BYRON BUXTON – Page 8 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Nanne Steps Away from Mic But Comeback Possible

Posted on March 10, 2024 by David Shama

In the “never say never” category put this down: Lou Nanne, 82, might not have worked his last State High School Boys Hockey Tournament on local TV.

Multitudes assume Nanne retired last night after 60 years of providing entertaining tournament commentary as viewers watched Edina win the Class 2A championship against Chanhassen. Except in 10 years or so, a great grandchild, or two or three, could be playing in the tournament and that could mean a comeback to the microphone.

“If they make it, I’ll come back and make a guest appearance,” Nanne told Sports Headliners.

And Dave Stead believes the man known as the Godfather of Minnesota hockey would be greeted with open arms. “That would be great, and I think that he’d be welcomed to make that comeback,” said Stead who was the Minnesota State High School League’s executive director for 32 years.

Now retired, Stead plans to suggest the MSHL invite Nanne back to next year’s tournament and those that follow. Encouraging the former Golden Gopher, Olympian and North Star to be in the press box and visible at the tournament is a winning idea. His name is synonymous with hockey including on the high school level where he has been an advocate for the ages.

“Minnesota hockey is fantastic and with Lou involved it just elevated it to a different level,” said Stead. “When you heard the voice, you knew exactly what was happening at the hockey tournament.”

When family members played in the tournament for Edina High School, they created special memories during Nanne’s 60 years behind a microphone. Son Marty scored the winning goal in the title game and years later his sons, Louie and Tyler, won championships. “Those are the favorites (tourney memories),” Nanne said.

Nanne (right) with well-wisher Bill McReavy.

Nanne is a senior managing director for RBC, working with companies and labor unions. He isn’t retiring from his position with the diversified financial services company, nor is he giving up his weekly guest appearances on KFAN Radio with drive time host Dan Barreiro, and he will continue into next season doing TV color work on a select number of Wild games.

Nanne won a battle with prostate cancer over 40 years ago. He goes to the gym multiple times per week, eats “what I want,” and is pleased with his health. “I got a great report from the Mayo (Clinic) last year. Every year I go. Been going every year since ’87.”

So why retire from the state tournament gig? “I just think it’s time to move on. Sixty is a nice round number.”

Asked several days ago what he anticipated his thoughts would be as he left the Xcel Energy Center last night, Nanne said: “Well, I feel sad that it’s over, but I am also happy that it’s over. I think it’s the right time to do it. I am going to treasure the moments that I had and think about all the good memories I had but know that it’s time to move on.”

Nanne was emotional last night as the crowd and even players paid tribute to his remarkable career including 60 years of analyzing tournament games. It was a retirement scene that Hollywood might have scripted.

Yes, change happens to everyone, even Nanne who for nearly 25 years was the face of the North Stars franchise as a player, coach, GM and president. Ironically, the man who grew up in Canada and lived most of his adult life in Minnesota never did like ice and cold. He has become a Florida resident while spending many days in Minnesota and Wisconsin where the family has a lake home.

Lou Nanne doesn’t make many changes but when the time is right, he pulls the trigger, even taking up residence in sunny Florida.

Worth Noting

It could be one of two veteran right handers, either Seth Lugo or Michael Wacha, who will be the Royals’ opening day pitcher March 28 in Kansas City. If so, left-handed hitting first baseman Alex Kirilloff is likely in the Twins’ lineup, with probably newly acquired switch hitting free agent Carlos Santana filling the DH spot.

Other probable Twins starters are left fielder Matt Wallner, center fielder Byron Buxton, right fielder Max Kepler, third baseman Royce Lewis, shortstop Carlos Correa, second baseman Eduardo Julien, catcher Ryan Jeffers and pitcher Pablo Lopez.

Do-Hyoung Park wrote a few days ago on MLB.com that Julien, who grew up speaking French in Quebec and went off to college at Auburn not knowing English, has become a popular player with teammates in his second season with the Twins.

If North St. Paul’s Louie Varland makes the Twins roster, he would be the third native Minnesotan on the 2024 roster along with Wallner and pitcher Caleb Thielbar. He could also be the St. Paul Saints opening day starting pitcher.

Renovations to Xcel Energy Center remain a priority for the Wild with word that St. Paul mayor Melvin Carter is supportive.

The International Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship will stage games in December of 2025 and January of 2026 at 3M Arena at Mariucci and Xcel Energy Center. The event has been wildly popular on Canadian TV for years, annually drawing millions of viewers.

While the University of Minnesota basketball team has no certain NBA prospects, guard Cam Christie, a candidate for Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten, could inquire this spring if pro teams project him as draft worthy. The smooth shooting guard, who is remindful of U All-American and former first round draft pick Lou Hudson, has the potential to improve his draft status next season.

Among regulars in the crowd at Williams Arena for Gophers games is former MLB umpire Tim Tschida, the St. Paul native.

The March issue of Sports Illustrated, writing about fragile coaching security in the NFL, points out there is not one offensive coordinator in the league who was with the same team in 2021.

Legendary Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and former Gophers defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel, now head coach at Wyoming, will speak at next month’s Minnesota Football Coaches Association Clinic. Speakers also include Gophers’ head coach P.J. Fleck and his assistants. The April 4-6 clinic is held at the DoubleTree in St. Louis Park and on the U campus.

Comments Welcome

Strange Calls Slow Vikings’ Playoff Push in Loss to Bengals

Posted on December 16, 2023December 16, 2023 by David Shama

The reputation of Kevin O’Connell as a superb play-caller took a hit this afternoon in Cincinnati when the Vikings lost 27-24 in overtime to the Bengals. Consecutive short yardage tush-push calls in OT failed and turned the ball over to the Bengals who went down the field to kick a 29-yard winning field goal.

On third down in OT Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens tried tush-push No. 1 and came up short of a first down. Strangely, the fourth down play call was more of the same as Mullens lost yardage and was stopped inches short of a first down at the Bengals’ 42 yard line.

O’Connell indicated on the KFAN postgame radio show that the ball placement by the officials after the third down try may not have been accurate. Maybe that gave him confidence to use the same play again but why use Mullens in that kind of situation?

The backup quarterback was making his first start in a game in almost two years. At 6-1 and 210 pounds, the inexperienced Mullens isn’t a powerful runner. And among the tush-pushers was wide receiver Brendon Powell, one of the smaller NFL players at 5-8 and 181 pounds.

Ty Chandler, starting in place of the injured Alexander Mattison, had a breakout day for the Vikings rushing for 132 yards. It made sense to have Chandler, perhaps running behind fullback C.J. Ham, carry the ball on at least one of those vital downs.

Now the Vikings are 7-7, with three games remaining. They still have an opportunity to make the playoffs with home games against the Packers and Lions, and an away matchup with the Lions who lead the NFC North Division.

But this loss will rightfully have Purple followers wondering if the best outcome in the weeks ahead is to lose games and improve draft position. With a muddled quarterback future, the world knows the Vikings are interested in choosing a top prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

More losses could push Minnesota toward a place among the top dozen or so draft selections. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings slide in that direction or continue their roller-coaster season with enough success to make the playoffs.

Worth Noting

Vikings fans can worry a bit more now about losing defensive coordinator Brian Flores after the season. The best head coaching job opening could be the Chargers with talented quarterback Justin Herbert. Playing without Herbert, the now 5-9 Chargers got thrashed last Thursday night by the Raiders, 63-21. Yes, that Raiders team which managed zero points in a 3-0 loss to the Vikings December 10.

Koi Perich, the Gophers’ highest ranked verbal commit, is reportedly considering signing with Ohio State next Wednesday. Here are a few points the Gophers can make to the sought after Esko, Minnesota safety:

Go to Ohio State and you will be known here as the high school superstar who said no to the home state team. Choose the Gophers, have a solid career in Dinkytown and you will be known as a home state hero—and that can present opportunities for life.
The Buckeyes, per 247Sports, already have three safeties among their verbal commitments. The opportunity to play sooner and longer could well be better in Minneapolis than Columbus.
Safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Nubin were honored as All-Americans in 2019 and 2023. That’s a statement about the coaching system and development at Minnesota.
Don’t choose a school just for Name, Image and Likeness rewards but do think of the NIL potential in your home state, including in northeastern Minnesota where the Gophers seldom find football players.

Name, Image and Likeness benefiting Golden Gophers athletes is doing well through the start-up Dinkytown Athletes. One challenge DA doesn’t face in the state is that Division I St. Thomas doesn’t have an NIL collective to compete with the Gophers.

Cole Kramer, the Gophers quarterback for the Motor City Bowl December 26, has one more season of eligibility but may not use it choosing to move on from college football. The former Eden Prairie star will marry Katie Miller in Rochester, Minnesota February 3.

Word is Eden Prairie defensive lineman Mo Saine, verbally committed in the Gophers 2024 recruiting class, is solid on his pledge.

Dating back to its inception in 2011 the Big Ten football championship game has been held in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. With the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams, that will change in the future, probably after 2028. The title game is booked in Indy through that year, but Minneapolis (U.S. Bank Stadium) and Las Vegas (Allegiant Stadium) seem likely future sites.

Justin Dungy, a high school senior cornerback in Florida and son of Gopher football alum and Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy, visited Montana State with his dad earlier this month. Justin is about 5-10, 155 pounds.

Dan Stoltz, SPIRE Credit Union president, and Kirk Cousins, Vikings quarterback, are good friends. After Cousins injured his Achilles earlier this fall, Stoltz stopped by his friend’s house to offer support.

Fans and media are skeptical, but the Twins and Byron Buxton are determined he will be the starting center fielder in 2024.

Future candidates to play that position could include Ricardo Olivar who was in 100 games last season for Single-A Fort Myers. He impressed offensively and the Twins appreciate his versatility in the field, playing catcher and center field!

Buxton, Royce Lewis, Pablo Lopez and many other players are scheduled for TwinsFest January 26-27 at Fillmore Minneapolis and Target Field.

The Twins and the other sports organizations in town continue to monitor the prospect of sports wagering becoming legal in Minnesota. It’s a good bet that it’s approved by the state in 2024. Minnesota is now surrounded by states who have already legalized sports wagering.

Have to think Timberwolves GM Tim Connelly strategizes everyday how he can acquire a quality backup point guard like native Minnesotan Tyus Jones with the Wizards. It’s a nightmare scenario if the Wolves lose 36-year-old Mike Conley Jr. for an extended period.

Gophers’ basketball forward Parker Fox, unselfish with a pass first, shoot second approach, had made 20 of his 26 field goal attempts, a gaudy .769 percentage. And better than his free throw percentage at .615.

Good-guy Dave Stead, the retired former executive director of the Minnesota State High School League, will take over the one-year volunteer position of Head Coach of the Twin Cities Dunkers in 2024. He will have program meeting responsibilities for the organization that through its Dunkers Fund provides financial assistance to the athletic programs of public Twin Cities high schools.

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Twins Fans Take the ‘Mic’ on Byron Buxton’s Future

Posted on October 15, 2023October 15, 2023 by David Shama

Byron Buxton has missed so much playing time during his major league career it’s not out of bounds to wonder at age 29 how much longer he might play. The future of the gifted Buxton, who turns 30 in December, is certainly something Twins fans and media will ponder during the offseason.

Buxton and management are on record that he will return in 2024. That’s not surprising given how much emotionally Buxton and the club have invested in each other. His tantalizing skills make a difference in winning or losing games, and possibly even championships.

Buxton heads into the fall and winter with the familiar challenge of how best to prepare his body for another season. In 2023 he once again was unable to play in 100 games, a threshold achieved one time in his nine-year career. After August 1, he appeared in one game as a pinch hitter, popping up in Game 4 of last Wednesday’s American League Division Championship Series.

Buxton also missed the closing weeks of the 2022 season. He had surgery on his right knee last fall, but the knee was problematic again in 2023. A right hamstring injury took him out of the lineup in early August of this year.

The last three years Buxton has played in 61, 92 and 85 games. But there was something different in 2023. He never played in the field, with all his action as a DH and pinch hitter.

A healthy Buxton can carry a team with his bat, fielding and baserunning. But at 30 years old—with a history of injuries, a troublesome knee and perhaps additional physical issues unknown to the public confronting him—how does he launch a recovery plan that will result in at least limited but impactful performance including at the most meaningful times? Well, a lot about that plan isn’t known but one step was taken last Friday when Buxton had more surgery on his right knee.

If Buxton can contribute to the Twins’ success next season that’s welcomed by all. But it’s not like the club doesn’t have other options, even at DH. Does the team look to infielder Royce Lewis to become the regular center fielder, filling Buxton’s old spot? Gifted young hitter Edouard Julien may again find his playing time at second base blocked by veteran Jorge Polanco and instead could be the club’s most used DH.

Then, too, where does Brooks Lee fit? The impressive switch hitter is among early mentions for American League Rookie of the Year in 2024 but where does he play in the field? His experience has been mostly at shortstop and third base, but his athleticism likely would allow him to play the outfield and almost certainly first base.

Alex Kirilloff hasn’t seized the first base job and the Twins might consider a veteran offseason acquisition. Could Buxton play first on any regular basis? It’s another question in the jumbled land of speculation about what’s next for him.

A relatively healthy Buxton will be a contributor to the 26-man roster, but a struggling Buck is again problematic. This last season not only couldn’t he help the team in the field and on the bases, but his .207 average was the lowest for any season in which he had over 100 at bats. In 304 plate appearances he hit 17 home runs and drove in 42 runs but his scarcity of contact with the ball and strikeouts were issues.

The Twins made a seven-year $100 million commitment to the Georgia native in December of 2021. The club didn’t want to lose Buxton to free agency and paid him as much for his potential as his past performance. Presumably, the Twins have an insurance policy on that deal to pay Buxton the balance of his contract if he retires early.

Questions about Buxton’s future is enough to keep the more passionate of Twins’ fans awake at night. Sports Headliners took the “temperature” of some column readers and Twins fans with a mass email last week asking what they thought about Buxton and if he should retire. It was a small sampling sent out to more than 20 contacts, with not everyone responding, but the replies were interesting. Here’s part of what they said via email, with all but one person requesting anonymity. Messages have been edited for brevity, clarity, and style.

A leadoff comment from a Twins fan that is indicative of mixed feelings among fans: “If Buxton is unable to take the field, steal bases or hit over .200, then yes, he SHOULD retire. But if there’s still hope for some level of recovery (then) I’m not ready to pull the plug yet.”

Another fan wants goals established for Buxton in 2024. “One more year. If he can’t play in the outfield next year at least 50% of games, or DH in at least 80% of games, he should retire.”

Here’s someone else writing about urgency for Buxton: “The Twins now have four months to get whatever needs to be done to get him back at full (or close to full) strength. If he cannot do it in that time frame, the team has no choice but to trade or release him. The money does you no good if the guy cannot play.”

Another fan agrees Buxton and the Twins should part ways: “If they can get anything for him in a trade (unlikely), they should take it. If they can’t trade him, they should just let him go. He can’t stay healthy enough to stay on the field, and when he does play, he is of little value, hitting around .200 with an occasional long ball.”

A former journalist expressed empathy about the Buxton situation, describing it as “sad” for the player and fans: “We witnessed his incredible athletic ability only briefly. What a career it could have been! I think the Twins should bring him to spring training next year with the hope that he gets off to a good start. Then trade him to the highest bidder for young prominent pitching and a young/raw center fielder with promising potential. The Buxton experiment is over, and most Twins fans know it, where his constant injuries have become the punchline to a joke!”

A person with career experience in sports and entertainment wrote this: “Since Byron is set to make $15 million a year fully guaranteed through the 2028 season, I think it’s in the Twins’ best interest to keep him on the roster—yet go about their business assuming he won’t be much of a contributor. Anything they get from him should be considered a bonus. Byron’s talent has been betrayed by a body that doesn’t allow him to absorb the grind of a 162-game MLB season.”

Among readers who don’t want to see Buxton give up baseball is one who wrote this: “I don’t think he should retire at this time. Recall that he started last spring very well, but then was injured. He’s not old. I’m not optimistic, but he should certainly hang in there, continue to get medical treatment and try again.”

Twins fan and longtime season ticket buyer Kirk Detlefsen also wants Buxton to play on. “Retire, no way. He is still fast. He is still Gold Glove. Let him play every day (or 75% of the days) in the outfield. Being involved in the game (on the field), I would expect his batting average to go up close to 100 points. If he gets hurt, he gets hurt and he goes on the IL. No worse than if he had been at home watching the games on TV.”

Another column reader stressed that Buxton is entitled to his lucrative contract: “From what I know, he has done everything right and nothing wrong. Players get hurt, some a lot, and Buxton is one of them. That’s the way it goes for all teams, who know (ahead of time) the pros and cons of offering long-term contracts. If the player is doing his best both on the field and with rehab efforts, he is absolutely entitled to whatever the team agreed to pay him and there is no shame in that.”

Sending both an optimistic and cautionary message was an amateur baseball authority who wrote: “I think what makes Byron Buxton special is his ability to excel offensively and defensively. Without both sides of the game, he’s a very expensive player with significantly limited value. If he isn’t healthy enough to be a two-way player, retirement is an option Byron will need to consider. It’s my hope he comes back healthy, is able to play in the outfield, and still has several good years ahead!”

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