Joe Mauer – Page 7 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

WR Dylan Wright Steps Up for Gophers

Posted on September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 by David Shama

In Dylan Wright’s Minnesota debut last week he was the team’s leading receiver with five receptions, 57 yards and one touchdown catch. The Texas A&M transfer was a difference maker, showing his speed and skill in going up to catch the football against top-five ranked Ohio State.

Wright, 6-3 and 215, is a redshirt sophomore wide receiver who played in a total of eight games in 2019 and 2020 at A&M. “This is only his first year of really playing (college) football. First game (last Thursday) playing multiple, meaningful snaps. He’s just scratching the surface of where he can go,” Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said yesterday.

Wright helped against the Buckeyes in the absence of the team’s most established wide receiver, the injured Chris Autman-Bell. A senior, Autman-Bell has played in 33 games during his Minnesota career, with 78 receptions for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns. He should be back soon and Fleck is anticipating the trio of Wright, Autman-Bell and sophomore Daniel Jackson.

“You start to look at that core and you start to see a lot of similarities from what we’ve had,” Fleck said in reference to 2019 when the 11-2 Gophers’ boasted superlative wide receivers in Rashod Bateman, Tyler Johnson and Autman-Bell.

Fleck also praises Wright’s character, referring to him as a “wonderful person” and says the Mesquite, Texas native is devoted to football. “Dylan Wright loves football and he loves to work at it. I think that’s what makes him special is how hard he works at becoming a really good player.”

The contribution of the wide receivers to the offense will be more important than ever after yesterday’s announcement that All-American running back Mohamed Ibrahim will have surgery today for what Fleck describes as a lower leg injury. He will miss the rest of the season and the redshirt senior’s future is uncertain at Minnesota.

Fleck said there is no pressure to do so now but in the months ahead Ibrahim will decide whether to pursue an NFL career or return for another season with the Gophers in 2022. “He should be able to make a full recovery,” Fleck said about what is believed to be a left Achilles injury. (Fleck doesn’t detail injuries, believing it’s best to leave that information up to the player to disclose if he chooses to do so.)

Ibrahim had a typical high production game against Ohio State, running 30 times for 164 yards. Who replaces him as the lead running back starting with Saturday’s home nonconference game against Miami (Ohio)? “Every back is going to be able to get a look,” Fleck said.

Fans may correctly expect redshirt sophomore Trey Potts, who had 37 yards in 10 carries last week, to win the designation as lead back. Others under consideration are redshirt junior Bryce Williams, redshirt sophomore Cam Wiley, redshirt freshman Ky Thomas and true freshman Mar’Keise Irving. Williams rushed for a career high 141 yards in a 2018 win over Miami (Ohio) in Minneapolis.

Worth Noting

Matthew Trickett, the Kent State transfer who kicked an impressive 46-yard field goal in the Ohio State loss, is a first team All-Big Ten preseason pick by Pro Football Focus.

The Gopher athletic department is promoting tickets for all available remaining home games, with “starting at” prices of $20 for Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green, $75 for Nebraska, $35 Maryland, $45 Illinois and $85 Wisconsin.

Saturday’s game with Miami will be televised by ESPNU and the September 18 game in Boulder against Colorado will be carried by the Pac-12 Network.

Arkansas’ Eric Musselman, who the University of Minnesota could almost certainly have hired as head basketball coach a few years ago, has the No. 6 ranked recruiting class for 2022, per the 247 Sports composite listings.

Iowa State, whose basketball verbal commits include Eli King from Caledonia, is ranked No. 10, and Purdue, with a potential class headed by Camden Heide of Wayzata, is No. 16. Both Minnesotans are four-star recruits, per 247.

Heide’s brother Keaton is a reserve quarterback on the FCS South Dakota State football team that upset FBS Colorado State in Fort Collins last week.

“David versus Goliath:” The St. Thomas football team, in its first season of Division I competition, plays Northern Iowa on September 18. The Panthers put a scare into top-10 ranked Iowa State last week before losing 16-10.

It’s fitting the Toronto Blue Jays will be the opponent when Canada native Justin Morneau is inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on September 25. Prior to the game at Target Field with the Blue Jays, the former Twins first baseman and AL MVP will have former teammate Joe Mauer as his presenter.

Retiring: Bill Evers, 67 and filling in as Twins manager while Rocco Baldelli is on paternity leave, will retire at season’s end. The veteran Twins coach has managerial experience in pro baseball dating back to 1987.

“Book Reports:” Pioneer Press sportswriter Chris Tomasson Tweeted that his book, The Minnesota Vikings All-Time All-Stars, is coming out September 15 and will be available on Amazon.

There will be a private publication party September 24 at the University of Minnesota for Terry McConnell’s new book, Breaking through the Line. The book tells the story of former Gophers All-American Bobby Marshall who was the NFL’s first African American player.

The Star Tribune’s Chip Scoggins wrote on Facebook he is collaborating with fellow columnist Patrick Reusse on a book they hope to have out in the spring. The book will recount the many entertaining stories of Reusse’s career in newspapers and radio.

Real Estate: Various online reports this summer say former Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett sold his unfinished Malibu, California mansion for $16 million. No word on whether he’s looking for property in Glen Taylor’s home town of Mankato.

The state’s top thoroughbreds and quarter horses race Wednesday at Canterbury Park in the 28th Minnesota Festival of Champions. The 12-race card will pay a total of $852,450 in purses.

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Mike Zimmer: QB Mond ‘too Nonchalant’

Posted on August 15, 2021August 15, 2021 by David Shama

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Kellen Mond made his NFL debut yesterday in the team’s 33-6 loss to the Denver Broncos. Mond, with only three practices behind him, entered the game early in the second quarter and heard cheers from the home crowd watching Minnesota’s first preseason game.

The third round draft choice played the rest of the game, completing six of 16 passes for 53 yards and rushing for 25 yards. Considering his lack of practice time the former Texas A&M star appeared to make an okay debut, while showing his athleticism moving around in the pocket.

Head coach Mike Zimmer, talking on KFAN FM 100.3 after the game, focused on how the rookie has to pick up his pace of play including what he does in the huddle. “He’s going to have to move faster with everything he does. It’s too nonchalant right now.”

Mond couldn’t direct the Vikings to a touchdown. Failures included two attempts for the end zone from the Denver two-yard line. But he out played Jake Browning who joined the organization in 2019 and entered Saturday’s game apparently the No. 2 QB behind Kirk Cousins. Playing as the starter, Browning completed five of 10 passes for 31 yards. He also threw an interception returned for a touchdown. He looked too deliberate on reads and releasing the ball.

The Vikings had 31 players, many of them starters, who didn’t play in the game because Zimmer wanted to see his reserves. It was a difficult result, particularly in the first half with the Vikings losing 26-6 at halftime. On a KFAN interview before the third quarter Zimmer complained about the interception resulting in an 80-yard Denver TD pass, plus sloppy tackling, giving up a safety and a “terrible punt. “Other than that it’s been great,” said Zimmer who predicted physical practices this week.

Worth Noting

Club president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners Joe Mauer will be the presenter September 25 when Justin Morneau is inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame prior to the Toronto Blue Jays game at Target Field. “They’re great friends,” St. Peter said. “There is obviously tremendous respect.”

Morneau and Mauer played together from 2004-2013. Morneau, the first baseman, and Mauer, the catcher, both came through the Twins’ farm system and went on to win the American League MVP Award.

“Two of the best in the game at their respective positions in their time,” St. Peter said. “So obviously richly deserved recognition for Justin to be in the Twins Hall of Fame and Joe will be there soon.”

Twins TV viewership is off 55 percent compared with 2019, the last full season of big league baseball, according to an August 6 Forbes.com story. The Twins are down 47 percent from the COVID shortened 2020 season. Many MLB teams have seen viewership declines (some dramatic) from 2019 versus 2021.

St. Peter points out the Twins were on their way to the Central Division championship in 2019, while this season the club performance has been a major disappointment. Across the country there has also been a change in viewing habits by consumers and ratings are down for attractions like the NBA Finals and Olympics.

St. Peter said the Twins are counting on starting pitcher Joe Ryan, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Nelson Cruz deal this summer, to make an impact in coming seasons. He is on the St. Paul Saints Triple-A roster after winning two games in the Olympics for the silver medal American team.

“All you need to know is Mike Scioscia trusted this young man to start not one, but two games in the Olympics,” St. Peter said. “Mike Scioscia was there to win. This wasn’t an exhibition. This was championship caliber baseball for Mike Scioscia as the manager.”

Happy birthday to Tom Kelly who is 71 today. The former Twins manager led his teams to two World Series title titles.

Gophers’ offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. said coaches challenged redshirt senior quarterback Tanner Morgan to become leaner, stronger and more explosive during the offseason. “It’s really transformed his game,” Sanford said of Morgan’s development. “And mentally I’ve never seen him at a better place. He is handling everything with such incredible leadership, and the intangibles he brings to the table are so unique.”

The Saturday Down South website ranks Minnesota’s Mo Ibrahim the No. 2 running back in the nation. Sanford said the redshirt senior is more powerful than last season and sets an example for Minnesota’s other running backs. “Mo is the leader of that room,” Sanford said.

With the Gophers having an inexperienced wide receiver group, look for the running backs and tight ends to be targeted more in the passing game. Redshirt sophomore tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, 6-7 and 270, has caught only five passes in his career, but could emerge as a star.

Texas A&M transfer Dylan Wright was the No. 70 overall recruit in 2019 by 247Sports and sorted through offers from big time programs before choosing the Aggies. “He is raising eyebrows, that’s for sure,” Sanford of Wright, who is preparing for his first season at Minnesota as a redshirt sophomore.

Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi on being referred to by his Minnesota players as a guru; “I don’t like it.”

Why? “Because it’s about players, not coaches,” Rossi said. “Players have to go out and make plays. Players gotta go out and execute defense. …”

Rossi has been using a trio of big, physical linebackers in practice. Jack Gibbens (245 pounds), Braelen Oliver (230) and Mariano Sori-Marin (245) will at times during the season be rotated out but they give the Gophers size and toughness needed against some opponents, particularly in Big Ten games.

Fbschedules.com reported the Gophers will host Eastern Illinois for a game Thursday, September 3, 2026. Minnesota will pay the Panthers $500,000, per the contract obtained by the website. Following that opener, the Gophers host Mississippi State Saturday, September 12.

The assumption this offseason was Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, last season’s NHL Rookie of the Year, would be signed to a new contract by now. Whatever is holding up a new deal isn’t known but part of the delay could be who the 24-year-old listens to in his native Russia. Are there behind the scenes figures that hold influence and even power over Kaprizov? Business and politics in Russia are different.

It’s interesting that after Kaprizov was drafted it took multiple attempts by the Wild to bring him to Minnesota. He can make a lot of money playing in Russia but it’s not the NHL and he enjoyed his experience in Minnesota last season. Maybe there is a 10 percent chance he plays in Russia this fall, but the expectation here is he will be in a Wild uniform when the season starts in October.

Forward Kevin Fiala, the Wild’s other most valued scorer, faces a contract arbitration hearing deadline Tuesday. The Wild won’t lose him for next season but Fiala could become an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

No decision or agreement has been made regarding NHL players participating in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, per a Friday news release from the Minnesota Wild. Talks remain ongoing, although as of now there is a pause in the 2022 NHL schedule from February 7-22 to allow participation. If there is no participation, a revised regular season schedule will be released.

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) announced Fridley’s Justin Reese as its 2020 Coach of the Year yesterday. His Tigers had a 7-0 record in 2020. Reese is the fifth ever Class 4-A coach to win the award.

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Twins Brass in Evaluation Mode

Posted on April 19, 2021April 19, 2021 by David Shama

The Minnesota Twins have experienced an unexpected start to the season. The club’s last three games have been postponed by MLB because of COVID-19 issues and the club is off to a slow start on the field with a 6-8 record.

Before the season the Twins were a consensus top 10-12 team, with some boosters listing Minnesota as one of MLB’s top half dozen clubs. The Twins opened the season going 5-2, but more recently the team is in an April swoon having lost six of its last seven games.

Close games have been troublesome. Minnesota is winless in extra innings and has lost four one-run games. But regardless of outcome and record, general manager Thad Levine likes a wait-and-see approach with his team each season.

Levine said he learned from baseball mastermind Billy Beane to evaluate your team in April and May, make necessary adjustments in June and July, and hopefully watch a championship contender in August and September.

“We’re going to take April and May to really evaluate the club,” Levine told Sports Headliners a few days ago. “We haven’t really had our opening day lineup, such as it is, play for a whole series together, and until that happens I think we’re just going to sit back and enjoy this club and make adjustments as necessary. …”

Injuries have impacted the team’s start. “So I think it’s a little bit premature to talk aggressively about trades at this juncture…because I think our team is still jelling,” Levine said.

As recently as last Monday MLB.com’s power rankings had Minnesota No. 4 behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees. That’s lofty company and Levine was asked about high expectations.

“Time will tell whether we earn that. I do think we’re a very talented team. The club has performed very well over the last couple of years. We have depth, we have quality, we have quantity on this club, and I think we expect to be very competitive this season.”

Spotrac.com reports the Twins rank near the MLB average for 2021 cash payrolls at $127,292,324. Because of the pandemic MLB’s 30 teams have suffered huge financial losses (perhaps over $70 million for the Twins) but Levine describes Minnesota ownership as “amazing” in its support of the organization. He said the Twins are among the minority of franchises who haven’t been forced to cut employees and “infrastructure.”

Levine also said he and president of baseball operations Derek Falvey experience an open door policy with club president Dave St. Peter and ownership to make their case regarding major roster changes, even if expensive. “Their support of our pursuit of putting a championship caliber team on the field has really never flagged,” said Levine who joined the Twins organization in 2016 along with Falvey.

Two names fans speculate about being part of the payroll in the future are starting pitcher Jose Berrios and center fielder Byron Buxton. Neither is signed long-term and the twosome are in their career prime years at 26 and 27. But signing them to lengthy extensions soon doesn’t appear likely.

Levine said that while contract negotiations are always kept private, usually the club prefers to get deals done during the offseason. The Twins’ approach is to allow players to keep their focus on the field and not divert their attentions to future contracts.

Worth Noting

Levine joking about April’s cold weather impact on baseball games: “Yeah, I have to wear a heavier coat when I am watching the team play.”

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer talking about defensive end Danielle Hunter who didn’t play last season: “He is a great team guy. He is a terrific player. He is one of the best people that I’ve been around in professional football.”

Happy Birthday today to 38-year-old Joe Mauer. He retired from the Twins in November of 2018.

The University of Minnesota athletic department has a tickets wait-list for the May 1 spring football game. The initial offering of 10,000 free tickets was claimed within a couple of hours, with the total restricted because of the pandemic. The largest Gophers spring game attendance in memory is a 1980s gathering (of over 40,000) at the Metrodome when promoter extraordinaire Lou Holtz was Minnesota’s head coach.

Kevin Harlan, the former Minnesota Timberwolves peerless play-by-play radio voice, speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers via Zoom Tuesday. Harlan, the 2019 National Sportscaster of the Year as selected by the National Sports Media Association, is the brother of Bryan Harlan, the agent who represents Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck.

Former Golden Gophers basketball public address announcer Dick Jonckowski said his chemo treatments for cancer are going well. He has stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The Wild, forecast before the season as a non-playoff team, could be one of the NHL’s best stories in the postseason with several players performing at a high level including 33-year-old goalie Cam Talbot who is on track to appear in more games in 2021 than he did the two previous years. Wild GM Bill Guerin gets the credit for acquiring Talbot, part of multiple moves that have improved the team.

With the death of Elgin Baylor last month, all the Minneapolis Lakers who are enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame are deceased. George Mikan was the first to be inducted in 1959, followed by Baylor, Jim Pollard, Slater Martin, Clyde Lovellette, Vern Mikkelsen and coach John Kundla.

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