Ryan's Awkward Thoughts Presents: The Minnesota sports binge-watching guide
I’ve brought back the “Ryan’s Awkward Thoughts” podcast during this time of quarantine and trying new things. Last week, I started with my friend Mike on and we broke down what the NBA season would look like if it restarted today. This week, with Easter going on and such, I don’t have a guest but I think an interesting topic. You can find all the episodes here.
Aside from breaking down the Bachelor’s Listen To Your Heart. I want to present a guide to Minnesota sports binge-watching. Basically, I want to discuss important games for each local squad. Aside from that, I want to have a resource for people to go to where they can find these games, as they sometimes can be tricky to find. So, here is the written accompaniment to this week’s show.
Minnesota Twins
1987 - World Series vs. St. Louis: Game 1
The story: For the first time since 1965, the Twins returned to the World Series and were doing so in front of a raucous crowd at the Metrodome against the Cardinals, one of the best teams in baseball in the 1980s.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD9-0b_w9Bw
1987 - World Series vs. St. Louis: Game 2
The story: After a raucous Game 1, the Twins and Cardinals faced off again as Minnesota tried to make it two consecutive wins against this tough St. Louis team.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7dhKqeSCK4
1987 - World Series vs. St. Louis: Game 6
The story: Games 3-5 did not go the way the Twins planned as St. Louis swept the three games at Busch Stadium to grab a 3-2 lead in the series. However, Minnesota returned to the almighty Metrodome for Game 6.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HU46dxh4jI
1987 - World Series vs. St. Louis: Game 7
The story: The Twins sent the series to Game 7 and now had to win just one more game for the franchise’s first World Series title. Frank Viola went to the mound for Minnesota.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aQdU1L6CIA
1991 - World Series vs. Atlanta: Game 1
The story: After a four-year absence and sitting at the bottom of the standings in 1990, the Twins made a big-time turnaround to return to the Fall Classic as they took on the Braves.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5lhE8lN7D8
1991 - World Series vs. Atlanta: Game 2
The story: After the Twins once again showed how tough they were inside the Metrodome during the World Series, that dominance would be tested as Minnesota faced off again Atlanta starter and 20-game winner Tom Glavine.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUIQJupvu5A
1991 - World Series vs. Atlanta: Game 6
The story: Once again, the Twins headed home down 3-2 in the World Series. They needed to defeat a red-hot Braves team with star pitcher Steve Avery on the mound. Enter Kirby Puckett.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqRebj0-g4w
1991 - World Series vs. Atlanta: Game 7
The story: After six games of this series, the question had to be asked: Could it get any better? Well, just wait until Jack Morris and John Smoltz hit the mound with a title on the line.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT_MODis138
2002 - AL Division Series vs. Oakland: Game 1
The story: After an 11-year absence, the Twins returned to the postseason after nearly being contracted less than a year prior. Minnesota came on strong and ran away with the AL Central but now faced a tough task in defeating the vaunted Oakland A’s.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2zhFynHraM
2002 - AL Division Series vs. Oakland: Game 5
The story: This series quickly turned into a roller coaster for Twins fans. After a memorable win in Game 4 at the Metrodome, Minnesota returned to the Bay Area to face the A’s in a winner-take-all Game 5.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAVBXQoLQPE
2009 - Regular Season Finale vs. Kansas City
The story: After being so close to the tail of the Tigers in the race for the AL Central title, the Twins had finally gotten to a tie atop the division with Detroit. To keep pace, Minnesota needed a win in what was supposed to be the final regular-season game inside the Metrodome.
Where to watch: https://youtu.be/HV48y5q-V38
2009 - Game 163 vs. Detroit
The story: After finishing tied atop the division after 162 games, the Twins and Tigers faced off in a one-game playoff to decide the winner. What came with that was something myself and much of baseball will not soon forget.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omXCjI4O-oY&t=861s
2010 - Target Field Opener vs. Boston
The story: After the craziness of 2009, a new era of baseball in Minnesota came with the opening of Target Field. On April 12, the Twins faced off against the Boston Red Sox in the first outdoor baseball game in Minnesota since 1981.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqfkD9SDR-I
2010 - Jim Thome Walk-Off Homerun vs. Chicago White Sox
The story: With newly-opened Target Field as the backdrop, the Twins made it known early on they were contenders in the American League. But first, they had to win the AL Central. The biggest deterrent to that happening came in the form of the Chicago White Sox. The two teams faced off in a classic July series with one familiar face for both teams playing a large role in this game’s outcome.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKzP1N9-0M8
2011 - Francisco Liriano’s no-hitter vs. Chicago White Sox
The story: As a whole, this Twins season was one most fans surely want to forget. But one highlight came in the form of Francisco Liriano one night on the southside of Chicago.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbk5hfuLvYE
Minnesota Vikings
1980 - Week 15 vs. Cleveland
The story: The Vikings were in a race to get into the playoffs when they took on the Browns. Trailing late, Minnesota went to a trick play of sorts to pick up the win.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYfee7iclBE
1987 - Divisional Round at San Francisco
The story: The Vikings had backed their way into the playoffs. But after a road win against New Orleans, Minnesota was a serious threat. That was most true in this game at Candlestick Park.
Where to watch: https://youtu.be/T7zxeDQ1pWg
1998 - Week 5 at Green Bay
The story: The year that will live forever in the minds of Vikings fans. With the team off to a strong start, including the play of rookie wide receiver Randy Moss, the Vikings took on their border rival and showed the entire nation on Monday Night Football that the Purple was for real.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk_1eNO0-RA&t=256s
1998 - Week 13 at Dallas
The story: This season was so memorable and important in the greater scheme of Minnesota sports, we had to have two games (and they were both on YouTube). The Vikings’ run continued and once again they were on a big-time scale as they went to Texas Stadium to play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. What happened was a moment for the nation to see just what Moss and the Vikings could do.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omphQiZ3hAk
2004 - Wild Card Round at Green Bay
The story: It was an up-and-down season for the Vikings (a regular occurrence). After stumbling near the end of the regular season, Minnesota went into one of the toughest environments at that time — Lambeau Field in January. Going up against Brett Favre, Moss showed his prowess once again.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpV7YTyMqTY
2009 - Divisional Round vs. Dallas
The story: If there’s a season that can stand up to 1998 in terms of craziness and success, it’s 2009. Coming out retirement (again), Brett Favre joined the Vikings prior to that season and took the team on a magical run. His first chance at playoff football in purple came against a Cowboys team that featured their own star quarterback in Tony Romo.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz5K3_f8LVc
2012 - Week 17 vs. Green Bay
The story: It was another grind of a season for the Vikings. But after suffering a torn ACL, Adrian Peterson put on one of the greatest single-season rushing performances we’ve ever seen. That included this win-and-in game against the Packers.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGcRHUT42Dw
2017 - Divisional Round vs. New Orleans
The story: Yes, we all know the story behind this one. Case Keenum helped the Vikings on an unexpected run to the No. 2 seed in the NFC and now had to down the New Orleans Saints to advance to the NFC Championship Game. If you know anything, a guy wearing No. 14 may play a significant role in this one.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7g9v0BSsvA
Minnesota Timberwolves
2004 - Western Conference Semifinals Game 7 vs. Sacramento
The story: Not a lot of Timberwolves content to draw off of in general and on YouTube. But if there was a peak to the franchise, it came during the 2004 NBA playoffs. For the first and only time, Minnesota advanced past the first round and had a chance at a spot in the Western Conference Finals. A tough-fought series came to a head as the Timberwolves and the Kings faced off in the all-important seventh game.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EcwQ2HQbig
Minnesota Lynx
2015 - WNBA Finals Game 3 at Indiana
The story: The Lynx were in the midst of their dynastic run in the WNBA. After losing to the Fever in the 2012 WNBA Finals, this appeared to be a perfect time for Minnesota to extract revenge. After splitting the first two games, the series moved to Indianapolis. Late in the game, Maya Moore showed why she was the coveted player many raved about.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2bDdsoEeIQ&t=4s
2017 - WNBA Finals Game 5 vs. Los Angeles
The story: To me, this is sort of the end of the 2010s Lynx dynasty. After a heartbreaking loss at home in Game 5 of the 2016 finals, Minnesota had a chance for revenge.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz1l-p2rLk8&t=6s
Minnesota Wild
2003 - Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 7 at Colorado
The story: In the franchise’s third year of existence, the Minnesota Wild found themselves in their first playoff run going up against a highly-vaunted Colorado Avalanche team. The Wild had clawed back from a 3-1 deficit to force a Game 7 inside Pepsi Center in Denver.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UylYId6nv_Y
2003 - Western Conference Semifinals Game 7 at Vancouver
The story: New series, same story. The Wild once again trailed 3-1 and had to win the next three games, including two road games. Their final roadblock came in Vancouver against the Canucks with a chance at the franchise’s first Western Conference final.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-C-qCQQbhE
2014 - Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 7 vs. Colorado
The story: Sound familiar? It sure does. The Wild were heavy underdogs again but forced the Avalanche to play a winner-take-all Game 7 at Pepsi Center.
Where to watch: https://youtu.be/jl-_Wb5ReLc
Minnesota Golden Gophers
2004 - Women’s Basketball Elite Eight vs. Duke
The story: One of the landmark moments in the growth of women’s sports in Minnesota. Hutchinson’s own Lindsay Whalen had been a trademark of the Gopher program and spiked a peak in interest during Minnesota’s run to the Final Four.
Where to watch: https://youtu.be/6J2FdoCF6_U
2007 - Men’s Hockey WCHA Championship vs. North Dakota
The story: This might have been one of the peaks of WCHA Hockey. These two rivals faced off in front of an energetic crowd at Xcel Energy Center.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ij8TLM2upA
2014 - Football at Nebraska
The story: For any old-time Gopher football fan, this matchup was often seen as a blowout for the elite Husker teams. However, Minnesota got a small sense of revenge as the Gophers headed into Lincoln, Nebraska.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ_4TyMjhC8
2016 - Volleyball Regional Final vs. Hawaii
The story: The interest in Gopher volleyball has gone up at a striking rate. It appeared that excitement came to a head as Minnesota made a run in 2016. The Gophers were one match away from the Final Four as they took on Hawaii.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G9BqtnXw1o
2018 - Women’s Soccer Big Ten Final vs. Penn State
The story: If you haven’t noticed, women’s programs at the University of Minnesota have and will carry the success for the school. Look no further than this run through the Big Ten soccer tournament.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PUNsuxt0Ds&t=617s
2019 - Football vs. Penn State
The story: The Gophers had started their unbeaten run but weren’t receiving the national respect they might have thought they deserved. With a sold-out crowd at TCF Bank Stadium, there was a perfect opportunity for Minnesota to gain some national recognition.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZKtq7oAtO0&t=109s
2020 - Football: Outback Bowl vs. Auburn
The story: After a historic 10-win season, the Gophers headed into their January 1 bowl game as an underdog to an Auburn team that finished the regular season with a win over powerhouse Alabama.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma2GamqlN2Q
