My Sports Holiday Wish List: 12 Days Of A Minnesota Sports Fan Christmas
When I attended Duluth East High School from the Fall of 1993 to the Spring of 1997, I helped start a boisterous group called “The Superfans.”
We may have lacked creativity in naming ourselves, as we stole it directly from the “Saturday Night Live” sketch noted for its extreme adoration of the Chicago Bears. Yet, we redeemed our failure in originality by having unique theme nights, costumes, chants, and overall exuberance for our fellow Greyhounds and their athletic endeavors. The only time I wasn’t going crazy in the stands at a game, was when I was a student manager -- either for cross-country running or basketball.
Everything about that time in my life was a blast. I look back on it fondly, and still communicate with almost everyone who participated in that group over (gulp) 25 years ago. The athletes and coaches we supported are also who I call “forever friends.” I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Even if some of that fun came with a tremendous loss.
I chose to be in choir for three of my four high school years, and most of that experience was fun. I enjoy music. I loved the people. I just didn’t obsess over choir to the same level as my classmates.
Want proof I was more concerned about sports? I passed on an opportunity to tour Europe with (a cappella) choir my junior year because it conflicted with our high school basketball schedule. Let me say again: I was the student manager. I think water bottles, scorebooks, and shot charts would have survived without my presence.
That’s not the loss I’m referencing. I have zero regrets and I’ll never know if my classmates or choir director got angry that I didn’t join that trip. However, my director was right about one thing he told me repeatedly during those years.
“All that yelling and screaming you do at games will eventually ruin your voice,” he insisted on at least a weekly basis.
Now you’d think someone who has a radio show, does play-by-play of about 40 games a year, and a public address of roughly another 100, would have the last laugh. My broadcasting voice is just fine – but I can hardly sing a note anymore.
I’m not saying I’ll conjure up memories of Roseanne, Carl Lewis, or Fergie, attempting the National Anthem. I’m just saying you probably won’t ask me to go caroling with you this holiday season.
On that note (see what I did there), I’ll write for you what I hope will be the latest smash hit in holiday music. I’ll leave the singing up to you, but to make it work best, use the tune from “The 12 Days of Christmas” – and remember that I’m a huge fan of each of Minnesota’s professional teams. Here is my holiday wish list they can help with.
On the first day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: a World Championship trophy.
On the second day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the third day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me (big crescendo): five innings from a starter!
Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: six full months of Buxton, five innings from a starter! Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: seven decent draft picks, six full months of Buxton, five innings from a starter! Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: eight-figure signings, seven decent draft picks, six full months of Buxton, five innings from a starter! Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: nine-inning nail-downs, eight-figure signings, seven decent draft picks, six months of Buxton, five innings from a starter! Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: 10 rebounds from Rudy, nine-inning nail-downs, eight-figure signings, seven decent draft picks, six months of Buxton, five innings from a starter! Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: 11 smart defenders, 10 rebounds from Rudy, nine-inning nail-downs, eight-figure signings, seven decent draft picks, six months of Buxton, five innings from a starter! Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my pro sports teams gave to me: 12 still ruining Green Bay, 11 smart defenders, 10 rebounds from Rudy, nine-inning nail-downs, eight-figure signings, seven decent draft picks, six months of Buxton, five innings from a starter! Four playoff wins, three and out stops, two goal scorers, and a World Championship trophy.
Take a bow, you made it. I know your pitch was perfect. Mine wouldn’t have been vocally, but will any Minnesota teams listen to my “pitch?”
A reminder - I’ll talk to you Sunday this week instead of Saturday (despite what it says below). Stay safe out there.
Brian's show, 'The Northland Sports Page', can be heard Saturdays from 10 am to noon on the FAN 106.5 FM/560 AM. You can catch previous episodes on the Northland FAN On-Demand area of our website or on our mobile app.