posted by rvb
We are a week and a half away from the annual Turkey Dart Championship and you can feel the tension building. There will be a game change to 301 this year which should give more competitors a chance to win. Being able to score by simply hitting the board must be welcome news to players like Mary Jo Crown. Let's take a look at this year's odds:
THE FIELD 25-1
Anyone one is welcome to register and compete in the TDC. As always, there is potential for a random Kubes family member or Smith cousin that decides to come to Thanksgiving and play. Here are a couple of possibilities.
Aaron/Jason Smith- Will show up based on the amount of available mashed potatoes, alcohol, and whether or not their parole officer will let them.
Ken Smith- Hiding in a bunker in Montana after the election. Not likely to come.
Kubes Daughters- Katie goes to the U of M which the Badger hockey fans call a "safety school." I don't know what that means, but I think it means you are not good at darts. Carly doesn't eat meat. I think we all know that no vegetarian has ever won the TDC. Blair will more than likely be recruited to play spy with Lauren, Will and Connor.
Sherwood and Anne Smith- Travel schedule is difficult to gauge. They may just as likely be on some remote island somewhere.
THE DARK HORSES OR WHATEVER 75-1
Sheila Pettis- Lost to "The Mechanic" in the first round last year. Needs to get a more favorable draw to advance to the second round this year. (Like a bye for instance.)
Mary Jo Crown- Nader had a better chance to win the Presidency.
Jenny Raabe- Lost in round one last year. All I can remember is that she throws like a girl.
Vicki Raabe- Could anyone else imagine a dream match up of Vicki vs. Sheila in round 1? That would be one for the ages.
THE LONGSHOTS 50 to 1
Deb Kubes - Will no doubt use lame "I'm pregnant" excuse if she fails to advance to second round again this year.
Glenn Crown- Gopher football fan. Enough said.
Curt Raabe - A no-show in last year's event. More than likely hoping for snow to avoid an embarrassing defeat.
FOR REAL OR FLUKES 25-1
Jackie Crown- Mofina made it to the semifinals last year. Has watched literally 300 episodes of Grey's Anatomy in preparation for this year's event.
Tracey Raabe - From finalist in 2006 to first-round bust in 2007. Spent the off-season in English Pubs hoping to regain the 2006 form.
THE QUARTERFINALISTS 15-1
Joe Kubes- Could make some noise early. Should have the home field advantage, but may be hounded to do extra Thanksgiving prep by his pregnant wife.
Dick Crown- Has taken choking to a new level. As described by fellow competitor "Multiplying" Mike Crown in a June interview in Dart Throwers Magazine, " This guy melts down worse than Chernobyl."
THE COMPETITION 5-1
Mike Crown- A real class act. Has great form and composure. This former champion has his sights set on knocking off "The Mechanic" to regain the title.
Nick Pettis- Took it to the finals last year before being overtaken by Jason Raabe. A professional mountain biker by trade, Pettis hopes to deliver on his first title this year.
THE MAN 2-1
Jason Raabe- Raabe is a two-time champion and this year's likely winner. The only shed of hope for the competition is that little piece of kryptonite I like to call "marriage." It messed up Tiger Woods for a while. Is it possible Raabe struggles?.................nah.
Hope to see you all at the tournament!!!!!
