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.

Golden Gophers Sit Tight on Ben Johnson’s Contract

Posted on June 11, 2024June 11, 2024 by David Shama

There has been postseason anticipation about Ben Johnson’s contract as University of Minnesota head men’s basketball coach. That suspense goes back to late March when Johnson’s Golden Gophers posted the best record in his three seasons of leading the program at his alma mater.

Athletic director Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners there will be no changes in Johnson’s contract this offseason. The deal has three years remaining (ends April 30, 2027) and Coyle believes longer contracts are a thing of the past because of the flux in rosters with basketball players and other athletes coming and going. The transfer portal and influence of NIL money can change rosters on a dime.

Minnesota will have two returning starters, Dawson Garcia and Mike Mitchell Jr., from the 2023-2024 team that finished 9-11 in Big Ten regular season games and 19-15 overall. The conference record was good for ninth place in the 14-team league standings.

That was a major improvement over Johnson’s first two seasons when his teams had consecutive last place conference finishes and a combined 6-33 league record. That prompted public criticism of Johnson during his first experience as a head coach after being a career assistant college coach at Minnesota and elsewhere.

“We made great, great strides,” Coyle said during an interview at his campus office. “I’ve talked to Ben about if we go .500 in conference play, we’re going to be in the NCCA Tournament more times than not if you play a decent nonconference schedule.

“So, our goal is to continue to support Ben and help him take the next step. I think Ben is very excited about the roster he brought in. A lot of thanks to (program booster) Bob Klas and the people that support our NIL initiative. …Ben is in a really good spot, so we did not do a contract extension.”

The Gophers—who are bringing in eight new players including six transfers—lost three starters with remaining eligibility from last season’s team. It’s believed Pharrel Payne and Elijah Hawkins left for more lucrative NIL money. Cam Christie is pursuing the NBA Draft.

Coyle said Johnson and other coaches are in his office on a regular basis to discuss NIL. Working with the Dinkytown Athletes collective, the Athletic Department has seen a surge in money benefiting athletes from many sports since DA started almost two years ago. Coyle didn’t offer a figure as to how much money Johnson has had to work with in 2024 but an informed estimate by Sports Headliners is “north” of $1 million.

“I don’t think we know what our peers are at,” Coyle said. “You hear rumors what our peers are at but then you see them lose two or three starters, too.”

Money is a centerpiece of Johnson’s responsibilities. A Big Ten contending team in this market could command among the higher ticket prices in college hoops and those revenues would shoulder a big load in a department where the only programs making money are football, men’s basketball and men’s hockey.

The Gophers averaged 8,139 in home attendance last season, ranking 12^th in the Big Ten. That was down from 9,451 the previous year.

A spokesman from the Athletic Department emailed that the Gophers made $5 million from men’s basketball this past year. The potential, he said, was to make $2 million more.

On a side topic, a visitor asked Coyle about the disruption of play by TV commercials during major college basketball games including in the Big Ten. Combined with frequent timeouts by coaches, there are almost constant stoppages of play.

Coyle, who is a member of the Division I Basketball Committee, remembered a game in 2024 where the teams played through two designated media timeouts because nothing happened to stop the game clock. A price was paid, though, when the timeouts finally came. In about a five-minute span the action on the floor consisted of a couple of free throws.

Coyle said “we need to have that conversation” about the disruption in flow of men’s college games.

Worth Noting

Christie, who played one season as a freshman for the Gophers, doesn’t turn 19 until July 24. If he is drafted later this month by an NBA team it will almost certainly be in the second round.

This what NBA.com, courtesy of RotoWire, said about the younger brother of Lakers reserve Max Christie: “Christie stands out due to his energy and shooting ability but needs to devote more time to improving on the defensive end of the court to reach his ceiling. Don’t be surprised if he starts his career in the G League. Given the similarity of traits, Christie could end up having a similar career to his brother.”

Richard Pitino, who preceded Johnson as Gophers coach, received an extension this spring that will pay him $1.2 million next season and rise to $1.4 million in 2028-2029, the last year of the contract. When Pitino started his career as Minnesota coach in 2013 his compensation was $1.2 million.

As of yesterday, Stub.com listed some tickets for more than $1200 each for the Lynx’s home game July 14 against phenom Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

Don’t be surprised if the Timberwolves, Twins and Wild band together to televise their games next fall and beyond after the fallout this spring between Comcast Xfinity and Bally Sports resulted in no Twins games on local cable TV.

It was a spirited and heartfelt tribute yesterday for the late Jim Carter at 7 Vineyards and Winery in Dellwood. Nicknamed “Hurricane” while at the University of Minnesota playing football and hockey in the late 1960s, the South St. Paul native was a fierce competitor in sports, business and life. He was a dedicated friend to many people including those in recovery from addiction.

Close pal and Gopher football teammate Bob Stein was among those speaking at the celebration of life for Carter who passed away in November from cancer. Stein recalled Carter not liking a penalty call in a hockey game and storming out on to the ice with a chair in hand. A game official recognized Stein who was seated near the ice, and asked for an intervention with the 6-4, 250-pound Carter. “Are you crazy?” Stein said.

Stein, a defensive end, and Carter, a fullback, faced each other one-on-one many times in practice drills. Stein likened it yesterday to Bighorn Rams butting heads in the popular Dodge Ram TV commercials. He said after the drills both players would go back to the frat house with headaches, and then rest while needing to get ready for that evening’s party.

Stein spoke of Carter’s “humility,” interest in others and their welfare, saying it didn’t matter what a person’s stature in life was, he wanted to know about you. Emcee Dick Jonckowski recalled that several years ago Carter approached him and said he heard the Gophers baseball public address man had cancer. Carter asked Jonckowski about the financial impact on his life and he acknowledged there was uncertainty. Not long after a check from Carter arrived in the mail.

Former teammates and other friends were in attendance including ex-South St. Paul goalie Gaylen Bicking who played with Carter. He told the gathering that while efforts haven’t been successful yet, the will is there to name the South St. Paul High School football facility after the former Packers great: Ettinger Field at Jim Carter Stadium.

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The Amazing Mr. Lewis: ‘As Positive as They Come’

Posted on June 9, 2024June 9, 2024 by David Shama

An interviewer referred to Twins wunderkind Royce Lewis as the “amazing Mr. Lewis” last week when talking to Minnesota president of baseball operations Derek Falvey. This was the morning after the third baseman and hitter extraordinaire homered in his return to the lineup after more than a two-month absence with his right quadriceps strain.

“It never ceases to amaze you when he has these moments, when he hasn’t played in two months and he keeps going,” Falvey said Wednesday morning after Lewis’ performance.

Lewis was injured in the team’s March 28 season opener, a game in which he was two-for-two at the plate, including a home run. Then in his return last Tuesday night he walked twice and hit a home run. Add it up, Falvey pointed out, and his 25-year-old star didn’t make an out in his first five plate appearances of the season.

Now the baseball world is watching to see if Lewis will experience more than a curtain call this season. ACL injuries, a troublesome hamstring and oblique and quad strains have sidelined him during his professional career that began with the Twins drafting him No. 1 in 2017. In three regular seasons of work with the Twins, he has only played in 75 games and had 272 plate appearances.

But what a brief resume he has compiled! In an era where .300 averages are difficult, his career mark is .309, plus an attention grabbing 20 home runs and a .937 OPS. He has homered about 13 times per plate appearance and that’s among the best in MLB history for a minimum of 250 at bats.

And there are unforgettable moments such as last October when he became the third player in MLB history to homer in his first two postseason at bats. He set the stage for the dramatic during the regular season by hitting four grand slams in a 20-game span as he helped the Twins win the AL Central Division title.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-handed hitting, right-handed throwing California native is a poster boy for the age old five-tool definition of a baseball player: speed, power, hitting average, fielding and arm strength. Yet, there is something else almost as intriguing about Lewis and that is his attitude toward life including its perils.

Lewis has consistently confronted the health issues in his life with an attitude that could make Mother Teresa proud. “He’s as positive as they come,” Falvey said. “When he’s been rehabbing, I’ve been shocked by it and there have been moments where candidly I have said to him, it’s okay to feel bad…to be a little disappointed in what you’re dealing with. And he does certainly (do that) in quiet moments, I am sure.

“But at the same time, what he does such a tremendous job with is focusing on the things that he can control—which is how do I go about my rehab? How do I take care of today? How do I get myself on a better track? Ultimately, every day he focuses on that. …”

Falvey admitted “sometimes we have to push and say, hey, Royce, I am not sure you’re as honest about this as you think you are. We know him well enough at this point to push him on that.”

Lewis dedicated the offseason to flexibility and movement training, only to be confronted with another physical setback on opening day. Falvey said: “He and I talked about it in spring training, and he felt like he was running as well as he ever had, knowing that he had dealt with some of these issues before. …”

Despite hard work and the best of intentions, there doesn’t seem to be an explanation for the Lewis health misfortunes. There was, for example, due diligence by various authorities trying to find the cause of the quad strain while running to third base.

“I wish we could (explain it),” Falvey said. “We tried. Everyone looked at it. You know, obviously watched a lot of video. Watched how he kind of hit second base (before running to third on his hit). Felt like one of those freak injuries that you don’t really anticipate because just a week before in spring training he had gone hard first to third in almost the exact same manner. …”

After all the Lewis mishaps it’s human nature to wonder about whether he has a freaky susceptibility to injuries. Falvey said Lewis isn’t any more tightly wound in his muscles than peers and that everyone is a little different in their makeup. There have been different causes, different issues with the setbacks. “He’s a tremendously strong and flexible kid,” Falvey said about the player who has had advice on everything from strength building to hydration to flexibility to nutrition.

Lewis has the sort of talent, determination and charisma to become the face of not only the Twins but perhaps baseball. Since returning to the Twins lineup, he has hit .333 with an OPS of 1.345. He no doubt would trade that success for a few wins, with the Twins having lost five straight since his return.

After playing last Tuesday and Wednesday, he rested for Thursday’s game in New York against the Yankees. In the weeks to come there “will be thoughtful” discussion, Falvey said, about how often Lewis is in the lineup.

There will be a mix of playing third base and filling the DH role. Rest may come after two games, or three or four. A lot of factors will be involved including how the general recovery is progressing, whether Lewis ran more than usual or had to stretch himself out on a defensive play in a previous game, as he builds “volume” in a return to full time play.

Falvey and GM Thad Levine were hired by the Twins in the fall of 2016. Their first MLB Draft for Minnesota came with the overall No. 1 selection. The brain trust saw, Falvey said, a “tremendous athlete” who was still “pretty raw” at age 17. He observed that “this kid’s makeup was a little different” in how dedicated he was to the game, how much he cared and how charismatic he was.

Falvey said when injuries hit Lewis in the minor leagues, he wondered how that missed time would impact the youngster’s development of fundamentals. “So, I was a little bit worried about that, candidly—that he didn’t get the reps and the routine in the minor league journey. However, the thing that kind of impressed me more than anything else is it just feels like when he has those less fundamental moments or routines, there’s a special play in there somewhere along the way that he finds a way to maybe do it a little differently than everyone else does. And when the lights turn on and the big moments are there it seems like he shines.”

There is the hope, of course, that the Amazing Mr. Lewis will shine for a long time—free of mishaps that can slow or even derail his star lined destiny. The physical talent, combined with his exemplary attitude, has Lewis positioned to become not only the face of the team but also its clubhouse leader eventually.

“(Twins) players feel it in the clubhouse already, even at a young age (for Lewis),” Falvey said. Minnesota counts veterans Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton among its current leaders. Falvey said players like Correa can help Lewis continue to grow as a leader who the whole organization looks up to.

Falvey said: “There’s not that old school approach that, hey, if you’re young just stay in the corner. Be quiet. I’ve heard that a lot … (With the Twins it) is a little bit of, hey, you’re here to help us. You’re here to make us better.

“Now you’re (also) here to be respectful. You’re respectful…of every teammate, but it doesn’t matter if you have had a day in the big leagues or 10 years in the big leagues, you’ve got to be part of this team and be the best version of yourself.

“But I think what Royce has adapted is… (he’s the same player) you see every day on the TV. That’s the kid we see inside, too, even when the doors are closed, too. He’s just a fun loving (player who) enjoys baseball, loves being there, loves trying to help people left and right. And hopefully he can grow into that kind of leader you’re identifying.”

That’s part of why he’s the Amazing Mr. Lewis.

Comments Welcome

Quartet of Local Stars Reminds of 4 Greats 20 Years Ago

Posted on June 5, 2024June 5, 2024 by David Shama

The sensational return of third baseman Royce Lewis to the Twins’ roster yesterday and the announcement of a new contract for Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Monday is a reminder that this town’s four major pro sports teams each has a superb young player who likely will entertain fans for years to come.

Lewis, Jefferson, shooting guard Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves and wing Kirill Kaprizov of the Wild are cornerstones for their teams, and prompt memories of the best foursome who ever played at the same time in this area for Minnesota’s big four teams. Twenty years ago, Minneapolis-St. Paul lit up with star power having Marian Gaborik from the Wild, Kevin Garnett of the Wolves, Joe Mauer from the Twins and Randy Moss of the Vikings.

Mauer goes into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum this summer, while Garnett and Moss are already enshrined in the basketball and football halls. Only Gaborik isn’t enshrined in his sport’s hall of fame.

Jefferson and Edwards look like they’re on track to be hall of famers for sure. Lewis has flashed the potential to be mentioned among baseball’s best players in today’s game. Kaprizov brings fans out of their seats in anticipation of what he might do but he has to build on his success to become a hall of famer.

Lewis, who turns 25 today, has played in just 72 games (counting 2024) over three seasons as the injury gods have been cruel to him and his adoring fans. But, oh my, what anticipation the gifted hitter has set for all who follow him. Last October he became the third player in MLB history to homer in his first two postseason at bats. He set the stage for the dramatic during the regular season by hitting four grand slams in a 20-game span as he helped the Twins win the AL Central Division title. Last night after his return from a severe quadriceps strain, all he did was produce one of only two Twins hits in their loss to the Yankees, hitting a home run and making a terrific play in the field.

Jefferson, 24, is a three-time Pro Bowler who in his first four seasons set an NFL record for receiving yards with 5,889. He has produced four consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards. In 2022 he became the youngest player in NFL history to lead the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809). His new deal, reportedly for $140 million, makes him the highest paid non-quarterback in league history.

Edwards, 22, is already a two-time All-Star Game selection. This spring he was named second team All-NBA for the first time in his four-year career. An explosive scorer, he emerged this season as the alpha on the team averaging a career-high 25.9 points per game. He became the first player in franchise history to average 25-plus points per game, and five-plus rebounds and assists. He was often brilliant in the playoffs as the Wolves reached the Western Conference playoffs for the first time in 20 years.

The electric Kaprizov, who turned 27 last month and is a three-time All-Star, easily broke Gaborik’s franchise rookie record of 36 points. The Russian native had 51 points to lead all NHL rookies in 2020-2021. In Kaprizov’s second season, he broke the franchise record for goals (42) held by Gaborik and Eric Staal. His 47 goals were part of his 108 points season (100 points a first in franchise history) while helping the Wild to a record number of wins at 53.

Worth Noting

Dawson Garcia, who led the basketball Gophers in scoring last season at 17.6 points per game, has a Name, Image and Likeness deal with Dakotah Sport and Fitness in Prior Lake. The former Prior Lake all-state player grew up working out at the facility.

Charles Barkley’s TV commentary on the Timberwolves’ playoff games this spring prompted a favorite memory from Dave Mona. He recently wrote about it on Facebook reminiscing about how his company had produced a lithograph honoring the 50 greatest players in NBA history. It was back in 1997 that Mona and his wife Linda were in Cleveland charged with obtaining signatures from the players—including Barkley—on all 250 lithographs.

“About halfway through the signing it was clear he was starting to tire,” Mona said on Facebook. “He was cracking his neck and flexing his fingers. Linda, who was standing over his right shoulder, started to give him a back rub and it was obvious he loved it.

‘Can you come up to my hotel room after we’re done here,’ he suggested. ‘You’d have to ask my husband,’ she said. ‘He’s the one handing you the sharp pencils.’

Mona wrote that Barkley smiled and said: “He can come too.”

Rob Fornasiere, the longtime assistant coach to Golden Gophers head baseball coach John Anderson, emailed several eye-catching stats about his former boss who retired at age 69 this spring. The statistics, gathered by Joel Rippel from the Star Tribune, include these gems: Anderson coached in over half of all games the baseball Gophers have ever played—dating back 136 years—and his 1,390 wins is 49 percent of the program’s total victories.

Anderson took over as Minnesota’s head coach in 1981 and since then there have been 55 other Big Ten coaches. He and Fornasiere coached together for 1,943 games over 33 seasons, winning 1,164 games.

Minnesota sports and entertainment icon Dick Jonckowski will emcee next Monday’s tribute for the late Jim Carter, the well-known South St. Paul and former Golden Gophers athlete. At Minnesota Carter played hockey but was best known as a physical running back who was a key contributor to the 1967 Big Ten title team and captained the 1969 football Gophers. The tribute, organized by former football teammate Jim Brunzell, will be held at 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery in Dellwood, and will be attended by former Carter teammates and other friends. Carter passed away in California last November.

Per a news release yesterday from the University of Minnesota Athletic Department, Golden Gophers athletes continue to excel academically. The cross country, men’s golf, gymnastics and women’s hockey programs earned a perfect academic progress rate score for the 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.

Twelve programs earned a perfect APR score in the most recent reporting year of 2022-23: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s golf, gymnastics, women’s hockey, softball, women’s swimming, women’s tennis and volleyball. https://gophersports.com/news/2024/6/4/athletics-minnesota-continues-to-shine-in-academic-progress-rate

Belated Happy Birthday to Lou Nanne who turned 83 Sunday. Over a period of 25 years Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey was a player, coach, GM and president of the NHL North Stars.

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