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Twins Boast 2 Potential MVP Candidates

Posted on April 10, 2022April 10, 2022 by David Shama

The Twins are only two games into the 2022 season but it’s clear they have two potential candidates for American League MVP. “I think we feel we have two of the game’s most elite players,” club president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners.

The off-season signings of shortstop Carlos Correa and center fielder Byron Buxton give the Twins their best potential MVP tandem since the roster was led by Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau years ago.

Playing for the Astros last season, Correa finished fifth in AL MVP voting. He hit .279 with 26 home runs and 92 RBI last season. He was No. 2 among MLB position players with a 7.2 WAR, per Baseball Reference (behind Marcus Semien’s 7.3). He also won the 2021 Rawlings American League Gold Glove at shortstop and the 2021 AL Platinum Glove Award, awarded to the best overall fielder in each league.

Correa, 27, enters this season on everyone’s AL MVP watch list, while Buxton is more of a dark horse because of his history with injuries. Both have similar abilities.

Despite being limited to 61 games last season, the 28-year-old Buxton hit .306 with 19 home runs, 32 RBI, 13 walks, 50 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 1.005 OPS this past season. His OPS led league hitters with at least 200 at-bats and ranked second in MLB behind National League MVP Bryce Harper (1.044). His 4.5 WAR (per Baseball Reference) was the highest in AL/NL history by a player who appeared in 70 games or fewer. His 10 defensive runs saved (per The Fielding Bible) ranked fifth among all centerfielders.

“He (Buxton) makes us better in every way,” St. Peter said. “He impacts the game. Best defensive center fielder in the game. He runs the bases better than anyone else in the game. He obviously has tremendous power. Can spray the ball if necessary. If healthy, this guy is a top 10 player in baseball.”

St. Peter has similar praise for Correa, describing him as an elite defender and accomplished base runner. He praised him as a hitter who battles pitchers and hits with power. Correa won a World Series with the Astros (his previous team) and is known as a clubhouse leader. His resume, high character and leadership skills command respect from his new teammates. “When you have someone like that, it can be very powerful in a baseball clubhouse,” St. Peter said.

The Twins signed Buxton to a seven-year contract extension late last year. St. Peter said if the Twins hadn’t retained Buxton, they wouldn’t have been able to convince Correa to join the club. Together they help give the Twins a shot at what St. Peter hopes will be a “giant step forward” in 2022 (73-89 last season).

Worth Noting

Buxton hit a two-run homer yesterday to put the Twins up 3-2 in the eighth inning against the Mariners at Target Field. But in a repeat of last spring when the bullpen consistently faltered, Tyler Duffey blew the lead in the ninth inning as the Mariners won 4-3 and sent the Twins off to a 0-2 start in the new season.

It will be a surprise if the Gophers don’t add a running back before June from the transfer portal. P.J. Fleck and staff might well have been shopping even before Mar’Keise Irving announced last week he is leaving Minnesota.

Available running backs in the portal, per 247Sports, include Camar Wheaton, Alabama; Tharon Davis, Memphis; Joshia Davis, Colorado; Aidan Robbins, Louisville; and Peni Naulu, Washington State. Wheaton didn’t play for Alabama last season but coming out of high school he was the No. 1 RB in the nation, according to Rivals100. Minnesota recruits the Dallas area and Wheaton played in high school not far from Gophers high potential wide receiver Dylan Wright.

The Twins’ 28-man opening day roster Friday had only three pitchers (Jorge Alcala, Tyler Duffey, Caleb Thielbar) who were with the club a year ago for the first game. The 2022 Twins have 19 new players: 13 pitchers, three infielders, two outfielders and one catcher.

Pro Football Focus last week had former Eden Prairie defensive end Jermaine Johnson going at No. 13 to the Vikings in the first round of the April 28 NFL Draft. Edge rushers are coveted and Johnson has wowed scouts while at Florida State, in the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.

Eden Prairie coach Mike Grant isn’t surprised at Johnson’s ascension. “He had all the measureables (in high school),” Grant told Sports Headliners, while also praising Johnson’s work ethic.

Jeremiah Johnson, Jermaine’s brother, will be a junior next season for the Eagles. While Jermaine is 6-4, his brother is 5-9 and might play fullback, linebacker or defensive end.

Mike’s father, Bud Grant, will speak April 19 at the Twin Cities Dunkers annual dinner that raises money for the sports programs at Minneapolis and St. Paul high schools. Mike isn’t sure if he will attend. “That’s right in the middle of turkey hunting season,” he quipped.

Mike turns 65 Thursday, Bud will be 95 on May 20.

Word is UConn’s Paige Bueckers rented a Target Center suite for former Hopkins teammates to watch the Women’s Final Four. Estimates are Bueckers is earning $500,000 to $1 million from Name, Image and Likeness sources.

As a player Lindsay Whalen won more WNBA games than anyone in history, and she will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 10. But as Gopher women’s coach she has no winning seasons in the Big Ten. After four seasons she is 60-57 overall and 28-44 in conference games, while predecessor Marlene Stollings was 82-47 and 38-30, per records from Wikipedia.

With the Gophers, former men’s head coach Richard Pitino matched up against his dad in a November, 2014 loss to Louisville. Next December Richard’s New Mexico team will host Rick Pitino and Iona in Albuquerque.

It was 40 years ago last week the Metrodome opened for the first time with an exhibition game between the Twins and Phillies. That April 3, 1982 Twins’ win was followed by a regular season opening loss to the Mariners April 6.

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Rosas Shadow Hangs Over Wolves

Posted on March 21, 2022March 21, 2022 by David Shama

Enjoy a Monday notes column:

Gersson Rosas, a candidate for NBA Executive of the Year? Could have been if the Timberwolves hadn’t fired him last September for reportedly having an inappropriate relationship with an office employee and fostering a tense office environment.

The Wolves rank among the surprise teams in the NBA after a 23-49 record last season. The Wolves, 42-30, are 26-10 since January 2 and driving toward an April spot in the playoffs for just the second time since 2004.

Rosas, hired in May of 2019 as president of basketball operations, has his “fingerprints” all over the Wolves dossier. He inherited center Karl-Anthony Towns but the other members of the “big three,” guards Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell, came through moves made by Rosas and his staff.

Edwards was the NBA’s overall No. 1 draft choice in 2020. Russell and several other contributors, including talented young forward Jaden McDaniels, came via trades. Those players include starting power forward Jared Vanderbilt and guard Patrick Beverley, a catalyst either starting or coming off the bench.

Role players off the bench who came via swaps and have helped improve Minnesota are three-point shooting specialist Malik Beasley and power forward Taurean Prince. Contributors acquired through free agency are center Naz Reid and playmaking guard Jordan McLaughlin.

Rosas, who did fail on 2019 first round pick Jarrett Culver, made a shrewd move hiring Chris Finch as head coach in February 2021. Finch seems to be an effective communicator who listens to players and lets them know what is expected.

So when Rosas departed he left in place a roster and coaching structure that has blossomed after going a combined 42-94 the two previous seasons. Rosas, though, won’t be picking up any awards for his trophy case and reportedly is working in a consulting role with the NBA Knicks.

Rosas’ home overlooking Bde Maka Ska is on the market for $4 million, per Jay Boller from Racketmn.com. The stunning contemporary property at 3817 Sheridan Avenue South was purchased in 2019 by Rosas for $2.42 million and has been renovated since, according to Boller.

New Wolves’ minority owner Marc Lore doesn’t miss a beat. He told WCCO Radio’s Vineeta Sawkar last week he started taking basketball lessons about six months ago to better understand the game.

Despite box office competition from home games involving the Timberwolves, Wild and Loons, the hockey Gophers, playing Michigan Saturday night for the Big Ten Tournament title, drew a record crowd of 10,774 at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Standing room tickets sold for $30 as the Gophers changed the all too frequent narrative of playing in front of empty seats.

In a big move the Wild has acquired 37-year-old goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from the Blackhawks in exchange for a conditional first-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft. In 45 games this season he has a 2.95 goals-against-average.

Per a statement from the club: “In the event Minnesota advances to the Western Conference Final and Marc-Andre Fleury is the winning goalie of record in a minimum of four games in the first and second rounds combined, Chicago will receive Minnesota’s first-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft. In the event both conditions are not satisfied, Chicago will receive Minnesota’s second-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft. In addition, Chicago will retain 50% of Marc-Andre Fleury’s contract.”

The Wild also announced this morning the acquisition of a second-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft from the Coyotes (previously acquired from the Canucks) in exchange for forward Jack McBain.

Former Timberwolves executive Ted Johnson, now CEO of Norden Strategies, is a senior advisor to the group pursuing Expo 2027 for Minnesota. Bloomington would be the host city for the global event that Johnson said can have a $2 billion economic impact running over 90 days.

The Minnesota effort is a joint venture with the U.S. State Department and the American theme is “Healthy People, Healthy Planet.” Other countries bidding for the event are Thailand, Spain, Serbia and Argentina.

Congratulations to Pete Chubb of Minneapolis who was recognized recently for 50 years working in event management at University of Minnesota basketball games. Many of those seasons his assignment was to provide security near the visiting team’s bench. In 50 years he didn’t receive an increase on his $12 per hour rate but the work was a labor of love.

Chubb’s memories include the infamous game when Northwestern coach Ricky Byrdsong left the bench and walked up into the stands. Whether prompted by mental fatigue, or using a psychological ploy on his team, the incident is remembered as bizarre by fans in attendance.

Indiana coach Bobby Knight was known for his hot temper and foul language. He was a villain at Williams Arena, but Chubb saw a different side to Knight who took an interest in developmentally disabled young adults. “He would take them down in the locker room and show them around. …He was very, very nice to them,” Chubb said.

Dick Jonckowski will emcee Thursday’s reunion luncheon recognizing individuals who played on boys’ state tournament basketball teams from the last decade of the one-class tournament format (1960-1970).

Before the luncheon at The Graduate Hotel honorees will visit Williams Arena where their state tournament games were played and each will walk out on the floor to be recognized by Jonckowski.
Jeff McCarron, from the 1970 Sherburn team that won the last one-class state title, is one of the reunion organizers.

Have to wonder if the warm-blooded L.A. Dodgers are already packing mittens for their two-game series in Minneapolis against the Twins April 12 (night) and April 13 (day).

Twins promotions at Target Field in 2022 include bobblehead giveaways of Jim Kaat, July 16; Tony Oliva, August 6; and Byron Buxton, August 27. Selected Fridays are “all you can eat” games.

Former Vikings superstar RB Adrian Peterson turns 37 today and reportedly wants to continue his NFL career. He is a free agent after the Seahawks let him go.

Look for the new Four Seasons to host visiting professional teams after Minneapolis’ only five-star hotel opens in June.

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Vikings Implode Versus Winless Lions

Posted on December 5, 2021March 15, 2023 by David Shama

“It’s kind of a scary game with all the injuries they have.”

Those were the words of former Minnesota Vikings GM Jeff Diamond this morning. His words were prophetic after the Vikings did the improbable by blowing a 27-23 lead in the last minute in Detroit today against the previously winless Lions.

The Vikings are now 5-7 after the 29-27 defeat and must prepare fast for Thursday night’s home game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It’s a big week for the Vikings,” Diamond told Sports Headliners before the game. “I think they need to win these two games (Detroit and Pittsburgh) and get over .500 before they head into Soldier Field for that Monday night game (December 13).”

With five games remaining on the schedule a loss to the Steelers and another to the Chicago Bears at Solider Field will seal Minnesota’s playoff fate that is already in deep peril. Vikings radio analyst Ben Leber echoed the sentiment of fans on the KFXN post game show when he said the team’s playoff chances may have “gone out the window.”

The Vikings played without injured personnel who count among the team’s most important contributors. Absent were Anthony Barr, Dalvin Cook, Christian Darrisaw, Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks and Patrick Peterson. All were out with injuries except Griffen, sidelined because of mental health, and Peterson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Then early in the first quarter Adam Thielen was injured and didn’t return to the game.

Head coach Mike Zimmer (who many fans want dismissed immediately) acknowledged “a lot of guys missing” but didn’t alibi about it on the radio after the game. “We didn’t play good enough today,” he said. “That’s my fault.”

Inexplicably the Vikings used a three-man rush trying to protect a 27-23 lead in the last minute of the game. The Lions drove 75 yards with no pressure on Detroit quarterback Jared Goff other than a safety blitz by Minnesota’s Harrison Smith (he may have called the play on his own). The Vikings chose eight-man pass coverage and the Lions took advantage, driving down the field for a last second TD with zero timeouts remaining.

The Lions, now 1-10-1, played at times like the team they are—trying to give away games to opponents. Twice in the game coach Dan Campbell told his team to try for a first down on fourth down. In the first half the strategy led to a Viking field goal. In the second half the failed effort led to the Vikings taking a 27-23 lead with 1:50 to play.

With a makeshift defense playing without its best cover corner in Petersen and perhaps the unit’s MVP in linebacker Kendricks, the Vikings faced a scary closing minute. The ending was a nightmare.

Worth Noting

The Vikings’ offense couldn’t be faulted (as in other games) for not targeting play-making whiz and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He had a career high 182 yards in receptions and one touchdown. He even threw a first half pass.

The second-year Viking needed 73 receiving yards going into the game to tie Hall of Famer Lance Alworth as the fourth fastest player ever to reach 2,500 receiving yards (both players in 28 games). Odell Beckham Jr. (25), Charlie Hennigan (26) and Bill Gorman (27) reached 2,500 yards in fewer games.

Multiple sources report it’s the intent of Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck to hire Kirk Ciarrocca as offensive coordinator but processes must be completed before an official announcement is possible. Those stages include a University of Minnesota job posting and possibly legalese in contracts with past employers of Ciarrocca who was the Minnesota coordinator from 2017-2019.

Ironically, as of this moment he is an offensive analyst at West Virginia, the team Minnesota will play in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix December 28. West Virginia, from the Big 12, is 6-6 this season while the Gophers are 8-4.

Two-time All-American Gopher defensive end Bob Stein will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Stein, who played high school football for St. Louis Park, was a junior on Minnesota’s last Big Ten title team in 1967. He was honored as an All-American in both 1967 and 1968 by four major organizations including the Associated Press and United Press International.

Jim Carter, the former Gophers fullback from South St. Paul, was Stein’s roommate at Minnesota and the two have been close friends for over 50 years. “Stein contributed a lot (to the championship team),” Carter told Sports Headlines. “He was a damn good defensive end.”

Stein was schooled by legendary U assistant coach Butch Nash who made sure his ends excelled in fundamentals. Stein played defensive end with a high football IQ and a mean streak. “I tell you what, Stein was a tough son-of-a-bitch and I had to go against him a lot (in practice),” Carter said.

Stein and Carter were drinking buddies at Minnesota. Sometimes they would face-off the next morning in practice after a night of partying. They engaged in one-on-one drills with Carter trying to pass block his on-rushing pal who wasn’t about to give him preferential treatment. “He’d hit me in the head and then laugh,” Carter remembered.

A two-time Academic All-American, Stein earned a law degree after his undergraduate years at Minnesota. His post-Gopher career included eight years in the NFL and founding president of the NBA expansion Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minneapolis businessman and former Gopher football player Mark Sheffert was instrumental in Stein’s candidacy for the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to both Bob and Mark.

Stein is one of 21 ex-Gophers in the College Football Hall of Fame. Who could be next from the U? Two-time consensus All-Americans Tyrone Carter and Greg Eslinger have the credentials (winners of the Jim Thorpe and Dave Rimington awards respectively).

Billie Jean King, the tennis trailblazer and advocate for equality, is the 2021 winner of the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. As an elite gate attraction for the Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis, she helped the league set an attendance record in 1974 at the old Met Center for a match against the Minnesota Buckskins.

A sports marketing authority, speaking anonymously, told Sports Headliners the Minnesota Twins may have prevented the cancelling of up to 500 season tickets by signing Byron Buxton to a $100 million contract. “Had to do this in my mind,” he said.

Dain Dainja, the power forward from Park Center High School, has transferred from Baylor to Illinois. He was a consensus four-star recruit in the high school class of 2020.

Gophers’ first season basketball coach Ben Johnson is 7-0, while the man he replaced, Richard Pitino, is 5-3 leading New Mexico. Johnson and his staff have the Gophers playing extraordinary team basketball, with their latest triumph coming today in an 81-76 win at Mississippi State.

It will be interesting to see if U athletic director Mark Coyle, whose name was linked earlier this year to openings at Kansas and Missouri, is mentioned for the Florida State job.

New Minnesota United CEO Shari Ballard, the former Best Buy executive, speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers Friday.

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