Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Twins Execs Need Win-Now Mentality

Posted on July 11, 2019July 11, 2019 by David Shama

The ninth inning performance of New York Yankees super reliever Aroldis Chapman in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game should have sent a message to Twins fans. Chapman, with his dominating fast ball, struck out the side to preserve the American League’s 4-3 win.

If the Twins are to qualify for the postseason and have a chance against baseball’s “big boys,” they need to make quality additions to the pitching staff. Minnesota leads major league teams in multiple hitting statistics including most home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage. Minnesota is tied with the Red Sox for the best team batting average at .272. The Twins’ gaudy offensive production is exciting to watch and at times has dominated opponents but adding big contributors to the starting and relief pitching staffs should be a must-do for the front office.

The Twins have a window of opportunity this season they can’t count on in 2020 or beyond. The kind of production the Twins have from their position players (including defense) isn’t something to expect every year. Front office execs Derek Falvey and Thad Levine are reportedly focused on adding pitchers and rightfully so because the franchise needs to maximize this season not only for themselves but for the fans.

The Twins drew less than 2 million fans to Target Field last season, with the lowest total attendance since the outdoor ballpark opened in 2010. Season ticket numbers have declined for awhile now. The Twins went into this season facing an apathetic fan base but the excitement of a power hitting club and first place position in the Central Division has brought both loyalists and the curious to Target Field in large numbers as of late.

The franchise has a longtime reputation of allegedly not being willing to spend money on players the way rivals do. Former GM Terry Ryan was a sharp baseball mind but seemed to be a conservative spender. The club has long maintained ownership is willing to spend additional and sometimes mid-season payroll dollars to attract talent that can put the club in the best position to contend.

Well, now comes an extraordinary opportunity with evidence mounting the Twins will need to upgrade the pitching to stay out front in the division. Minnesota was 15-12 in June and so far in July has lost a series to the Oakland Athletics and won one against the Texas Rangers. The Twins’ only rival for the division title, the Cleveland Indians, have cut Minnesota’s lead from double digits to 5.5 games. While the Indians have won six consecutive games and seven of their last 10, the Twins have been challenged with a run of injuries to key players including staff ace Jake Odorizzi and an overall pitching shortage.

In perhaps the most anticipated match-up of the season so far, the Twins play a three-game series in Cleveland starting tomorrow night. When everyone looks in the “rear view mirror” in September, the results could be seen as one of the key weekends for both teams.

Worth Noting

The Twins’ total of 166 home runs is the most in baseball history before the All-Star Game break. They have a .497 slugging percentage, fourth-best in baseball history prior to the break.

The club’s offensive production has headlined a “fireworks show” in major league baseball that has been attributed to hitters swinging for distance and the manufacture of long ball friendly baseballs. Multiple sluggers are in contention to reach the hallowed ground of 60 home runs or more. That prospect is a jolt to baseball purists who have mourned the rewriting of baseball records during the steroid and alleged juiced ball eras of the past.

Former Twins manager Paul Molitor told Sports Headliners he doesn’t want to “diminish some of the things people (hitters) are doing” but he is certainly aware of baseball’s power surge. “…It sure seems like some pretty funny swings at some pretty tough pitches are going a long way by some guys that don’t look like they would overpower a baseball,” he said.

There is no reason to anticipate a change in hitting headlines after the All-Star break. “It’s flying (the balls),” Molitor said. “Doesn’t matter where, what city, what ball park, we’re seeing record numbers and I don’t think that’s going to change at all during the second half.”

Longtime WCCO TV sports anchor Mark Rosen retired in January but continues to be heard on KFAN Radio. “It’s very liberating to be home at night,” Rosen told Sports Headliners. “I haven’t missed it (TV) for a minute. I really haven’t. It’s been great to be home. I keep more than my toe in the water with KFAN and got some big stuff coming up with the Vikings.”

Being at home more allows Rosen to spend more time with his wife of more than 40 years. Denise is dealing with cancer. “It’s a battle,” Rosen said. “Check ups every six to eight weeks with MRI. That’s the only way we know what’s happening. Other than fatigue, she is doing real well right now. That’s all we can do. We’ve got trips planned and really just doing day-by-day. ”

Goldy’s Locker Room has partnered with Karen Kaler (wife of former University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler) to publish a children’s book featuring Goldy Gopher. The book, including 47 photos, follows the popular mascot on a journey around the University as he explores various fields of study. Goldy discovers that with hard work he can be anything he wants when he grows up. Author proceeds, royalties and licensing fees from book sales support the Goldy Gopher Enhancement Fund benefiting future Goldys.

Karen Kaler dedicated the book to all the Goldys at the U throughout the years. “I was very fortunate to get to work with Goldy Gopher to tell his story,” she said in a news release statement. “Goldy and I both love children, so we want them to understand that studying and learning are important.”

The book is only available at Goldy’s Locker Room stores throughout the Twin Cities and online at goldyslockerroom.com.

Basketball is a lucrative sport at Duke where former Apple Valley star Tre Jones will be a sophomore starter in the fall. A Duke fan emailed that a public season ticket costs $2,660, plus a minimum donation of $8,000.

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Humble Baldelli Makes Big Impression

Posted on July 9, 2019July 9, 2019 by David Shama

As Major League Baseball pauses this week for its annual All-Star Game break, the Minnesota Twins are the surprise team of the American League with over half of their 162-game schedule completed. At 56-33 the Twins have the third best record in the AL and lead the Central Division by 5.5 games over the Cleveland Indians.

Before the season began no one thought the Twins, who finished with a 78-84 record last season, would have more than 50 wins at the All-Star break. If there was such an honor as Mid-Season American League Manager of the Year, the award would likely go to Minnesota’s Rocco Baldelli.

Last fall at age 37 he became the youngest manager in the majors. Twins front office executives Derek Falvey and Thad Levine gambled their reputations last year by firing Paul Molitor, a Minnesota sports icon and the 2017 AL Manager of the Year. Baldelli had four previous years as a coach for the Tampa Rays but no managerial experience on any level.

Falvey didn’t hesitate when asked if Baldelli would receive his vote if there were a contest to name a Manager of the Year in July. “In my opinion, of course,” Falvey told Sports Headliners. “He’s been everything we could have asked for and more.

“And I think he’d be the first person to tell you there’s five other guys (managers) he’d vote for…because that’s his humility. That’s what he cares about. …What I get to see inside (of Baldelli) is even more special than what he does on the outside. I am really proud that we have him.”

Falvey, the Twins chief baseball officer, was aware of Baldelli’s humility before he hired him and saw that attribute among several that would make the former big league outfielder an outstanding leader. “I (also) saw…a guy who had done a lot of things in baseball. He hadn’t managed yet but he’d been an All-Star player, he’d been a key prospect, he’d had his career cut short by adversity.

“This guy had faced some challenges in his life, but he was also a great coach. He had impacted young players, he had impacted veteran players, and he does it all with an intense humility. So I think that what I saw in him more than anything was just a true leader. Someone who has all the leadership capabilities that in my mind you could see translating into the role of manager, even though he hadn’t done it yet.”

The Twins are a diverse group with players from the United States and other places. They are a mix of young and older players, many of whom are new to the organization. And yet collectively the Twins appear to be an all-for-one bunch that has rapport and celebrates each other’s success. Player leaders like 39–year-old DH Nelson Cruz have played important roles in the culture, but of course Baldelli has as well.

Falvey knows his manager not only relates very well to his players, but to everyone else in the organization including scouts, analysts and front office personnel. “He can interact with anybody but he also has the strength of his convictions,” Falvey said. “I think he believes in certain things around the game, the way it needs to be played. I think it (Baldelli’s convictions) lines up really well with our organization and what our collective views are in terms of our values for our baseball team, and I couldn’t be happier with what he has done.”

Baldelli played seven seasons in the majors, six with the Rays and one with the Boston Red Sox. In 2003 he finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. The first-year outfielder hit .289, the highest average of any rookie in the league.

Baldelli missed the entire 2005 season due to elbow and knee surgeries. Injuries limited the rest of his career and he retired as a player at age 29 in 2010.

The Twins play with the fight and determination Baldelli demonstrated as a player–persevering through injuries and winning close games. That kind of character prompts Falvey to be optimistic his club can continue its success in the second half of the season.

“We play every game like it’s our last,” Falvey said. “We try and win every night. We’re not going to win them all. We know that, but I truly believe that if we continue to play the way we’ve been playing, we’re going to put ourselves in a great position late in the season.”

Worth Noting

Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco represents the Twins as the starting American League shortstop in tonight’s All-Star Game in Cleveland. Polanco, who turned 26 last week, is having the best start yet to his still brief MLB career, and he ranks fifth in AL batting average at .312.

Former Twins manager Paul Molitor gave Polanco opportunities to establish himself as the club’s starting shortstop in 2017 and 2018. Molitor also worked in the Twins organization prior to managing and he has been familiar with Polanco’s potential for about a decade.

“I knew that there was a chance that he was going to do some special things offensively,” Molitor told Sports Headliners. “You know, when we signed him as a 16-year-old kid, everyone talked about his defense, and his hands, and all those type of things. But as it has turned out, he has been more than adequate defensively…(and) one of the elite players offensively in the American League.”

It will be a surprise if Tyus Jones is on the Timberwolves roster by week’s end. Gersson Rosas, the club’s president of basketball operations, must soon match a reported qualifying offer of three years and $28 million from the Memphis Grizzlies for Jones, or lose the restricted free agent. The Wolves, who likely believe $28 million is too pricey for the Minnesota native point guard, seem likely to let Jones leave Minneapolis after four years with the NBA club unless they sign him with intentions of packaging him in a trade.

Wolves head coach Ryan Saunders has known Jones since he was in high school at Apple Valley. Although Jones has been a backup in the NBA with the Wolves, it seemed possible that his role could expand under Saunders, partially because of their solid relationship. But it’s Rosas, not Saunders, who is making the ultimate decisions regarding personnel.

At about 6-feet and under 200 pounds, Jones is undersized as a pro and defense certainly isn’t his strength. But among his attributes is making big plays when games are about to be decided. It’s the same ability he showed in high school and college at Duke. In the right organization, like the San Antonio Spurs who are legendary for their team concept or the Los Angeles Lakers where he could be a complementary piece to superstars, Jones would be valuable.

The University of Minnesota sent emails yesterday introducing the Gopher Pass for home football games. Priced at $28.56 per game, the all-mobile ticket allows “viewpoints” in TCF Bank Stadium for each of Minnesota’s seven home games. If a game is sold out, Gopher Pass purchasers will not have a seat in the stadium but will have access to a standing room only area. Four monthly payments of $49.99 are offered for what is being promoted as the “most flexible ticket ever” for Gophers football fans.

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Tiger Could Be in Future 3M Open

Posted on July 7, 2019July 7, 2019 by David Shama

Tiger Woods declined to participate in the inaugural 3M Open that ends today at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. Will he play here in future years?

John Harris, the former University of Minnesota golfer who is now seen occasionally on the PGA Tour Champions for seniors, believes so. Harris, 67, is a friend of the legendary Woods who has won 15 majors including the 2019 Masters. Harris has provided assistance this year to Hollis Cavner, whose tournament management company has a seven-year commitment from the PGA to make Minnesota an annual tour stop.

Woods hasn’t played in a tournament since the U.S. Open ended June 16. Harris told Sports Headliners it is important to Woods to spend time with his two children in early July. Although there has been no announcement, there is speculation the 3M Open’s future dates will be later in the summer than this year. Harris said Cavner offered ideas to Woods about how he could show the kids a memorable time including summer camp and being entertained at the Mall of America.

“He (Cavner) had promised Tiger that his kids would have the greatest week of the summer right here in Minnesota,” Harris said. “So unfortunately, it didn’t work this year but I am convinced he will be here before the 3M run is over.”

Woods would have maximized interest and attendance at the first 3M Open. Did Cavner come close in securing participation by golf’s biggest name? ” Very, very close,” Harris claimed. “And you know what? I think that if Tiger was going to play at any time between the U.S. Open and the British Open it would have been in Minneapolis.”

The British Open will be played July 18-21 at Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. Much of the golf world’s eyes will, as usual, be on Woods. “He is single-handedly carrying the game right now,” Harris said. “You know what? It’s not really fair but that’s the way it is, and he can’t play every week. He’s gotta protect his body. I think his priorities are still the majors and the world events. He has not been to Portrush, so going to Portrush and preparing for this British Open is high on his list right now.”

Woods is 43 years old and his win at the Masters was his first majors championship in 11 years, brining his career total to 15. As even casual golf fans know, he is chasing Jack Nicklaus’ majors record of 18 titles.

“He played hard before the Masters and I think there is a tremendous let down after winning the Masters (in April),” Harris said. “I think his body kind of shut down a little bit, and he needs to re-energize and get himself ready to go. I think he views this Portrush golf course as a real opportunity to win a major.”

Harris is a native of Roseau, and like other Minnesotans, he obviously wishes Woods was here for the 3M Open. He talked about how Woods “would bring a lot of people to the gate” (and help his friend Cavner). “…He makes every event go from great to a huge success,” Harris said. “I think he wanted to be here and he will come at some point over the course of this event.”

In 1993 Harris won the U.S. Amateur Championship at age 41. Woods won the next three amateurs. The two also played together on a U.S. Walker Cup team. Harris has played in three PGA Tour Champions events this year and is likely to play in more.

Taste Fore the Tour

Before the 3M Open competition started last week, the first-ever Taste Fore the Tour debuted at Interlachen Country Club in Edina as part of a national charity culinary series created to raise awareness and donations for hunger relief causes. Founder Wayne Kostroski told Sports Headliners the event raised enough money to provide 1 million meals for the Bloomington-based Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People organization.

VEAP is efficient at feeding the hungry and Kostroski, the Minneapolis philanthropist who led last week’s fundraiser along with his son Pete Kostroski and golf’s Sir Nick Faldo, said the organization can make $20 create 120 meals. A short-term goal now is to raise $30,000 from the public who can make donations via the link TasteForeTheTour.com (see Tee Off Against Hunger).

At Interlachen guests enjoyed food prepared by celebrity chefs including Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel fame, and chatted up well-known Minnesota sports figures such as Joe Mauer, Rick Spielman, Paul Molitor, Jason Zucker and P.J. Fleck. They were all in good spirits Monday night because of the cause.

“When you’re here in the United States, no one should ever go hungry with all the resources and everything we have here,” said Spielman, the Vikings general manager. “So to come out here…to promote that is something that is very important.”

Helping the needy has been on Wayne Kostroski’s mind for a long time. His mom set an example when he was a child, loading up a bag of food and sending it to a church or local food bank. “Every good fiber in my body is from my mom,” he said.

Back in the 1980s Kostroski started sending chefs from his Minneapolis restaurants to charity events. He realized there are so many individuals who would never be restaurant customers at his restaurants but needed help. “They’re struggling just to get their next meal,” he said.

That’s why in the early 1990s Kostroski started the annual Taste of the NFL fundraisers responsible for providing over 200 million meals for the hungry. With one in six Americans going hungry, Kostroski said, there is certainly a need for events like Taste of the NFL and Taste Fore the Tour, the initiative that successfully launched several days ago. “This is Minnesota great,” he said of the event’s premiere.

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