The history of wagering with my friend Rocket goes back at least 25 years, when we each put up $5 — a decent sum of money back in our early teen years — on the 1991 World Series. I took the Braves, my favorite team. He took the Twins.
When I grudgingly paid up, it was a moment I wouldn't forget.
Fast-forward 25 years, and we have a new wager brewing. This one is a friendly one — no money involved, though we will likely think of something embarrassing that the loser has to do — involving the Timberwolves and the Wild.
The Vegas over-under win totals for both teams were similar (Wolves 41.5, Wild 43.5). I requested no points. I just took the Wolves, while Rocket took the Wild, straight up.
I'm a gentleman.
Rocket, on the other hand, has been texting me pretty much every time I mention the Timberwolves in a blog post (which is often) of every time the Wild wins (to remind me that he is now up 4-0, which is a ludicrous comparison since the Wolves season doesn't even start until tonight).
Though I will be concerned if the Wild keeps getting to face emergency goaltenders, on average I am mostly just looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
The good news for Minnesota sports fans is that both teams figure to be interesting. They might even both make the playoffs, which has happened only one other time: the 2002-03 season.
