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.

Mauer Critics Need to Accept Reality

Posted on August 15, 2014August 15, 2014 by David Shama

It’s time for the anti-Joe Mauer crowd to accept reality. Take a large chill pill and look at the truth.

Mauer is grossly overpaid at $23 million per season but don’t expect him to cut his own salary. Who does that?

The Twins gave him one of the richest contracts in baseball history in 2010 when he was fast-tracked for Cooperstown. Raise your hand if you thought it was a bad deal then? Nah. You probably didn’t and I didn’t either.

Back in 2009 Mauer was a superstar and Sports Illustrated cover guy. The thought of baseball’s best catcher—and the 2009 AL MVP—going to the Red Sox or Yankees made Twins fans puke. The Minnesota front office saw a three-time batting champion and hometown hero who needed to be the centerpiece in the new ballpark the club had invested millions of dollars in to build.

Nobody locally wanted to lose the 26-year-old box office magnet, and so Mauer received the most lucrative contract ever for a catcher. He and agent Ron Shapiro had mega leverage in the negotiations, and they capitalized with a $184 million contract that runs through 2018.

Mauer’s best years were before the new contract that was agreed to in 2010 and started in 2011. This season has been a disaster with puny offensive numbers that include a .276 average, three home runs and 30 RBI. The venom directed toward Mauer by critics is based on more than anemic 2014 production and the embarrassing salary. There is also his history of injuries with the latest career setback the strained oblique that caused him to miss games from July 2 until August 10.

Boo-birds rip Mauer for being hurt and out of the lineup so much over the years. It’s true he is hardly an Iron Man. If Mauer played in every remaining Twins game this season—hardly probable—his total for the year will be 122 out of 162 possible games. More likely this will be the third season in the last four that he has played in 120 games or less.

But get over the constant criticism about injures. Mauer is 31 and it’s obvious injuries and being out of the lineup is who he is.

By now we should all be pretty much authorities on Mauer who was moved from catcher to first baseman this season to lengthen his career after suffering a concussion in 2013. He is 6-foot-5 and weighs about 231 pounds—a big man who lacks home run power because his physical strength doesn’t match the physique. Also, he sends minimal balls over the fences because his batting style is to hit a lot of opposite field singles and doubles.

During the last five seasons, including this one, Mauer has 36 home runs—an average of 7.2 per year. During the same period he is averaging 53.4 RBI annually.

Get the point? Mauer isn’t and won’t be a home run man, although with better hitters in front of him in the batting order he could certainly produce more runs batted in. Moan if you will that in big league baseball a first baseman needs to be a power hitter when he makes the big bucks, but our guy is more likely to some day win a fourth batting title than hit 20 home runs. He does have a career .320 batting average and that’s better than some Cooperstown Hall of Famers. To his credit the career average is among the best in baseball since 1950, and often his on-base percentage has been outstanding.

The anti-Mauer crowd can also complain about Joe’s personality and perceived lack of clubhouse leadership. Mauer is soft-spoken and isn’t an assertive personality. You want a Torii Hunter in-your-face player in the clubhouse? Go get someone like that but don’t expect Mauer to be anybody but himself.

Critics who think about trading Mauer should know he isn’t likely to continue his career anywhere but in his home state. The Twins can’t trade Mauer without his approval, and maybe he could be tempted to join a club with realistic World Series ambitions. But this is home, with parents and other family here. This is where Mauer was married to local nurse Maddie Bisanz and the couple is raising their children in Minnesota.

If you wish, dream about the Twins having a season-ending meeting with Mauer where he agrees to train like never before in the offseason and emerge next spring as a home run hitter and clubhouse holler guy who tore up his contract in November so the Twins could use part of his old salary to sign expensive free agents.

I am not fantasizing that dream. But I do expect Mauer to hit better than .300 in a bounce back year in 2015 that could see him share time at first base with Kennys Vargas while the two also split the designated hitter role. Mauer will be 32 next May and maybe his body makes him an old 32 but the guess is he is far from done as a .300 hitter—and on a bad ballclub like the Twins that’s a major asset, and so, too, is having a good guy in the clubhouse who with more time will become a polished fielder at first base.

Part of the fans’ frustration with Mauer is driven by unhappiness with the team’s awful play for more than three seasons since winning the AL Central in 2010. It’s up to the front office to figure out how to finally make the Twins a winner again after four poor seasons. The club’s decision makers need to do that knowing Mauer’s rich salary can’t hold back the assignment and neither can his liabilities.

Mauer’s critics may want to back off him and direct full fire at the franchise’s leadership.

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U to Earn Praise with 8 Wins (Again)

Posted on August 13, 2014August 13, 2014 by David Shama

Mention the Gophers and their potential record in 2014 and be prepared to first hear the word schedule.

There is optimism about this year’s team being head coach Jerry Kill’s best in four seasons but the schedule is likely more difficult than in 2013. The Gophers were 8-5 last season, the program’s highest win total since the 10-3 in 2003.

“I would be happy if they won more than seven games,” said Darrell Thompson, the ex-Gopher who is the program’s all-time leading rusher and now analyzes the team on radio. “I think it’s going to be hard to win seven. If they won eight games this year I think it would be phenomenal. …”

Last year the Gophers had a pillow soft four-game nonconference schedule. There are three almost for sure nonleague wins this year but trouble could wait in Fort Worth on September 13 when the Gophers play TCU in what looks to be by far their most difficult game before the Big Ten season starts. Although the Horned Frogs were 4-8 last season, there are national forecasters who believe that the Big 12 team is slightly better than the Gophers.

In 2013 the Gophers played four top 25 teams, losing to Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin, but did defeat Nebraska. Minnesota also lost to much improved Iowa, and defeated Northwestern, a team that was highly regarded in the preseason. So the 2013 schedule, which included the Texas Bowl loss to Syracuse, was hardly a yawner for the Gophers and it remains to be seen if the 2014 lineup of opponents is better.

The addition of TCU to the schedule helps make the argument Minnesota will face a more difficult schedule in 2014. Then, too, the Gophers will play five top 30 programs based on preseason forecasts—Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Only the Iowa and Ohio State games are at home. The end of the schedule requires a deep breath because in its last four games of the season Minnesota hosts the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes, then plays at Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Kill and the Gophers have ambitions that include competing for the Big Ten championship. Whether they are ready to do that in 2014 will be determined by several factors including if opponents with lofty expectations are for real. Even if they are, can they avoid key injuries? If the Gophers have better fortune in keeping high impact starters on the field than some opponents, that alone could help with an upset or two against favored Big Ten rivals.

Thompson said the Gophers need to consistently take advantage of opportunities in their big games such as turnovers and field position. “You capitalize, you win,” he said. “Otherwise it’s going to be a long year.”

What’s also paramount for success is making plays offensively. Winning teams are offensively efficient and also able to create explosive plays. Thompson believes the Gophers have sufficient talent to make that all a can-do. “We’ve got enough playmakers,” Thompson said.

In Big Ten games last season Minnesota’s defense ranked No. 5 giving up 23.5 points per game and there is optimism the unit will be better this fall. Offensively, though, Minnesota was eighth in rushing among 12 conference teams, No. 11 in total offense and last in passing, but Thompson and others expect improvement in 2014.

“I like the offensive line a lot,” Thompson said. “I think the running back corps is as strong as it’s been since the (Laurence) Maroney, (Marion) Barber era (early to mid-2000s). Maybe not quite the high end we had with those guys, but damn good backs. I like the quarterback and I like some of the backups.”

Redshirt tight end Maxx Williams might be the Big Ten’s best pass receiver at his position and Gophers fans could start worrying now whether he will eventually leave school early for the NFL Draft. Starting quarterback Mitch Leidner will also have a group of promising young wide receivers led by sophomores Donovhan Jones and Drew Wolitarsky and freshman Melvin Holland.

Senior running back David Cobb, who rushed for 1,202 yards last season, is backed up by experienced runners Donnell Kirkwood (senior) and Rodrick Williams (junior), and perhaps the team’s most explosive player, redshirt freshman Berkley Edwards who may see even more playing time at wide receiver.

In early practices this month the offense has struggled to score points including near the goal line. In the days ahead and leading up to the season opener at home August 28 against Eastern Illinois the Gophers will need to improve. “Our defense plays their tails off for us,” Cobb said. “When we get down in the red zone, we have to make those opportunities count.”

There is that word again—opportunities. Keep it in mind when thinking about that other word–schedule.

Worth Noting

Playing a major role, too, in the Gophers success will be the team’s punting, kickoffs and placekicking. During the early days of practice Kill was satisfied.

“That part is the least of our problems right now,” Kill said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “Sometimes it’s been a problem. I just hope that we do it on game day because…the talent’s there.”

Kill and staff will be thinking during the next three to four weeks about freshmen to be redshirted. Because of injuries, though, the complete list won’t be determined until the third or fourth game.

Among the freshmen likely to play the most minutes is defensive tackle Steven Richardson from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago. Richardson, generously listed at 6 feet, might have been too short for many major college recruiters but Kill trusts Mount Carmel coach and long-time contact Frank Lenti.

“Frank Lenti tells you someone can play, then he can play,” Kill said. “If he tells you I don’t know, you gotta wait, then you wait. …He’s never steered me wrong.”

Jordan lynch became a Heisman Trophy candidate playing for Northern Illinois after his career at Mount Carmel. Kill brought Lynch to Northern but had concerns about the quarterback’s potential. Lenti didn’t. “He chewed my tail end out and I believe he’s right on that one too,” Kill said.

The August 11 issue of Sports Illustrated is a celebration of the magazine’s 60th anniversary. Among the features is “The Best Years Ever” featuring five 12-month periods the magazine praised as “the most thrilling.” Among the choices is 1991, partially because S.I. said “the Twins won the greatest World Series ever.”

Aaron Hicks played in 48 games while batting .198 for the Twins this season before being demoted to AA New Britain. The center fielder hit .297 at New Britain in 43 games and was promoted recently to AAA Rochester where he is batting .235 in five games. With rookie Danny Santana’s future at shortstop and not center field for the Twins, there is still a window for the 24-year-old Hicks but it might be closing fast.

No doubt the Twins and all of major league baseball are watching the experiment of the independent Atlantic League that recently implemented rules changes to speed up games. Key changes include limiting the number of warmup pitches and issuing automatic intentional walks. Baseball could benefit too from having umpires enforce any existing rule that impacts the pace and length of games.

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Smith Shadow Still Relevant to Wolves

Posted on August 11, 2014August 11, 2014 by David Shama

Remember forward Joe Smith? You can be sure the Timberwolves do, and his shadow could be hanging over the rumored trade with Cleveland—for both the Cavs and Minnesota.

The Timberwolves were punished years ago by the NBA for signing Smith to a contract in violation of the league’s salary cap. Glen Taylor was the Timberwolves owner and had to live through a difficult period when his franchise wasn’t allowed annual first round draft choices because of a league reprimand.

Today Taylor still owns the Timberwolves and media reports indicate his club has agreed to trade All-Star forward Kevin Love to Cleveland on or shortly after August 23. Andrew Wiggins, the overall No. 1 pick in last June’s NBA Draft, will be eligible to be traded by the Cavs on that date—30 days after he signed his rookie contract. The Wolves will also reportedly receive another Cavs forward, Anthony Bennett, and a future No. 1 draft choice.

Basketball fans are convinced this trade will happen. But the deal would later be vetoed by the NBA if there were any violation of league trade rules prior to August 23—involving teams or players including Love. In addition to the Smith fiasco, the league has some history of taking assertive action with trades.

It doesn’t take any assumption to believe Taylor and the Wolves don’t want a problem. During an interview with Sports Headliners last week Taylor insisted no trade involving Love has been agreed to and multiple trade partners are in the mix.

Taylor described August 23 as a “trigger point day” with the Cavs or another club. “I think it (the trade) could come together in one or two days,” Taylor said. “We could give ourselves until October 1 (early days of training camp) but I don’t really see it falling that way.”

Taylor said Cleveland, Chicago, Golden State and Philadelphia have been involved with trade talks. Love has made it known he wants to be traded rather than re-sign with the Wolves when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Taylor gave the impression that on August 23 or 24 the Wolves might allow teams one final and best offer for the coveted 25-year-old power forward. A Love trade could also involve a third team—one that would send a power forward to the Wolves.

Worth Noting

The Wolves are on the spot to sign point guard Ricky Rubio—their No. 2 box office attraction after Love—to a contract extension. Rubio isn’t half the player Love is but he has plenty of upside and few NBA players have his flair in the open court.

With former Washburn four-star running back Jeff Jones now admitted to Minnesota it is certain he will not attend Iowa Western Community College even if the NCAA doesn’t grant him eligibility to play for the Gophers this year. Jones and the Gophers are awaiting word on an appeal made to the NCAA about whether Jones can be academically eligible in 2014. Even if Jones isn’t eligible this year he can work on his grades as a freshman at the University and become eligible for 2015, whereas if he attends Iowa Western he will need to earn a two-year degree before gaining eligibility to play for a FBS school.

Former Gophers coach Jim Dutcher arranged a lunch last week that included ex-Gophers Randy Breuer, Flip Saunders and Jim Petersen. Also attending was Dutcher’s son, Brian Dutcher, a University of Minnesota alum and now associate head coach at San Diego State.

Jim Dutcher coached 11 seasons at Minnesota and was also head coach for six years at Eastern Michigan. In each of those 17 seasons he always had a center that went on to play in the NBA including Breuer and Petersen.

A look at Sports Illustrated’s fantasy rankings of NFL players from the magazine’s August 4 issue could put a scare in Vikings fans. The Vikings gave up 480 points last season, the most in the NFL, and improvement will be needed to slow down all the offensive weapons in the NFC North.

In the fantasy rankings of quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers from the Packers is ranked No. 1 while the Lions’ Matthew Stafford is No. 4 and the Bears’ Jay Cutler is No. 11. Vikings’ rookie Teddy Bridgewater is ranked No. 28 among 32 quarterbacks listed.

Calvin Johnson of the Lions is No. 1 among wide receivers with the Bears’ Brandon Marshall No. 2. The Packers’ Jordy Nelson is No. 6 and fellow wideout Randall Cobb No. 10. The top Viking is Cordarrelle Patterson at No. 25. Minnesota’s Kyle Rudolph is the highest ranked NFC North tight end at No. 10.

Four players from the division are in the top 15 among running backs with Matt Forte from the Bears No. 2, the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson No. 3, the Packers’ Eddie Lacy No. 5 and Reggie Bush of the Lions No. 15.

Anthony Barr, the former UCLA linebacker who was the Vikings’ top first round pick with the No. 9 selection this spring, was rated the best athlete in the country coming out of high school in Los Angeles by prep recruiting authority Tom Lemming. Barr started in the 10-6 win over the Raiders in the Vikings’ first preseason game last Friday night.

Adam Thielen, who signed with the Vikings as a free agent last year and played on the practice squad, made an impression Friday as a receiver, punt returner and special teams tackler. The former Minnesota State player attended Detroit Lakes High School where he not only played football but was on the Lakers’ state championship golf team as a senior.

Trevor May’s name is on the Twins’ blueprint for a winning future so the right-hander’s pitching debut Saturday against the Athletics was disappointing. He lasted only two innings and walked seven batters in an apparently nervous debut. At Triple-A Rochester the 25-year-old made 17 starts for the Red Wings, going 8-6 with a 2.93 ERA (95.1 innings pitched, 31 earned runs) and 91 strikeouts and only 37 walks.

Minneapolis area resident and former pro tennis star David Wheaton has a book coming out called, My Boy, Ben. It’s the story of Wheaton’s close companionship with a yellow lab by that name.

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