Wayne Hattaway is the gentleman with the oversized mustache, glasses and Twins cap who can be seen occasionally in the dugout. Wayne was a long-time equipment manager in the Twins organization and carries the nickname, "Big Fella,'' because that has been his salutation for every male person that he encountered

Asked his role with the Twins, Big Fella will say, "I'm in charge of telling him how good they ain't.'' Obviously, it has been difficult for Hattaway to keep up with that task over the past four seasons.

Hattaway was infamous for his one-liners to minor leaguers, including this encouragement after a failed effort by a Twins signee:

"It's not your fault, son. It's the scout that signed you.''

It is time to transfer that requiem to the Vikings. After Thursday night, we should offer a mythical slap on the back to quarterback Christian Ponder and say in unison:

"It's not your fault, son. It's the guy that drafted you 12th.''

Rick Spielman's failure was the Vikings' embarrassment in Lambeau Field – the final chapter in Ponder's astounding decline from a first start with promise vs. the Packers in October 2011, to a 36th start with no chance vs. the Packers in October 2014.

As bad as it was, Ponder's effort barely makes the Vikings' top five for futile quarterbacking vs. the Packers. Here's a horrific handful:

11-14-71: Gary Cuozzo goes 5 for 11 for 45 yards, team produces 5 first downs and yet the Vikings beat the Packers 3-0 at Met Stadium.

12-30-01: With Daunte Culpepper and Todd Bouman hurt, Spergon Wynn makes his second Vikings start. He goes 11 for 30 with three interceptions in a 24-13 loss at Lambeau, and coach Dennis Green is fired a few days later.

12-21-06: Rookie Tarvaris Jackson makes his first start, goes 10 for 20 for 50 yards, the Vikings score on a Fred Smoot interception and lose 9-7 at Lambeau.

1-5-13: With Ponder hurt, Joe Webb starts a wild-card playoff game in Lambeau and goes 11 for 30 for 50 yards in 24-10 loss.

10-2-14: With Matt Cassel out for season and Teddy Bridgewater not 100 percent, Ponder starts. He posts a 13.4 quarterback rating in first half and Vikings are embarrassed 42-10 at Lambeau.

PLUS THREE FROM PATRICK

Worst elements of major pro sports in 2014:

1-The totally random nature of penalty calls in the NFL, particularly personal fouls against a quarterback.

2-The endless cat-and-mouse contest between pitchers and hitters in MLB that makes even the best of postseason games interminably long.

3-The shootout in the NHL. To award a team for a defeat is the cheesiest gimmick ever perpetuated on a gullible public.