Sid Hartman, who is not always affable, especially in his description of the sports scene and those that participate, is a legend in the Twin Cities. He is the envy of many a sports writer throughout the area and beyond. Sid knows sports and writes for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He generally doesn't pull any punches, and that makes him special to those who follow his tirades in print, on the radio and sometimes as an occasional visitor in his presence. I've had the last experience a couple of times and in a crowded pressroom, there is no question as to who Sid Hartman is or what he is thinking at the moment. Sid is Sid, and he is very special.
He was lamenting last week in his column about the apparent apathy toward the Vikings and the Gophers. Calling it appalling, he wrote, "I can't understand the negative attitude of the media and the fans toward the Vikings, who still lead the NFC North, and the Gophers football team, which went 9-3 and was competitive in every game except the 40-22 loss to Iowa."
And then Sid proceeded to defend the sports picture in Minnesota, I suspect, with a tearful handkerchief clutched in his hand. Indeed, Sid is Sid.
It is probable following last week's win, the Vikings will capture the NFC North crown and advance to the playoffs. And the Golden Gophers will be in the Wells-Fargo Sun Bowl game in El Paso on News Year's Eve Day. So all is not gloom and doom in the North Star state and the question begs to be answered, what is wrong and why is Sid wringing the towel with such fervor?
In the case of the Vikings, they have been to the Super Bowl a couple of times only to lose each time. They brought a 15-1 record into the playoffs five years back, but couldn't put it together in the big one before a worldwide audience. In fact, they really looked terrible if you recall. I'm not so sure, however, that is the problem with attendance in recent years. I suspect other issues have taken hold of the fans, and it isn't pretty.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some of the off-field antics of too many of our professional players are disgraceful. Some people earning millions of dollars act like fools when they have an obligation to themselves and their fans to take the high road. And then it is totally crazy for a young father or mother to spend over $100 to take his son or daughter to a Viking game, sit in the end zone, miles from the action, eat a cold hot dog and expect to be pleased with the experience.
Now, the Vikings want a new stadium, the Twins are not happy either and want a new stadium and, of course, the Gophers want nothing to do with either of the professional teams and also want a new stadium. Organizing the real estate purchases, setting up the financing and then building these multi-million dollar money machines is going to take some doing, especially during times of uncertainty in our country. I suspect the general public is more than weary of all this effort and has already made a decision to watch football in the comfort of their own living rooms rather than fight the traffic and crowds.
In the case of the Gophers, I still remember going to games in the old Memorial Stadium. No doubt a few thousands bucks would have kept that facility in a modern mode.
One thing I do know, Minnesota fans are not as radical as some Wisconsin fans. Do you remember when Proctor's Danny Devine was the coach of the Green Bay Packers? Things weren't going so well one year, and some fans actually killed Danny's dog. I personally interviewed that wonderful man and the story is true enough.
But alas, we will soon be asked to spend hundreds of millions, much of it coming from taxpayer dollars, and it is questionable if such an investment will better the living standards of our citizens.. It's time now for a commercial. Stay tuned.
