Your writing is always beautiful, thoughtful, and not overcomplicated in its tangents. I quite enjoy your coverage, even being a newer fan. Lovely encapsulation of the silliness and suffering of sports.
Listen, I’m gonna be that person who shills their own work, except it’s not done yet so I have nothing to show for it. But I’ve been needling on a piece of writing specifically around the idea of sports = suffering. I am so relieved to see that I am, in fact, not special in this regard.
Now excuse me while I go find some LA Kings fans because we need to talk.
I took this post home at lunch and into my closet. Swiping past the Blackout jersey emblazoned with the #4, the Cup winning Star design hanging blank and respected, an OG sweater from the inaugural season after the move from Minnesota, and there it was in the deep and dark recesses. "Dr. Livingston, I presume?" No. It was #91 Brad Richards. Long discarded and dusty from neglect, a sordid reminder from what could have been...I sat and began to read aloud
I'll listen to opposing broadcast's ocassionally just to hear other perspectives. The Avs broadcast is, without question, the worst. They are the whiniest bunch of babies ever.
Which is weird bc when I've encountered Avs fans on message boards and such....very chill, in ways I cannot fully understand. I remember when the 2020 season ended with the Kiviranta OT winner and the general consensus on their board was "oh well, was a good season but we weren't good enough" where I would have been despondent. It's too bad the fans have to have such horrid announcers.
Can confirm. I watch a lot of hockey games on ESPN+. The Avs broadcasters are by far the worst. Most teams, including the Stars, have good to excellent broadcasters and analysts.
My prediction for Game 7 without Miro or Robo: flip a coin. Jake is going to have to be his best self, but also without the fluke goals that Colorado keeps scoring. Maybe they don’t give up the fluke goals if they spend less time in their own end and more time in the other end. Just a thought. I could be wrong.
I remember the Bubble Final in 2020. Talk about investment. My then 20 year old son (and I) lived and died with every turn of Game 6. When it was over, he experienced his first real sports heartbreak. It was tough. Yet, he was back again the next opening night.
Your writing is always beautiful, thoughtful, and not overcomplicated in its tangents. I quite enjoy your coverage, even being a newer fan. Lovely encapsulation of the silliness and suffering of sports.
Robert, thank you for this piece…my journey as a fan began a long time ago and through it all, I couldn’t and I can’t stop loving my teams!
Listen, I’m gonna be that person who shills their own work, except it’s not done yet so I have nothing to show for it. But I’ve been needling on a piece of writing specifically around the idea of sports = suffering. I am so relieved to see that I am, in fact, not special in this regard.
Now excuse me while I go find some LA Kings fans because we need to talk.
You are special.
You probably say that to all your paid subscribers, RT.
Only if it's true.
I took this post home at lunch and into my closet. Swiping past the Blackout jersey emblazoned with the #4, the Cup winning Star design hanging blank and respected, an OG sweater from the inaugural season after the move from Minnesota, and there it was in the deep and dark recesses. "Dr. Livingston, I presume?" No. It was #91 Brad Richards. Long discarded and dusty from neglect, a sordid reminder from what could have been...I sat and began to read aloud
Everyone loves a good lunch break.
I had Taco Bell so its too early to tell
I think this was a nice reminder that the love is always there. It doesn’t always change anything, but it helps us endure the things that change.
What a magnificent piece. Perfectly encapsulates the price and prize of fandom.
Bucci has really lost the plot. I liked him in the late 90’s on espn 2. Then he went away for a while and now… I wish he’d just go away again.
I'm forever grateful to him for introducing me to Jack Falla, but he could really use a moderating influence at times. As could all of us, I suppose.
For every Falla there’s an Edward’s I suppose
I'll listen to opposing broadcast's ocassionally just to hear other perspectives. The Avs broadcast is, without question, the worst. They are the whiniest bunch of babies ever.
Which is weird bc when I've encountered Avs fans on message boards and such....very chill, in ways I cannot fully understand. I remember when the 2020 season ended with the Kiviranta OT winner and the general consensus on their board was "oh well, was a good season but we weren't good enough" where I would have been despondent. It's too bad the fans have to have such horrid announcers.
Can confirm. I watch a lot of hockey games on ESPN+. The Avs broadcasters are by far the worst. Most teams, including the Stars, have good to excellent broadcasters and analysts.
Brilliant Robert!
Thanks!
THIS is why we watch sports. And RHIS is why we listen to Robert.
Awesome stuff Tiffin. The joy and the agony, what we live for
My prediction for Game 7 without Miro or Robo: flip a coin. Jake is going to have to be his best self, but also without the fluke goals that Colorado keeps scoring. Maybe they don’t give up the fluke goals if they spend less time in their own end and more time in the other end. Just a thought. I could be wrong.
This is a seriously good piece.
Thanks, Ken!
Thanks Robert. I don’t like to suffer, or be tortured. But, this is of course, part of the process. Dammit Stars win in 4, 5 or 6 next round!
That was awesome Robert. Let’s do this!
I remember the Bubble Final in 2020. Talk about investment. My then 20 year old son (and I) lived and died with every turn of Game 6. When it was over, he experienced his first real sports heartbreak. It was tough. Yet, he was back again the next opening night.