodome. Only one minor problem remains - they still do not have a financial partner. The city of Minneapolis cannot be a partner for legal reasons and Hennepin County is tapped out through financing the Twins ballpark. That leaves two "tax" options if the Vikings want to build on the Metrodome site - the seven-county metro area or the State of Minnesota. Either one would probably require a referendum.

This is going to be a tough sell considering their past history both on and off the field. I normally argue that "wins and losses" should not really be a factor when a community decides whether to build a stadium or not to retain a team. I am changing my opinion, however, when it comes to the Minnesota Vikings. Are the Vikings worth one billion dollars to keep in Minnesota? They play ten home games a year, after all. We're going to have to answer that question very soon as the team's lease expires after the 2011 season.

I have mentioned in the past that the Minnesota Vikings have provided much anguish to me over the decades. I hope you all realize that I use the word "anguish" with humor. I understand that this is entertainment. It's a game. I spent a lot of my personal time, however, trying to aid the Twins quest for a new ballpark by writing letters, contacting politicians, speaking in front of the Hennepin County Commissioners. I really felt that the Twins were a community asset worth retaining. That will not be the case with the Vikings stadium quest. My official position on the Vikings stadium remains:

"I believe my weekends and quality of life will actually improve if the Vikings leave Minnesota."

My money stays with the Twins. So, good luck Zygi. I hear Los Angeles is nice in the fall.

Jeff

Blast From the Past #1 - The Church

I've been watching quite a few music videos on You Tube lately, and some are really bringing back memories. Nothing can bring a person back to a time and place from the past like music. I've decided to share these occasionally as "Blasts From the Past."

The first BFTP is from the Australian band The Church. Back in THE DAY (mid-80's) I listened to these guys quite a bit. They were a heavy staple at 136 Chippewa St. during The University of Leinenkugels days. In fact, I believe they even played at UWEC in 1984. This is one of the band's first songs from around 1982 called "The Ungaurded Moment." Check out the drummers hair!

Listening to The Church harkens me back to those college days, and provides a pretty strong mental image of The Doctor of Love, Marty (The Bitch) Banker, Ronnie-San, Jon, Jase, The Weeg, Troyvis and the rest of the gang playing hacky-sack outside amidst the empty beer bottles. Couch on the front lawn, porch-door permanently swung open.

Good times, indeed. Enjoy.

Jeff

...And the Song Remains the Same.

The misery involved with being a Minnesota Vikings fan is virtually incalculable. The different ways they find to lose football games is bordering on astonishing. I am glad that I am continually losing interest on a yearly basis, otherwise I would end up in a rubber room. Brad Childress is now 0-5 to the arch-rival Packers. Here are some thoughts on TONIGHT's 24-19 loss to Green Bay:

1. Absolutely nothing has changed with this team. Untimely penalties. Bad play-calling. Bad tackling. The inability to convert when the game is on the line. Absolutely nothing has changed.

2. Speaking of penalties, this is what kills me with football. There were well over 20 penalties called tonight. Over 20 frickin' penalties. Touchdowns called back, first downs nullified. Most are totally subjective. NFL referees could call holding on every play if they wanted to. And it's anti-climactic. This would be like calling back home runs in baseball because the guy on-deck was "standing out of the on deck circle."

3. Speaking of penalties, can somebody please define pass interference for me? Apparently, a defensive player can hammer a receiver or pull him down before the pass is caught and this is NOT pass interference. BUT, if a defensive player "nudges" the receiver along the sideline, THIS is pass interference. Totally subjective. And the "challenge" rule hasn't really helped. This simply gives refs the opportunity to blow calls AFTER seeing the replay.

4. If Tony Cornheiser said one more time that Aaron Rodgers "looked like Brett Favre" when he completed a pass, I would have smashed my television.

5. The. Offensive. Line. Was. Terrible. Thanks Bryant McKinnie! Hope you had fun at South Beach!

6. T-Jack. I don't know, man. Granted, he was running for his life most of the game (see #5). But, I just don't know.

7. Aaron Rodgers gets to keep his house from not getting torched for one more week.

8. I have to ask Viking fans out there one question: Did you really believe in your heart today that the Vikings would win this game?

9. Zygi Wilf must be going insane.

10. The Vikes next four opponents? Indy and Carolina at home, and then Tennessee and New Orleans on the road. That's a possible 0-5.

Good thing I'm losing interest.

Jeff

Sunday Notes

Here's what is going on today:

1. Vikings bring in Jerry Burns for a team pep talk. From today's Star Tribune. I love Adrian Peterson's quote at the end of the story:

Vikings coach Brad Childress invited former coach Jerry Burns to address the team after practice Saturday. It's the second consecutive season that Burns talked to the team before a Packers game.

"He just addressed the rivalry," Childress said. "He talked more about the mental aspects of the game today more than anything with our crowd. As you guys would know, in his own inimitable way. It's different than having a guest speaker. He's coached. That's huge."

Said Peterson: "He's so fired up. It gets you going. A lot of cuss words."

2. Twins 5-9 road trip and bullpen woes. This just in - the Twins bullpen is in a slump. And the sun continues to set in the west. I expected the Twins to fade a bit this fall, but for different reasons. If you would have told me before the Twins last 14-game road trip that they would go 5-9, I would have guessed that the young starting pitchers would implode. I also had some bullpen worries due to overuse. Well, the young starting rotation did great. They continue to provide the team with 6 to 7 innings of solid pitching every game - and then the bullpen implodes. Matt Guerrier can't get anyone out. Eddie Guardado can't get anyone out. Boof Bonser never could get anyone out. And Joe Nathan blew 4 saves on the road trip, which is almost unheard of. The relief pitching was not helped by the fielding, which has been horrible. I have not seen Twins fielding perform this poorly since the days of Lenny Faedo and Huston Jimenez in the early 1980's. Historically, the Twins have been known to struggle with pitching at hitting at times, but usually not fielding.

After everything is said and done, I still give the Twins credit for being 2 1/2 games out of first place on September 7th. They have over-achieved, and they are not out of the race yet as long as the hated White Sox continue to refuse to pull away. The Twins certainly have some work to do in the off-season, however, if they want to complete again in 2009.

3. Nobody, simply nobody, looks good on a recumbent bike. I just had to add that to today's post. I don't care how good for a person's back they are. Not worth it.

That is all for now.

Jeff

Funny Video - RNC Welcoming Committee Speaks Out

"This'll shake them up at the anarchist society!"

-(P)Rick, The Young Ones

This clip is pretty funny - and really took place. Members of the RNC Welcoming Committee, a group of Anarchists (ooohhhh!), held a press conference. StarTribune.com put the best snippets on their web site for all to enjoy. (By the way, I am NOT the Jeffrey Thompson who produced this). Check it out:

http://www.startribune.com/video/27873609.html

"Finally, a world free from hatred and discrimination. GET UP NEIL, I HATE YOU!!"
-(P)Rick, The Young Ones

Better than fiction.

Jeff

How Would You Like To Be This Kid?

One day, your sitting around with your high-school buddies in Alaska. Life is good. Ridin' ATV's and dirt bikes. Chillin'. Shootin' stuff like animals and skeet. Fishin.' Campin.'

Then, the next thing you know you are on the tarmac of Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport. Girlfriend, 17 years old, is pregnant. Live international media is there. The planet knows you got her pregnant. Dad of Girlfriend, who really enjoys hunting, is there. Mom of girlfriend, who might be the next Vice-President of The United States is there. Ex-POW, and possibly the next President of The United States is there. Probably going to have to get married soon. To borrow the words of George Oscar "G.O.B." Bluth II from Arrested Development:

"I think I've make a terrible mistake."

Yep. The dudes in hell. That, my friends, is one serious cautionary tale.

Good luck.

Jeff