Fifty years ago we would go to Mickey’s Diner in St. Paul. Usually to get pancakes or a burger. It was open 24-7 and an institution even before Garrison Keillor put it in his movie with Meryl Streep. Both icons, Streep for the world and Mickey’s for St. Paul.

Recently, Kay and I walked into the Diner and I exclaimed, “It hasn’t changed a bit in fifty years!” The waitress replied “You sure have!” We sat down at the counter and ordered a vegieburger for Kay and Potatoes O’Brien with a couple of eggs and toast for me. They were delicious. (You can’t beat aged mellow grease.)

I looked over at the booths and, lo and behold, there sat Old Foolish Fan grinning at me. I asked him what he was doing in St. Paul. He said mostly to cover the Twins, but he had the opportunity to interview Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He had wanted to talk to Pawlenty and eventually was able to find him in Minnesota on an off day.

You may remember Old Foolish Fan’s ability to get to the crux of the matter by uttering the magic words “You mean?” I asked O.F.F. for a heads up on his recent visit with the Governor and some of the sports figures he had interviewed. He was a little hesitant, but after a piece of Mickey’s apple pie a la mode was placed in front of him, he consented.

The following is a fictitious account of Old Foolish Fan’s recent interviews:

O.F.F: “Tell me Governor Pawlenty, there is strong talk you’re running for the Republican presidential nomination. Is that true and if it is, would you accept?”

G.P. : “I have recently had the opportunity to present my views on the state of the nation and possible solutions to some of the nation’s problems to interested groups. I am not running for President and even if I was, it would be extremely premature to announce my candidacy while I still have a full time job here in Minnesota.”

O.F.F.: “You mean?”

G.P.: “Yes, Pick me, pick me!”

Old Foolish Fan then moved off the shaky ground of politics and onto sports. He was lucky enough to talk to Brett Favre the other day and reported on his conversation.

O.F.F.: “There have been millions of words spoken and written about you coming out of retirement and why. Can you speak to that?”

Brett Favre: “I felt good and thought I could contribute to the Vikings.”

O.F.F.: “You mean?” B.F.: “If you had a chance to quarterback the winning Super Bowl team, wouldn’t you take it?”

O.F.F.: “Did you agree to play for the Vikings because of Coach Brad Childress?”

B.F.: “Coach Childress is a fine coach and I’m sure he will guide us as far as our ability will take us.”

O.F.F.: “You mean?”

B.F.: “No”

Old Foolish Fan had a chance to watch the Minnesota Twins’ recent games and spoke with Twins’ slugger Michael Cuddyer.

O.F.F.: “You are tearing the cover off the ball and hitting extremely well. What do you attribute this too?”

M.C.: “We all had to step up with the absence of Justin Morneau and I’ve settled into a hitting groove. The lower part of the lineup has also contributed greatly. My hitting has given me a great deal of satisfaction.”

O.F.F.: “You mean?”

M.C.: “I don’t know and I’m scared to think too much about it.”

Old Foolish Fan: “Tell me, Mr. Gardenhire, what do you think is contributing to the Twins’ recent fine play and how will it affect the Twins’ future?” Manager Ron Gardenhire: “I think it has been caused by the hard work of all concerned and I’m really pleased to see our success.”

O.F.F.: “You mean?”

R.G.: “Now, maybe Joe won’t leave.”