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 Boss Talks Shortstops & More

Posted on December 18, 2022December 18, 2022 by David Shama

The Twins have a TBD situation at shortstop after free agent Carlos Correa said no to a future in Minnesota and accepted a reported 13-year, $350 million deal with the Giants. In an interview with Sports Headliners after the Correa bid fell through, Derek Falvey talked what’s next at the position and a lot more including his view about the team’s outlook for 2023.

The offseason started with Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson being the most coveted free agent shortstops in MLB. Now all four are gone, with the latest news that Swanson is headed to the Cubs on a reported seven-year, $177 million deal.

The Twins were interested in Swanson who had a proven resume in the field and at bat with the Braves. ”…We’ve maintained contact with his representatives and a number of other free agents, and we have to, and we should,” said Falvey, the Twins’ chief baseball officer. “So, I expect we’ll continue to have those conversations over the next few weeks as well.”

Sports Headliners can confirm the Twins offered Correa $285 million, reportedly for 10 years. Would the Twins use at least a portion of what was targeted for Correa on other talent outside the organization?

“It’s definitely something that we’re open to,” Falvey said. “…I think the baseline here is that the Pohlads (ownership group) have continued to support investment in this team, and if we find the right path and the right avenue to acquire a free agent at those dollars…we have the ability to do so. There are paths, though, where we aren’t spending all of that money. We’re not just going to spend it to spend it. …”

One path, at least for the short-term, is making Kyle Farmer the opening day shortstop. Farmer, 32, was acquired in a November trade as “insurance” for the club. He played in 145 games for the Reds last season, hitting .255 with 78 RBI and he is a versatile player in the field who has even been a catcher.

Falvey describes Farmer as “a really good stabilizing force at the position” while knowing the team has other options including within the organization where the shadow of Royce Lewis looms large. The former No. 1 draft choice got hurt last season while playing center field and is rehabbing from ACL surgery.

Falvey said Lewis’ recovery is going fine and all are hopeful he can be on a baseball field next summer. And at shortstop. “That’s what he views himself to be,” Falvey said. “(However,) he will play anywhere. He’s said that. He said, ‘Listen, you just give me a location on the field, and I’ll play.’

“He’s such a good athlete. He was an outfielder, some in high school. He played second and third base in high school as well. This guy has the type of athleticism that’s going to translate to any position. We need him to play but we do believe that he can play shortstop.”

Regarding Correa’s final decision, Falvey said the Twins made their best offer based on what was comfortable for them. Correa’s deal with the Giants takes him through age 41, a time when his skills might not even allow him to play. “I think for us, it wasn’t something we were in the conversation to do,” Falvey said about the length of contract.

Did Minnesota finish second in the sweepstakes for the team’s 2022 MVP? “That’s a good question,” Falvey said. “I’ll never know. You know, I’m guessing we did but I can’t say I know that for sure. No way to know.”

Going into the offseason the Twins’ highest priorities were shortstop and catcher. Now they have signed catcher Christian Vazquez to a three-year contract worth $30 million. Vazquez, 32, split last season between the Red Sox and Astros, hitting .274 while finishing tied for first in the American League among catchers in throwing out base runners (16). He tied for fourth among big league catchers with 11 defensive runs saved (per FanGraphs).

Falvey, GM Thad Levine, manager Rocco Baldelli and catching coach Hank Conger interviewed Vazquez via zoom before signing him. They were impressed as he talked baseball and what a catcher does including how to work with young pitchers. “We had heard good things, but it’s nothing like actually hearing it from the player himself,” Falvey said. “What he was talking about (included)…how to navigate a game, how to control the running game, how to kind of pace some young pitchers all the way through whether we have a veteran guy or guys that just showed up in the big leagues looking. …I think he’s going to be a huge value-add for us.”

Falvey believes Vazquez will catch about 60 percent of the time, with Ryan Jeffers handling the other 40 percent of the 2023 season. The Twins’ boss said the catchers will work with a pitching staff he is optimistic about, pointing out it’s been some time since the club will begin a season with as many proven starting pitchers as they have in Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, Tyler Mahle, Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan.

Falvey likes the bullpen, too, referring to Jhoan Duran “as one of the best relievers in the game.” Jorge Lopez can be a closer, too. Relievers Falvey likes earlier in games include Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar. “…I would tell you that from a backend bullpen standpoint, I think we actually have one of the better, better groups that we’ve had in a long time,” Falvey said.

The Twins signed free agent slugging outfielder Joey Gallo after last week’s interview with Falvey. Able to play all three outfield positions, Gallo fits in with a versatile roster the Twins value. Players like AL batting champ Luis Arraez, Nick Gordon and Jose Miranda can play in multiple spots.

The Twins were in first place in the Central Division much of last season until fading in September when injuries did them in. Falvey has respect for division rivals including the Guardians who were champions last season and the White Sox who could be favored in 2023. “But we feel this is a division that we can compete in, no matter what the current construct of our roster looks like. Because of the depth we have, because of the young players we have. Guys are going to need to step up in order to do so but I feel like we’re really in a good place for that.”

Players like center fielder Byron Buxton, first baseman-outfielder Alex Kirilloff and others who were injured last year are recovering in the offseason. The collective health of the team will determine a lot about whether, and how much, the Twins can improve on last season’s 78-84 record.

Falvey said tell him on April 1 what kind of injury run the team will have, and he can make an accurate prediction. “I can probably tell you where we’re gonna land.”

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Vikings’ ‘D’ May Revive vs. Inept Colts

Posted on December 15, 2022December 15, 2022 by David Shama

It will be a bad look if the Vikings’ defense struggles again Saturday. The defensive unit and coordinator Ed Donatell will be scrutinized for their performance at U.S. Bank Stadium against a Colts offense that has been mostly inept this season.

The 4-8-1 Colts average just 16.1 points per game, ranking No. 31 among 32 teams. They have the most turnovers in the NFL at 26. Quarterback Matt Ryan has a passer rating of 84 after throwing 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.

The Colts should be a welcome site to Donatell and his unit after their recent five-game nosedive. In that stretch the Vikings have given up 30.4 points per game and an average of 460.6 yards. Worse news is that the 10-3 Vikings are 3-2 in those last five games. Ryan rarely throws for 400 yards but if he does Saturday the Vikings could lose again.

At least among the public there is a lack of confidence in Donatell. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Donatell will call plays tomorrow. Asked earlier in the week if he would consider changing coaching assignments and play callers on gameday, O’Connell said, “You’re always looking at things that you think might be a possible answer to help the guys play better and be more consistent, but as of right now, no, not something I’m considering.”

The “as of right now” comment draws attention. It raises questions about Donatell, particularly with another defensive veteran on the staff in Mike Pettine, assistant head coach. Last year as a senior defensive assistant he helped the Bears improve to an overall No. 6 ranking in total defense. Before that he had success as the Packers’ defensive coordinator. He has 28 years of high school, college and professional experience.

Donatell and the defense are definitely on the collective hot seat for the Vikings who have scored 312 points this season and given up 313. Maybe facing Ryan can help get things turned around but in the last five games the Vikings have allowed the likes of Mike White (369) and Mac Jones (382) to pass for over 300 yards each.

Worth Noting

Did you know Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins is the only NFL QB with 3,000-plus passing yards and 20-plus touchdown passes in each of the past eight seasons?

Former Vikings wide receiver Nate Burleson will provide analysis on Saturday’s NFL Network game between Minnesota and the Colts. The game will also be seen locally on KSTP.

Nate is the younger brother of Kevin Burleson, the former Gopher basketball guard and ex-Timberwolves assistant coach. Kevin is head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League.

The Vikings-Patriots game and two other NFL games televised on Thanksgiving had an average minute audience of 44.1 million viewers, per NFL Communications.

There’s a lot of deserved hype about Gophers’ basketball recruit Dennis Evans from Riverside, California because of his defensive prowess but he is very raw offensively, a reality that may have given other college programs pause in pursuing the 7-foot-1 center.

This year’s Gophers, 5-6 and 0-2 in Big Ten games, have myriad issues including guard play. Tre Holloman, the freshman point guard at Michigan State from Minneapolis, could have helped. Holloman isn’t starting but has played in all 11 games, totaling 111 minutes and has made just two turnovers.

Second-year coach Ben Johnson’s team is struggling, looking dysfunctional at times and right now Minnesota is a favorite to finish last in the Big Ten for a second consecutive season. The Gophers are No. 244 in the NCAA net rankings of men’s Division I NCAA teams.

At least publicly, it seems like the buzz around the program is looking toward the 2023-2024 season when another hyped recruit, guard Cameron Christie from Rolling Hills, Illinois, shows up—but there are too many things that can happen between now and next fall to forecast a big turnaround for the program.

Sending best wishes to Jimmy Williams, the former Gophers basketball assistant coach and ace recruiter for Bill Musselman and Jim Dutcher, who has advanced Parkinson’s and is living in Tampa.

For a Name, Image and Likeness deal, men’s basketball players from Baylor and Gonzaga were paid by event organizers to promote their neutral site game in Sioux Falls earlier this month. Players received $8,000 each, per a Sports Headliners source.

Not saying it’s certain but don’t be surprised if Karl-Anthony Towns‘ calf injury doesn’t allow a return to Timberwolves game action until February.

It looks like a modest number of Gophers fans will attend the December 29 Pinstripe Bowl in New York City at Yankee Stadium. Reporters will be stationed in the open-air press box. Accuweather.com forecasts a cloudy day with a high of 36 on December 29.

Lou Nanne has been watching Sammy Walker since the now Wild forward was a pre-teenager. He told KFAN’s Dan Barreiro this week that Walker might be the fastest player on the team and he likes the former Gopher’s future but wants to see checking improvement.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said next year’s salary cap may rise by only $1 million per year next year. If so, that could put a player like the Wild’s Matt Dumba, reportedly at about $6 million next year, on the spot regarding his future in Minnesota.

The Gopher wrestling team, with no matches now until January 1 at the Southern Scuffle, is 7-0 and has moved up to No. 9 nationally in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll. The top five ranked teams are Penn State, Iowa, Ohio State, Arizona State and Michigan.

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‘Incredible’ Season for Jerry Kill’s Team

Posted on December 12, 2022April 27, 2024 by David Shama

This is the time of year for miracles, and sometimes they even occur in sports.

The miraculous has happened in Las Cruces, New Mexico where the Aggies have shocked the college football world and are preparing for a rare bowl game.

Leading the developing story of good cheer is former University of Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill. He has been orchestrating and often resurrecting college football programs since 1994 but his first season in the arid lands of Las Cruces is a doozy.

For decades the Aggies have been one of the most unsuccessful and forgettable programs in the nation. Fodder for bad jokes and nearly a guaranteed homecoming win for opponents. Just a year ago Kill arrived in town to take over a team that had finished 2-10. Few people, even the coach, expected the Aggies to win much in 2022 either.

In the Aggies’ first four games they were outscored 147-32. Included was a 38-0 beat down by the Gophers where the Aggies managed just six first downs and were out gained 300 to 60 yards.

Things got better with a first victory in late September and the Aggies won three of their last four games, outscoring the opposition 165-31. They finished with a 6-6 record and will take on Bowling Green December 26 in Detroit’s Quick Lane Bowl. Playing an independent schedule, the Aggies lost one-sided games to Minnesota and two other power five teams but had wins over Hawaii, New Mexico, UMass, Lamar, Liberty and Valparaiso.

In a phone interview with Sports Headliners, Kill acknowledged his team was “pretty well beat up with the first four games.” Known for his achievements at five other head jobs, he said the coaching job in 2022 rates high among his successes. “Being able to be where we’re at right now is pretty much close to a miracle,” he said.

How did Kill, his staff and the players surprise everyone including themselves? Well, first they successfully mixed many new players with returnees. During adversity the staff “didn’t get down on the kids.” The coaches stayed consistent with encouragement and instruction, and the Aggies played hard, kept giving effort.

“Yeah, I just did the same things,” Kill said regarding the consistent approach. “When we lost, we just said, hey, this is what we gotta get better at. We didn’t dwell on it. We just moved forward. …We just kept getting better.”

A bowl trip to Detroit is looked on with disdain by many college football fans, but to the Aggies it’s a just reward for all their faith, time and efforts. “They deserve a bowl game, and what they’ve done is incredible,” Kill said. “The exciting thing for me is I coached about two-and-a-half hours from there (Saginaw Valley State). I was 32 years old. That was my first head coaching job. College job.”

After his time at Saginaw, Kill would have three more head college coaching jobs before he took over the Gophers in December of 2010. He turned around a Gopher football program that was in dire shape by every standard. He became one of the state’s most respected and popular coaches ever.

By the time he resigned as coach almost five years later he had led the Gophers to a January 1 bowl game for the first time since 1962. His 2013 team broke a losing streak against Nebraska that went back to 1960. Minnesota defeated Michigan in 2014 for only the second time this century and that year beat Iowa 51-14. He was named the 2014 Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Pressure, fatigue, and most of all his long battle with epilepsy forced Kill to resign during the 2015 season. In retrospect, could he have shuffled off a lot of his duties to staff for weeks, months or longer, and continued as the Minnesota coach?

“I’ve never really regretted anything I’ve done in my life, and I did what’s best for the University of Minnesota and me at the time,” Kill answered. “Did I miss Minnesota? I’ve never gotten over it. I never will.

“Would I have handled it differently? If I’d sat out for a year, or whatever, I think I’d hurt the program and I wasn’t going to do that.”

How is his battle with epilepsy? “Yeah, things are going good,” he said. “You just take one day at a time with all that, but I’ve been good.”

Incidents over the last several years? “Since I left in 2015, I’ve had a few but nothing like they were in the past,” Kill said.

After leaving the Gophers, Kill had a series of college athletics administration and assistant football coaching assignments. It’s crystal clear that despite his health history, which includes cancer, Kill is hard wired to love football and work with young men.

About 13 months ago Kill was named interim head coach at TCU after Gary Patterson was fired. Kill had been working for Patterson, directing the offense. He isn’t caught off guard that the Horned Frogs are now one of four teams headed to the College Football Playoffs and competing for the national championship.

“Oh, I am not surprised at all. Offensively, we were dynamic when I was there. They had them all (the players) back. The quarterback was great when I was there. He’s still great (and) better. That offensive unit has been together for a long time. A lot of seniors, a lot of great kids. Great players, probably seven NFL guys on the offense. …”

At 61 years old Kill is rebuilding a program that has only been to four previous bowl games: 1936, 1959, 1960 and 2017. Don’t bet against Kill taking the Aggies to four or more himself. Things are looking up in Las Cruces where the coaching and playing is trending straight up, and the finances will improve after joining a conference next year.

“We’ll get better,” Kill said. “We’re not even close. We’re far from where we need to be. And we’re a lot farther along than I thought we’d be. So, I was hoping we’d win one or two games. …We’re going into Conference USA and that’s going to be a huge boost for us, you know, even financially. So, I think we’ve got a lot of good things ahead.”

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