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History of Heartbreak: 100 Events That Tortured Minnesota Sports Fans
We Love Minnesota Win, Lose, or Missed Field Goal! Minnesota fans have had it rough. From the Lakers leaving in 1960 to the original “Hail Mary” to perhaps the worst trade in professional sports to the departure of our beloved North Stars, we’ve cried, shrugged our shoulders, and cried some more. From generation to generation, the heartbreaks continue to pile up. But we don’t quit. We don’t give up. Minnesota’s fans of baseball, basketball, football, and hockey keep coming back, season after season, year after year. Twin Cities filmmaker Dan Whenesota called upon the diehard fanatics in the Land of 10,000 Lakes to help him compile a list of the worst, most devastating moments in our sports history. This “Calendar of Calamity” became the basis for History of Heartbreak . It’s more than a collection of unforgettable moments. It’s a tribute to our spirit, to our unwavering loyalty. It is a celebration of our favorite teams—the Vikings, Twins, Wild, Timberwolves, Gophers, and more—and a reminder that those who have experienced the worst learn to truly cherish the best. Join Minnesota fans across the state and around the country in remembering the moments that broke our hearts and brought us back for more. Inside You’ll Find
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 15, 2022
It often seems as if Minnesota professional/college sports teams are cursed. Not the “we never win” curse (the Twins have won a few titles) like the pre-2016 Chicago Cubs, but rather the curse of getting so close and having Lucy pull the football out from under Charlie Brown, or having bad luck stack atop itself (i.e. the Twins’ current mathematically astounding playoff losing streak). In “History of Heartbreak”, author Dan Whenesota collates all those gut-punches and “what could have been?” moments under one (probably Domed) roof here, so to speak.
This is a quick-hitter sort of tome that could be completely consumed in an hour or two if one were so inclined. Each topic is no more than 2 pages of material. But that doesn’t mean “History of Heartbreak” is simply a list-based book. There is actually a great balance of the “what happened” versus Whenesota’s opinion on the event (in a sense speaking for all Minnesotans) and what it eventually led to in the future. In other words, a pretty thorough look at each “heartbreak” without being overly verbose.
Another feature of this little volume I enjoyed is that it doesn’t wallow in self-pity. Sure, the whole concept is built upon the “why me?!” aspect of MN sports and their fans, but Whenesota uses humor and realism to soften the blow a bit. Instead of wallowing, he uses each instance as an example of how MN sports fan might be some of the best in the nation for having to deal with such disappointment seemingly year-in and year-out. He knows that we’re all playing in the “toy department” here, as the saying goes, and doesn’t take himself too seriously.
To be honest, I expected this book to be pretty dry and straight-forward (more list-icle than actual book), but I found it to be engaging and comprehensive in its tackling of the dark or comically tragic side of the MN sports scene.
This is a quick-hitter sort of tome that could be completely consumed in an hour or two if one were so inclined. Each topic is no more than 2 pages of material. But that doesn’t mean “History of Heartbreak” is simply a list-based book. There is actually a great balance of the “what happened” versus Whenesota’s opinion on the event (in a sense speaking for all Minnesotans) and what it eventually led to in the future. In other words, a pretty thorough look at each “heartbreak” without being overly verbose.
Another feature of this little volume I enjoyed is that it doesn’t wallow in self-pity. Sure, the whole concept is built upon the “why me?!” aspect of MN sports and their fans, but Whenesota uses humor and realism to soften the blow a bit. Instead of wallowing, he uses each instance as an example of how MN sports fan might be some of the best in the nation for having to deal with such disappointment seemingly year-in and year-out. He knows that we’re all playing in the “toy department” here, as the saying goes, and doesn’t take himself too seriously.
To be honest, I expected this book to be pretty dry and straight-forward (more list-icle than actual book), but I found it to be engaging and comprehensive in its tackling of the dark or comically tragic side of the MN sports scene.
January 31, 2021
A pretty thorough examination of the pain and heartbreak we Minnesota sports fans have endured. It’s enough to wonder what we did to upset the Fates. If not for the ‘87 and ‘91 Twins, we’ve experienced nothing but pain for our devotion. Why do we keep putting ourselves through it? I have no friggin’ idea! SKOL Vikings! Go Twins! Bring back the North Stars! The Timberwolves are also a team from Minnesota.
October 16, 2020
Uplifting.
March 18, 2022
You remember most of these, but there’s enough new that will break your heart all over again. Delightful
December 29, 2024
Solid book. It recaps the long history of distinction in men's professional and major college sports teams in Minnesota.
June 3, 2025
This book explains everything about my anxiety around Minnesota Sports. But Dog Gonnit do I still love em!
May 12, 2025
It’s very briefly acknowledged at the start of the book. But do Minnesota women’s sports teams just not exist? I also tire of the whole “woe is us” Minnesota sports fandom.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews