I’m playing a football simulator called Second and Ten. I love sports history and I love sports statistics, so I enjoy replaying old seasons as the coach of various teams or dynasties. For example, I plan to play every season of Dan Marino’s career and will try to get him that Super Bowl. I’m also from Minnesota, so I plan to play every season of the Vikings and try to do the same. Whenever I finish a season, I will recap it here. However, since talking about video game scores is right up there with talking about your fantasy teams and your bad beats in poker, I’m going to do things a little differently. You, dear reader, will get to play along, Choose Your Own Adventure style.
Team: Twins vs. White Sox Date: September 25, 2008 Announcer: Dick Bremer
In 2008, with six games left in the season, the Twins were behind the White Sox by two and a half games. Fortunately, their last six games were at home, with three against the Sox. They won the first two games of the series to keep their season alive, and one more win against the Sox would put them in first place.
Game: Twins vs. Braves (1991 World Series, Game 7) Date: October 27, 1991 Announcer: Jack Buck
I had recently turned 11 when this game occurred, and no doubt this game was just as crazy as game 163 in 2009. But at age 11 I’m not sure I had the capacity to feel as anxious as I do as an adult. Still, I do remember being on the edge of my seat all night.
Game: Twins vs. Cardinals (World Series Game 6) Date: October 24, 1987 Announcer: Al Michaels
I love Michaels. He’s not an analyst by any means; his knowledge of all sports seems fairly mediocre. But he can call what he sees. Certainly better than most anyone else the past 20 World Series.
For the longest time, I thought that Hrbek won game six for the Twins. As it turns out, the REALLY big hit came from Don Baylor the inning before, and the game-winning RBI went to Steve Lombardozzi. But one could argue that Hrbek guaranteed the victory.
Game: Twins vs. Angels Date: April 17, 2009 Announcer: Dick Bremer
Little did we know in April how important this comeback would be for the final standings. The Twins had not been a high-scoring team in recent years, and when they blew a lead and fell down 8-3 in the 7th, you just figured it was over. Down 9-4 in the 8th, they rallied for 3 runs and had two men out with two out. Morneau was intentionally walked to bring in Jason Kubel. Kubel had already hit a single, double, and a triple at this point in the game. Why, wouldn’t it be poetic if he finished off the Twins comeback by hitting a home run?
Game: Twins vs. Braves (Game 6, World Series) Date: October 26, 1991 Announcer: Jack Buck (TV), John Gordon (Radio)
This is perhaps the most memorable call in the history of Minnesota sports. Walk-off homers tend to get more replay over the years, and Kirby Puckett is a beloved hall-of-famer. It’s not my favorite call, though it’s close.
Game: Twins vs. White Sox Date: August 17, 2010 Announcer: Dick Bremer
So I have a close friend who was Jim Thome’s biggest fan. He would bring Thome signs to Twins games, and would always root for the Indians against his hometown team. He desperately wanted the Twins to sign Thome in 2003, but he went to Philadelphia. He desperately wanted the Twins to sign Thome in 2006, but he went to Chicago. And then the Twins got him when they usually get superstars, when they’re old and crippled.
Game: Vikings vs. 49ers Date: September 27, 2009 Announcer: Paul Allen
I grew up a big Brett Favre fan. For my 7th grade picture, I’m wearing a Favre shirt. I was one of those rare people who rooted for both the Vikings and the Packers. So when Favre came to the Vikings, I found myself rooting for them for the first time since 2000. I wasn’t disappointed.
Death By Troggles 
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