Taking a more mature look at this, it was the 2006 Twins that brought home a valuable life lesson for me. Remember that squad? Didn't stay above .500 until June 22. On August 7, they were 10.5 games out of first place and in third place; when September arrived, they were 6 games back and still in third place. They then caught even more fire and propelled themselves into first place following Game 162. Morneau won the MVP, Santana was the Cy Young winner and Mauer had the highest WAR on the team. The "Piranhas" were established that season, Francisco Liriano was an electric rookie (whose season ended too soon) and Mike Redmond was running around the clubhouse naked. It was a magical regular season that was followed by a 3-0 trouncing in the divisional series to the Athletics.
On a personal note, my life wasn't at an apex that summer-I was in my 30's, still frustratingly single, money was tight, and I was living in a basement apartment that mercifully had cheap rent and free cable/internet. The Twins carried me through that summer--I was working two jobs (where the conversation centered on the Twins' run) and dashing home to catch the games. They buoyed my spirits and allowed me to forget/ignore the other, less satisfactory aspects of my life. I was getting ready to attend the parade fifteen years after the last one.
And then they got blitzed by the Athletics--it happened so fast, it was stunning. But, when I came to, I decided it didn't diminish that summer. It was a great summer, exciting, fun and provided excitement that otherwise would have been a big vacant space. It was a lesson for me in savoring the joy and not letting the disappointment permeate too deep or for too long. I've went back to this touchpoint a fair number of times as a reminder on how to approach life.
And as I was thinking this post out, I also recognized what howeda and bonin have stated--I am able to look at this through the perspective and memories of a really successful stretch for MN sports--my HS and college years included all of what howeda's already laid out, plus we got a NBA franchise in that timespan. So, perhaps I'm coming off as an a-hole a bit, but man, if these MN sports teams have taught me anything. . .grab those moments of joy, however fleeting--the incredible JJ catch against the Bills, the Zach Puchtel game vs. Indiana, the Duke's Mayo dousing of Fleck--because waiting on the big prize will send you to the therapist's couch, at best.
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