COVID-19 robs sports fans of great summer pastime

Last Friday morning I was picking the clothes to wear for the day. Usually, it’s a pair of slacks, shirt and a sweater. Boring!

A sudden thought popped into my head to pull out the Minnesota Twins pullover windbreaker and wear it with pride even though my team may not take the field until mid-summer.

Last week I was so desperate that I watched one of last season’s games and called my grandsons to tell them the Twins beat Boston’s Red Sox 8-6. After a long pause, I heard, “yeah, they’re not playing baseball, grandpa!” It was just a few minutes of pulling their leg, but it was fun.

It’s going to be a long summer if the Twins, and my other team, the St. Louis Cardinals, never take the field. That will be a sad day.

Compounding the problem the PGA announced that the Masters is to be played Nov. 9-15. Excuse me! The Masters has always been a springtime golf event at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA. Having been to Augusta, I can attest to the notion that the weather in November can be bone-chilling and hostile, not conditions conducive to golf.

What’s next? Minnesota Vikings will play a virtual season?

Hey, that’s not a bad idea. It could be that hackers break into the system and the Vikes could win their first Super Bowl. That has potential.

Maybe the anxiety over not having summer sports to follow is getting to me. However, it’s time for this state and nation to get back to work!  We‘re just not accustomed to sitting around waiting for the next shoe to drop. We are resilient. We, by the grace of God, will survive even a Chinese virus.

Here’s a thought: Let’s make every Friday a “wear your Minnesota Twins jacket, hat, sweater or visor day.” It’ll be a display of unity and let our Twinkies know that we’re cheering for them until they take the field at Target Field – hopefully, this year not next year. (Okay, golfers, wear your golf sweater, visor or hat and show your pride in the PGA.)

We can beat this virus!