NEW YORK, NY – It’s the Wednesday after Tax Day and folks, let me tell you, it doesn’t get more exciting than that. In far less exhilarating news, the NBA Playoffs are upon us and the NHL Playoffs start this weekend. If those aren’t your thing, then watch some baseball or something. If baseball is also not your bag, then you’re on your own. As for myself, despite my MTM moniker, I’m trying to be a tad more measured these days. There’s a ton of work to be done there but, for starters, sports are hardly getting to me anymore. Here’s what I mean.
Hockey. As my bio here clearly states, I was a Minnesota North Stars fan whose crappy owner moved them to Dallas and they promptly won the Stanley Cup… in Dallas. That about sums it up. After coming to my senses, I no longer rooted for the Dallas Stars and started pulling for the Minnesota Wild, but the damage was already done. I will never like the Wild the way I did the North Stars, even though they do their best to occasionally make it look like they’re wearing their uniforms. When it comes to the #NHL, my heart just isn’t in it anymore. I still love seeing the occasional game live, but I barely follow the league.
Basketball. I was a Golden State Warriors fan when they weren’t very good but had a fun team that included the likes of World B. Free, Bernard King, and Purvis Short. Then they got worse… much worse… and finally things started to turn around when their second wave of great players—Mullin, Hardaway, Richmond—came on board. Finally, years after that group was gone, they became the best team in basketball and still were the best team until a few years ago. It’s over. I’ve got nothing to complain about. As I type this they have a play-in game at home Tuesday night against Memphis, that they should win but could easily lose. I won’t get too excited or upset either way. As I’ve said to my Knicks fan brethren, it’s not their year, and probably won’t be for the foreseeable future. And that’s just fine. I also really don’t watch any college basketball anymore.
SPOILER ALERT: Golden State beat Memphis 121-116
Baseball. I’m a Mariners and Mets fan. What else do you need to know? The expectations are so low I can’t possibly get upset. It’s very freeing, actually. I know there are many that do have high expectations for the Mets this year and beyond, but “cautiously optimistic” is my ceiling. As for the Mariners? I expect them to compete right up to the end, and then miss the playoffs by a game or two. All of that said, I still LOVE going to baseball games. I just wish there were a minor league park near me. I’d go all the time.
Football. Two words: Minnesota Vikings. Had the Vikings won a Super Bowl when I was in my teens, it would have meant everything to me. But, I’ve seen too much now. I still love the Vikings but don’t expect anything but heartbreak. Out of all the major sports and all the teams, this is my favorite by a lot. I’m still pulling for them, but I’ve seen this movie so many times and know the end by heart.
Speaking of endings, I think we’ve reached today’s. Come on back tomorrow for Buddy Diaz, who keeps a torpedo bat under his bed for protection.
