Sport Prophecy

52 pieces in this column

I am a sports fan, take me to the soccer by Eric Nelson · Summer/Fall 2026
I walked into Seattle Stadium (which locals usually know as “Lumen Field”) as a neutral party, on a sunny Seattle day in June, when the world had tuned in to watch. I was hoping for a good game between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup, and to bear witness to the biggest sports event in the world showing up in my city.
Sport Prophecy by Eric Nelson · Fall/Winter 2023-2024
Traditions all have a starting point…and sometimes they come to a close. The tradition of a Rose Bowl football game between the Big Ten and Pac-12 (and their earlier conference iterations) stretches back over 100 years.
Sport Prophecy by Eric Nelson · Spring/Summer 2021
The Sports Prophecy has a thing for names. They aren’t any easier to forecast than game outcomes, but guessing what’s coming next happens pretty infrequently. And you have to admit nicknames are fun. Who didn’t want to learn more about the “Kraken” after reading the last installment of the prophecy?
Those crazy Kraken by Eric Nelson · Fall/Winter 2020
A marine biologist could probably give you a nice lecture on the shared characteristics of the Norwegian Sea and Puget Sound. I’m here to give you one — they both have a Kraken.
Enjoy it while you can by Eric Nelson · Fall/Winter 2016
A note about the Sports Prophecy: I was too busy watching baseball last fall to write a column, so instead we are reprinting a Sports Prophecy from a 1908 issue of Pietisten. It was written shortly after the Chicago Cubs won the 1908 World Series, and still feels relevant for today’s fan.
Who you calling sport? by Eric Nelson · Fall/Winter 2015
A British court recently took up the question of whether the card game bridge should be considered a sport. The outcome of the case determined financing and tax breaks for the English Bridge Union if they can convince the powdered wigs that bridge should have a seat next to track and field or English football.
Watching the clock by Eric Nelson · Spring/Summer 2015
Twenty seconds. That’s the count on pitchers in pro baseball’s new pitch clock, this season a minor league experiment to trim game lengths.
Blessed be the poor in team spirit by Eric Nelson · Fall/Winter 2014
There was a time when “rotisserie” only referred to roasting meat on a spit. As with so much of our society, sports dump-trucked the dictionary and took over the word, and from there only picked up speed.
Blessed be the poor in team spirit by Eric Nelson · Spring/Summer 2014
Seattle’s still basking in the glow of winning the Super Bowl, the city’s first major sports title in decades. The 12th Man has swelled with pride, a victory lap downtown was the largest public event since the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics’ NBA crown, and most importantly, the Lombardi Trophy dropped Seattle’s fans from the list of most miserable.
Give it (and me) a rest by Eric Nelson · Fall/Winter 2013
Many of you have been there: a mostly empty stadium, Double A-talent entertaining you for major league prices, a lazy conversation with your ballpark buddy that’s rarely interrupted by a reason to cheer. And you’ve probably — even if you aren’t a Cubs fan — wondered on that dog day in September: “Why am I here?”
Name Games by Eric Nelson · Spring/Summer 2013
It’s difficult enough to predict what athletes will do next, but the real sports guessing game is with the suits.
Sport Prophecy by Eric Nelson · Fall/Winter 2012
Sport Prophecy by Eric Nelson · Spring/Summer 2012
“I wish Christmas would come more often, don’t you?”
Sports Prophecy by Eric by Eric Nelson · Spring/Summer 2011
Giving up professional football could save the average fan 3 to 18 hours per week, depending on the health of your addiction. So the pews may have a few more congregants on fall Sundays, lawns may be mowed and well-raked through autumn, and you may notice another game —which some people also call “fütbol” – on the tube more often.
Sports Prophecy by Eric by Eric Nelson · Spring/Summer 2010
The baseball world may quickly forget “HGH,” “Canseco” and “Yankee Stadium” in 2010, when “ballparka” becomes the term du jour across the national pastime. A “ballparka,” of course, is the outer jacket one wears to a chilly outdoor baseball game. And come October, fans will need one when the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners square off for the American League pennant.
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Epiphany 2010
In lieu of a sport prophecy, I would like to use this space to pay tribute to the retiring editor, Phil Johnson.
Report from the YMCA Five-year-old Tee-ball league, Johnson County, Kansas by Eric · Summer 2009
My daughter, Violet, has decided to play Tee-ball this year, largely because her friend, Macy, signed up for the team.
The Waldenstrom for 2008 by Eric · Christmas 2008
Thoughts on the Jayhawks’ NCAA Championship by Eric · Spring 2008
I will admit that I am a convert to Jayhawk basketball. I was once indifferent to their wins, losses, and frequent early exits from the NCAA tournament; however, the scales fell from my eyes shortly after I accepted a job at the University of Kansas Hospital and I have seen the light.
The 2007 Waldenström by Eric · Christmas 2007
The Waldenström Award is given for outstanding play to the college football player Pietisten selects. Again this year we are faced with a difficult decision.
The NBA Draft by Eric · Spring 2007
Maybe people think prophecy is simply a matter of inspiration given to the prophet in a momentary flash and all he has to do is say it.
Troy Smith, Ohio State Quarterback, Chosen for 2006 Waldenström Award by Eric · Christmas 2006
NFL predictions by Eric · Fall 2004
2003 Waldenström Award by Eric · Winter 2003-2004
The Sport Prophet has been accused on occasion of having a pro-Minnesota bias. After some soul searching, the Prophet has concluded that, yes, there probably is a kernel of truth in this accusation.
The 2002 Waldenström Award by Eric · Winter 2002-2003
Pietisten Pre-Season NFL Picks by Eric · Summer 2002
The Waldenstrom Award 2001: Cornhusker Eric Crouch by Eric · Summer 2001
Chris Weinke Wins the 2000 Waldenström Award by Eric · Winter 2000
This year, against all odds, the trophy goes to another Twin Cities native—Chris Weinke of Florida State University. After leading the FSU Seminoles to the national title last year, it appears that he will again quarterback his team in the championship game. If that argument fails to sway the reader, the 33 touchdown passes he has thrown should be enough.
Summer Doldrums—July, 2000 by Eric · Summer 2000
I always hate trying to come up with a prediction in the summer.
Pietisten 1999-2000 All America Basketball Team by Eric · Spring 2000
Chad Pennington of Marshall by Eric · Fall 1999
The choice for this year’s Waldenström Trophy is quarterback Chad Pennington of Marshall. He has led Marshall to an undefeated season this year and has probably been more crucial to his team’s success than any other player in the country.
The Pietisten All-America Team by Eric · Winter 1999
Ricky Williams Wins the Third Waldenstrom Trophy by Eric · Fall 1998
This year's Waldenström Award for the top college football player goes to Ricky Williams (Running Back, University of Texas).
1997 All-Pietisten College Basketball Picks by Eric Nelson · Spring 1997
Marcus Harris Wins Football's Waldenström Trophy by Eric · Fall 1996
After careful consideration of all candidates, the inaugural Pietisten Waldenström Trophy for the nation's top college football player is awarded to Marcus Harris, Wide Receiver from the University of Wyoming Cowboys.
Preseason All NBA Picks by Eric · Fall 1995
The Sport Prophet is back! His preseason All NBA picks: first, second, and All-Rookie teams.
1995 All-Pietisten College Basketball Picks by Eric · Spring 1995
The Sport Prophet’s first and second All-Pietisten college basketball teams for 1995.
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Fall 1994
Here are my 1994-95 NBA picks.
Sport Prophecy (Second Hand) by Eric · Summer 1994
The Sport Prophet declined to make any prophecy this issue. Ordinarily at this time of the year, he forecasts the outcome of the NFL.
1994 All-Pietisten College Basketball Picks by Eric · Spring 1994
The Sport Prophet’s first and second All-Pietisten college basketball teams for 1994.
NBA Predictions — 1994 by Eric · Winter 1993
Division champs, other important playoff teams, Most Valuable Player, and the 1994 NBA champions.
Sports Prophecy by Eric · Winter 1991
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Spring 1991
NBA Picks
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Winter 1990
Pre-Season All-American Picks
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Fall 1990
Pre-Season All-Pro Picks
NBA—NFL All-Stars by Eric · Summer 1990
Here are the NBA players I would like to see at these football positions
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Spring 1990
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Winter 1989
Here are my NBA picks for this season. Division winners: Boston, Detroit, Utah, and Los Angeles. Other teams to watch for in the playoffs will be Phoenix, Cleveland, New York, and Chicago.
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Fall 1989
Here are my pre-season All-Pro picks. Note that I picked twelve defensive players in an attempt to include players from both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. I couldn't think of a punter or a kicker for this team, but punters and kickers aren't real players anyway.
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Spring 1989
Well, now for Pietisten's 1988-89 All-American Basketball Team
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Winter 1988
In the NBA: New York in the Atlantic, Cleveland in the Central, Utah in the Midwest, Los Angeles in the Pacific. Other playoff teams that will be a threat in the spring: Denver, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Atlanta, and Detroit.
Sport Prophecy by Eric · Fall 1988
This looks like it could finally be the Vikings' year, After coming within a game of the Super Bowl last season, Minnesota seems poised to make the trip in 1989. And, I think, contrary to their history, they will win the big one this time.