40-year-old diversions: Self Q&A on Favre, fallout from Thome blast

So, we've been away from the computer about 24 hours. What did we miss?

But seriously, when we decided at the last minute to take a random Wednesday off to complete our annual gambling and golf excursion with our dad, we did not have any idea that the period would include: another low-speed pursuit of Brett Favre arriving in the Twin Cities; an amazing game at Target Field, capped by another 40-year-old defeating his rival team with a memorable blast (we originally had tickets for this game ... the person we gave them to, who shall remain nameless, enjoyed the experience thoroughly but is COMPLETELY RUING THE DECISION to leave in the top of the ninth); and, of course, the Favre press conference. Believe us when we say it is very strange seeing a walk-off Thome blast from the bowels of a poker room last night (with many more hours of cards ahead of us at the time), while watching the Favre press conference on mute while sitting at a black jack table. And now? We are sitting at a coffee shop an hour into our drive back because there was just too much rattling around our head after a crazy day. So let's get to this before the final couple hours of our drive (apologies for any gaps in coherence ... which should probably be a standard disclaimer on the blog tagline):

First off: it appears some people aren't handling the Twins/White sox AL Central position swap as well as others. For instance, a couple of folks associated with disseminating information to White Sox fans: Joe Cowley (via deadspin, as pointed out by former colleague Tom Jones) had a Twitter meltdown last night; and of course, Hawk Harrelson -- the obsessively homerish White Sox announcer who apparently didn't enjoy the Thome homer very much. Via our old media pal Chris Vetter (audio has been disabled everywhere we look):

On MLB Network, they played White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson calling the home run. Thome swung the bat, and Harrelson quietly said, "And this game is over." Nothing more was said as the camera watched Thome round the bases. The announcing crew on MLB network guessed that Harrelson had left the booth before Thome reached home plate.

Awesome. If anyone can find audio of this, please send it to us.

And now, Favre. Here is a quick Q&A -- RandBall to RandBall -- about his return and the season.

Q As a Vikings fan, should I be embarrassed about the way this entire process played out?

Q If this were happening still to the Packers, would you feel differently about that answer?

A Sure. We'd probably be mocking and ridiculing. But after that, we'd grudgingly realize that it meant a [redacted] tough QB was still around to haunt us. And again, that's really all that matters. Favre's antics make for fun theater. Nothing more, nothing less. Between the lines, he is a pro.

Q Did you ever doubt Favre was coming back?

A No. And if you don't believe us, please look for the 800th time at our timeline from April 30. We were only off by one day on the final answer. And you'll find the process to be fairly remarkably mapped out. And yes we are tooting our own horn. Let us never link to this again.

Q Does it worry you that last year seemed set up so perfectly for success as compared to this year. The schedule is tougher ... everyone is a year older ... there are other defined challengers ... what are we missing?

Q What feels different this season as opposed to last season in terms of getting Favre in a Vikings uniform?

A To us, it's three-fold. First, we already know this works. Last year he was coming off a bad finish to his 2008 season with an injury to his throwing arm that was truly a question mark in terms of his effectiveness. There is no question now that his arm is still good and that he can run this offense. Second, the shock of seeing him in purple ... the hype of the Green Bay games ... all of the extra stuff, that's diminished to a degree this time around. It's just natural. Don't get us wrong: the two Packers games will still be huge. But there isn't the same "oh my goodness Brett Favre is a Viking" feeling. Third, we believe he really knows this is it -- his last season -- and could change his perspective. More on that later.

Q Who is the favorite in the NFC North right now?

A The Vikings. Let's not be silly. Until the Packers take it from them and play meaningful pass defense in a big game against a good team -- which they certainly couldn't do last season -- this is Minnesota's division and first-round playoff bye to claim.

Q Do you really believe Ryan Longwell, Steve Hutchinson and Jared Allen played such a huge role in getting him back by going to Mississippi?

Q The Vikings are built to win now. As in this year. As in that's it for the window. What happens if they don't win the Super Bowl this season, or at least reach the big game?

A It will be disappointing in some regards because this team really has been set up perfect for success over 2009 and 2010. But everyone knows how fluky championship runs can be. They takes breaks. Those aren't guaranteed. If the Vikings do come up short, it still will have absolutely been worth the effort of bringing Favre in for two years. You will never convince us otherwise. You can say it saved coach Brad Childress from his biggest flaw -- his unfailing belief in his ability to develop a quarterback -- and that the Vikings are right back where they started in 2011. That's true. But Favre was the perfect QB for those two seasons. That's hard to find.

Q Favre has retired 18 billion times already. What makes you think he will really hang it up after this season?

A Well, he did say so. But that's beyond the point. As mentioned, the Vikings are built to win now. This is the perfect set-up for him. If he can't win right now, this year, with this team, he can't win another Super Bowl. He'll turn 41 this season. And as sure as we always were that he was coming back this season, we just don't see there being another go-round.

Q Unless?