April 2019 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Twins GM Says Club in Test Mode

Posted on April 30, 2019April 30, 2019 by David Shama

The Minnesota Twins have an interesting schedule with home games going on now against the Houston Astros and starting on Friday in New York against the Yankees. Those two opponents are probably the best the Twins have played this season and are among the favorites to represent the American League in the World Series.

Twins general manager Thad Levine and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey will be scrutinizing how their club plays in this seven-game stretch that started last night with a 1-0 Minnesota win against Houston. “I think this is a great test for our team,” Levine told Sports Headliners yesterday.

The Twins earned one victory in three games against the Astros last week in Houston. Although the Twins won last night, they don’t have to come up with a winning record between now and next Monday to win Levine’s favor. “I think it’s how you play the game and how competitive we were in those games,” he said.

Levine will be looking at how the team responds not only on the field but in the clubhouse. He will talk to manager Rocco Baldelli and the coaches to get a “feel for the how team played.” He will also be evaluating individual player development in the two series.

While the GM said games against the Astros and Yankees won’t provide any “definitive conclusions” about the 2019 Twins, Levine will learn more about his 17-9 club that has won eight of its last 10 games. The Twins are among the surprise teams in the big leagues, although six of the wins have come against the woeful Baltimore Orioles.

The homer-happy Twins have started the season with momentum, particularly impressing with run-scoring. After last night’s 1-0 win and home run by Ehire Adrianza, Minnesota has 50 home runs this season—the most in franchise history through April 29.

Levine refers to home runs as the most “expeditious way to score” and the club’s front office was aggressive during the offseason in acquiring players who can hit with power. But the number that interests him the most is run differential. The Twins are a plus-28 against opponents and Levine said a club needs to be “at least in the 50 to 60 range” to end a season with over 90 wins and gain “playoff relevance.”

Falvey and Levine weren’t as active in the pitcher market during the offseason as they were in acquiring position players and DH specialist Nelson Cruz. However, the Twins did add closer Blake Parker who has been difficult for opponents to hit and already has saved six games for Minnesota. The front office also added starter Martin Perez who has won three games for the Twins.

While Levine is optimistic about his team, he looks at the 162-game schedule and knows there are 137 more games to be played. That’s a lot of baseball.

“I think on one side of the coin we are not drawing any conclusions,” he said. (“But) we are optimistic. We are encouraged by what we have seen. The reality is we have banked the wins right now. Every win counts the same. …”

Worth Noting

Minnesota native Matt Birk played center for 15 years in the NFL with the Vikings and Ravens. The former All-Pro said Vikings No. 1 draft choice Garrett Bradbury, the center from North Carolina State, held his own in college playing against Clemson’s famed defensive line that included three players drafted in the first round last week before Minnesota’s pick at No. 18 with Bradbury. “…Playing against that Clemson D-line, that’s probably as close as you can get to playing against an NFL front in college,” Birk told Sports Headliners.

Many positives have been written about Bradbury, but a concern of some observers is his relatively short arms, measuring 31 and ¾ inches. Arm length and extension are a factor in blocking pass rushers, but Birk isn’t one to go overboard regarding measureables.

Birk said, “Players come in all shapes and sizes. Everybody’s gotta kind of figure out their own style. He was obviously an effective player in college. At the end of the day, it’s can you block the guy you’re supposed to block? …”

Spring Lake Park alum and Blaine native E.J. Ejiya has signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. The North Texas linebacker was second in program history in career tackles for loss (40.5). He is the school leader in single season tackles for loss (25.0 in 2018), and he was a first team USA All-Conference selection in 2018.

Former Gopher basketball guard Keith Young, part of the 1972 Big Ten championship team, has self-published a print-on-demand book: Minnesota’s Big Ten Champions, Losing Is Worth Than Death. The 1972 team was a surprise champion and overcame significant obstacles including after the infamous Minnesota-Ohio State brawl.

The Minnesota United ownership group paid a $100 million MLS expansion fee and began play in the soccer league in 2017. Now the MLS is asking for $200 million for future expansion franchises because of the fast rising interest in professional soccer in the United States.

By comparison, the Minnesota Wild NHL expansion franchise cost $80 million in 1997. The Minnesota Timberwolves NBA expansion club cost $32.5 million in the late 1980s.

Advance wagering begins Thursday at Canterbury Park on the 145th Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. The most famous horse race in America is Saturday in Louisville, with post time at 5:50 p.m. CDT. Canterbury Park’s first two days of live racing will be Friday night and Saturday.

The Shakopee track’s 66-meet schedule will again be enhanced by promotions including non-wagering dog races in May (English Bulldogs), June (Basset Hounds), July (Wiener Dogs) and August (Corgis). Extreme Race Day featuring Ostrich and Camel races isn’t part of the promotional lineup this year.

The Gustavus Adolphus men’s tennis program hasn’t lost an MIAC regular season match since April, 1986. The Gusties have won 52 league titles including this year, and on Thursday will be in the conference’s playoffs against today’s (Tuesday) winner of the Macalester and Bethel match.

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Wild to Make “Noise” in Player Market

Posted on April 28, 2019April 28, 2019 by David Shama

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold is anticipating July 1, and the period when NHL teams can pursue free agents to help their teams.

Leipold told Sports Headliners he’s excited about the summer ahead and upgrading Minnesota’s talent pool. “For the first time in seven years we have some cash (payroll flexibility) to go out and get involved in unrestricted free agents,” he said. “You know we haven’t had money since (signing Ryan) Suter and (Zach) Parise. …”

The Wild, who missed the playoffs this spring after six straight years, had only two goal scorers with over 20 goals last season. Parise, who along with Suter signed $98 million deals in 2012, had 28 goals and Eric Staal scored 22. The Wild ranked 27th in the 31 team NHL in regular season goal scoring with 210, or about 2.5 per game.

Before the season ended, general manager Paul Fenton made payroll moves to create more flexibility, to spend money this summer to acquire one or two productive goal scorers. “We’re excited about that,” Leipold said.

The owner would welcome a 25-plus goal scorer. “They’re hard to come by and they are expensive,” Leipold said. “But there are some people out there like that and we’re anxious to talk to them.”

Leipold didn’t mention names but among those Minnesota seems certain to consider is former Edina and Notre Dame star Anders Lee of the New York Islanders. He scored 28 goals and had 23 assists last season, and becomes an unrestricted free agent in July.

Lee turns 29 that month and is in the prime of his career. He might command a new contract of $7 million or more per season not only for his offensive production but also because of his leadership.

Could the Wild sign even two premiere goal scorers? “It would be hard to get two premier goal scorers but I guess it defines what you mean by premiere,” Leipold said. “I mean if we have $12 million available to us this summer we can make some noise and that’s what we plan to do.”

What’s the likelihood of Minnesota coming up with at least one very productive forward? “I think the likelihood is very good. I think we will,” Leipold said. “Minnesota is a great place to play, and we have a lot going for us right now.

“We’ve got some really young players that would be appealing to anybody looking at coming to our team. And we have some experienced players that know how to do it, know how to win, and know how to play in the playoffs. We will be in a good place come this summer so I am excited about that.”

Worth Noting

Did Leipold labor over whether to retain Bruce Boudreau as coach after the Wild didn’t make the playoffs? “Not at all,” Leipold said. “Done deal.”

Leipold has a high regard for Boudreau who has coached the team for three seasons. “I like Bruce. I like the way he coaches,” Leipold said. “I think he’s got command of the players.

“Last year, I am not blaming Bruce on how things ended up. This is a tough league. I don’t know if everybody understands that. Only half the teams make it (into the playoffs). We got knocked out there at the end. But that happens.

“Look what’s happening (upsets) in the playoffs, this is completely crazy. There’s a lot of parity in this league.”

Ex-Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema had a blue-collar mentality when he played in the 1970s. He looks at players in the NFL Draft and sees impressive athletic skills, but not necessarily hard workers. “I would draft on work ethic alone, almost,” he told Sports Headliners.

What percent of players have a work ethic meeting Lurtsema’s expectations? “Not enough, I will tell you that. If I say 50 percent, I would be high.”

Lurtsema on Kirk Cousins, the Vikings’ $84 million quarterback: “The kid has a work ethic like you wouldn’t believe.”

Former Vikings center Matt Birk is a Renaissance man with his varied activities including public speaking, starting a new Catholic school in Burnsville and doing comedy at local venues for charity. Unity High School plans to open in the fall, and Birk will do his comedy act for a school fundraiser on May 4 at Royal Cliff in Eagan. Birk will perform at the Gasthof in Minneapolis May 3 for Teach for Christ.

During playing days with the Vikings, Birk owned two Minneapolis-St. Paul restaurants. He told Sports Headliners he’s not likely to go back into that business.

“No, never. (Well), never say never.”

The Twins try for a home sweep against the Orioles in today’s series finale at Target Field. Minnesota has won 11 straight over Baltimore dating back to last year.

Minnesota designated hitter Nelson Cruz is hitting .455, with four home runs and six RBI against the Orioles in five games this season.

The Twins have placed catcher Willians Astudillo on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, an injury he suffered yesterday afternoon running the bases. Astudillo has played in 16 games, hitting .327 (16-for-49) with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBI. The Twins recalled outfielder Jake Cave from Triple-A Rochester to replace Astudillo on the 25-man roster.

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Bradbury “Predictable” Pick by Vikings

Posted on April 26, 2019April 26, 2019 by David Shama

Former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema called it. Yesterday afternoon Lurtsema told Sports Headliners he thought the Vikings would use their No. 18 selection in the first round to draft North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury.

Bulls eye.

Lurtsema, for decades a savvy observer of the Vikings, didn’t have the inside word from GM Rick Spielman or anyone else as to who Minnesota was going to select last night in the opening round of the NFL Draft. Instead, he made an educated guess based on the club’s need to upgrade the offensive line, the high importance of the center position, and that drafting Bradbury gives the Vikings the option of switching Pat Elflein to guard.

“The center makes all your (line) calls,” Lurtsema said. “He will read opposing defenses, and he’s the one that will call out the blocking assignments.”

Elflein, now in his third season with the Vikings, played center last year but last night’s choice of Bradbury opens the possibility of a position switch for him. “That is not a negative on him,” Lurtsema said. “Sometimes a little move on good athletes makes a big difference.”

The Vikings are developing flexibility in their offensive line. Bradbury also played guard during his career at North Carolina State, and veteran guard Josh Kline, who the Vikings signed last month, has experience at center. That versatility is important Spielman said, “because if you do have a guy that does get hurt, you can move guys around.”

Spielman didn’t commit last night as to what position Bradbury will play but center seems most likely at least initially, and the GM was adamant about his newest player’s attributes. The 6-foot-3, 306 pound North Carolina native not only has size but is athletic. He started his college career as a tight end before becoming an all-conference guard and then winning the Rimington Trophy last year given to the nation’s top center.

Bradbury’s hands measure 10 ½ inches. Spielman said on KFAN Radio last night that Bradbury’s hands are larger than other offensive linemen in the draft. “The hand size is very important for an offensive center,” Spielman said.

Bradbury’s athleticism translates well to the zone blocking scheme the Vikings use. That was a major consideration in the club wanting him and so, too, is his intelligence. He scored well on the mental tests that are part of the draft process. “He was one of the highest guys in the draft in how he came out on those scores,” Spielman said on the radio.

Worth Noting

Think it’s glamorous work scouting college players? Scott Studwell, who is retiring as a Vikings college scout, said he’s spent 225 nights a year travelling. “I missed a lot of time with my kids and that is something I have to make up for (in retirement). I also owe it to my grandkids,” said Studwell who played for the Vikings from 1977-1990 and has worked in the front office since 1991.

Spielman said Studwell has been involved with drafting 230 players and a long list of them have earned NFL honors including All-Pro, Pro Bowl and All-Rookie. “You can’t replace a Scott Studwell in your organization.” Spielman said. “That’s an impossible task to do.”

Before Spielman was hired to run the Vikings football operations, owner Zygi Wilf asked Studwell about his friend. Studwell had ambitions about the same job. “I couldn’t tell him anything bad about Rick…,” said Studwell about Spielman who lives a couple of blocks from him in Eden Prairie.

Spielman is the No. 11 NFL GM, per a power ranking of league general managers put out last week by Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com. In the last four years the Vikings have twice missed the playoffs, but also won two NFC North Division titles and advanced once to the NFC Conference title game.

CORES attendees will hear about the Vikings when Pete Bercich speaks to the lunch group Thursday, May 9 at the Bloomington Event Center, 1114 American Blvd. The ex-Viking linebacker is a color analyst on radio for his former team, and he is also head football coach at Hill-Murray. For reservations and other information, contact Jim Dotseth by Monday, May 6, dotsethj@comcast.net.

Former Vikings center Matt Birk is among the speakers Saturday (tomorrow) at the “Grow the Game” conference at Roseville Area High School. The discussion and planning gathering is targeted at athletic directors, football coaches and leaders in youth football. More at Mnfootballcoaches.com.

Minnesota senator and 2020 presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar referenced her father’s struggles with alcoholism Monday night on CNN. Jim Klobuchar was one of the first beat reporters to cover the Vikings in the early 1960s and had a contentious relationship with coach Norm Van Brocklin. Klobuchar, 91, has been in recovery for years after a career that included being a reporter and columnist for Minneapolis newspapers.

With cold and threatening weather forecast for Saturday, promotional planners were on target months ago scheduling the Twins Plaid Flap Cap giveaway for tomorrow’s home game with the Orioles.

The 2022 Golden Gophers football schedule announced this week has the team playing its first five games at home for the first time since 1933, but only two of the last seven games will be in Minneapolis.

Condolences to Jim Robinson, the Minnesota Mr. Basketball chairman and longtime basketball referee, following the recent death of son Mark Robinson, 49, after a heart attack. The funeral is today (Friday).

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