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Category: KIRILL KAPRIZOV

Big Homecoming Looms for Cubs Slugger and Simley Alum

Posted on July 7, 2025July 7, 2025 by David Shama

 

Enjoy a Monday notes column.

Michael Busch, the Simley High School alum, will be in town starting tomorrow night with his Cub teammates for a three-game series at Target Field against the Twins. Busch, 27, is having a career year in his third MLB season and is on a torrid pace at the plate.

He recently finished fourth in All-Star Game balloting among NL first basemen, and he has nine hits in his last 12 at bats, raising his season average to .297 to go along with 18 home runs and 56 RBI. Among the MLB leaders in slugging percentage and OPS, he hit four home runs in a two-game span last week. In his last 30 games, he is hitting .365 with 11 home runs and 26 RBI.

Born in Inver Grove Heights, the 6-1, 210-pound left-handed hitter was drafted out of the University of North Carolina in 2019 by the Dodgers in the first round.  The Dodgers sent Busch to the Cubs in a January 2024 trade after a rookie season in which he had only 72 at bats and hit .167.

The Cubs struck it right with the acquisition of Busch who last season hit .248 with 21 home runs.  Manager Craig Counsell told the Cubs official website last week that Busch has “turned into a great offensive player.”

Busch, who has seven siblings and is the son of Mike and Judy Busch, captained baseball, hockey and football teams at Simley.  The Interleague matchup means a rare road visit to Minneapolis by the Cubs who lead the NL Central Division with a 54-36 record.

July 7 Twins birthday club: former World Series outfielder Dan Gladden is 68; TV broadcaster Cory Provus is 47; and ex-broadcast voice John Gordon is 85.

A Sports Headliners reader offered this documentation on how bad Gopher men’s basketball has been compared to neighboring rivals Wisconsin and Iowa.

In the past 20 seasons:

Minnesota
Winning conference seasons: 1
NCAA Tournament wins: 2

Wisconsin
Winning conference seasons: 17
NCAA Tournament wins: 25

Iowa
Winning conference seasons: 9
NCAA Tournament wins: 4

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers July 17. Golf’s Zach Johnson, winner of two majors and captain of the 2023 American Ryder Cup team, addresses the group July 22 while in town for the annual 3M Open.

The 3M field includes defending champion Jhonattan Luis Vegas and 2022 titlist Tony Finau who has four top 10 career finishes in the tournament.  Local names playing at the July 21-27 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine are Frankie Capan III (Stillwater), former Gopher Erik van Rooyen and PGA veteran Tom Hoge who is a Fargo native.

Kirill Kaprizov

Looks like Wild GM Bill Guerin pulled off a savvy move by acquiring veteran winger and Russian native Vladimir Tarasenko from the Red Wings for future considerations. He turns 34 in December but is expected to help the Minnesota offense with his experience, playmaking and scoring. It doesn’t hurt that Tarasenko adds a second Russian teammate (along with Yakov Trenin) for Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov who the Wild hope will sign a contract extension this offseason.

Koi Perich, Anthony Smith and Darius Taylor, all underclassmen and receiving preseason recognition for honor teams from college football authorities, will represent the Golden Gophers at Big Ten Football Media Days later this month in Las Vegas, along with head coach P.J. Fleck.  The Gophers will receive the media focus on July 23.  The Big Ten Network will have live coverage of all 18 conference teams July 22, 23 and 24.

A belated happy birthday to former Golden Gophers trainer Jim Marshall who turned 95 on July 3.

Congratulations to legendary Minnesota prep coaches Brian Cosgriff and Larry McKenzie on their respective selections as National Coach of the Year for girls and boys basketball as recognized in June by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

Comments Welcome

Twins Prolific Statue Builders, But Where’s Everybody Else?

Posted on May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 by David Shama

 

In April Joe Mauer became the eighth former Twin to have a statue commemorating his career.  The Twins haven’t built a World Series champion in more than 30 years, but the organization is prolific in erecting statues at Target Field.

Carew statue

The eight bronze sculptures have been a nice gig for Minnesota-based artist Bill Mack whose Twins assignments include Rod Carew (April 2010), Harmon Killebrew (April 2010), Kirby Puckett (April 2010), Carl and Eloise Pohlad (October 2010), Tony Oliva (April 2011), Kent Hrbek (April 2012) and Tom Kelly (June 2017).

It seems to this sportswriter and historian that Mr. Mack could assist other local teams whose “statue cupboard” is collectively quite bare.  Those organizations don’t have to adopt an “on steroids” statue building campaign but for starters they could consider the following suggested candidates:

The Vikings.  Ah, yes, let’s start with the franchise that is more important to zealots than family, friends and perhaps their own welfare.  With Adrian Peterson dogged by too many controversies, including a driving incident last month in Minnesota, it’s easier to clear the nominations field for other candidates.

Gracing the cement outside U.S. Bank Stadium should be a statue of Harry Peter Grant. Yes, Bud coached the Vikings to four Super Bowls, and while they all resulted in defeats, he remains atop the “Purple” coaching tree and is among the franchise’s most iconic figures.  Are we forever to be outdone by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who unveiled a bronze statue of Bud years ago near their stadium?

Bud should be joined at U.S. Bank Stadium by a statue of the famed “Purple People Eaters” from his era as coach.  The legendary defensive line scared the deuce out of opposing offenses for about a decade and consisted mostly of Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen.

At Target Center the legendary George Mikan, voted Mr. Basketball for the first half of the 20th century, is remembered with a lobby statue recognizing both him and the five-time world champion Minneapolis Lakers.  The successor to the Lakers franchise in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves, have done little to approach the greatness of Mikan and Company but that wasn’t the fault of Kevin Garnett.

The former Wolves power forward, who late in his career won an NBA title with the Celtics, was a first ballot Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer in the class of 2020.   Fifteen times in his career he was named an NBA all-star.  Playing for the Wolves, he was league MVP for the 2003-2004 season.

The other Target Center basketball team, the Lynx, has won four WNBA championships. Get Mr. Mack on speed-dial and task him with sculpting a five-person statue of the dynastic group of Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles and Lindsay Whalen. Fowles and Whalen are in the Hall of Fame, while Augustus and Moore will be inducted later this year.

Whalen, the Hutchinson native who led the Gophers to their 2004 historic Final Four, is deserving of a statue outside Williams Arena.  Women’s basketball at Minnesota and the Whalen name are synonymous.

On the men’s side, immortality isn’t so clear cut.

The program has a controversial past marked by NCAA violations that have clouded glorious accomplishments and memories.  The most accepted place to start, with buy-in from both fans and compliance-minded U administrators, would be a statue of the first three scholarship Black players at Minnesota.  Lou Hudson, Archie Clark and Don Yates were marvelous recruits who made the 1964-65 Gophers among the best teams in America, finishing the season with a 19-5 and ranked No. 7 in the nation.

With its ageless “pride on ice” program mantra, Gopher men’s hockey has a long list of superb contributors to championships and other honors.  The U Athletic Department should dig deep into its past, though, to honor two Minnesotans with bronze statues.

John Mayasich, who played for Minnesota from 1951-1955, is regarded as one of the greatest amateur players in the history of American hockey.  Labeled the Wayne Gretzky of his time, Mayasich was a four-time All-American, and he remains the Gophers’ all-time leader in career goals (144) and points (298) in 111 games played.

The Gophers have won five NCAA men’s hockey national championships.  The immortal Herb Brooks, the architect of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Miracle on Ice, coached three of those teams in his short tenure as Gopher coach. From 1972-1979 Brooks, a St. Paul native, dedicated his roster to using home grown talent and won national titles in 1974, 1976 and 1979.

The potential workload for Mr. Mack is growing and it only gets heavier with Gopher football.  Huntington Bank Stadium is built on a fairly tight footprint but make way for these five statutes:

Bronko Nagurski is one of the most famous names in college football lore.  In the latter 1920s he played tackle, fullback, defensive and offensive end, linebacker and even quarterback. A beast whose strength was way ahead of his day, he was named a consensus All-American in 1929 at two positions, tackle and fullback.

Bernie Bierman, the “Grey Eagle.”  How can you not memoralize the coach of five national championship teams: 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1940 and 1941.

Bruce Smith.  Can’t leave out the only Heisman Trophy winner in program history who was a great tailback on the 1941 national title team.  And, oh yeah, Hollywood made a move about him: “Smith of Minnesota.”  He was one of the stars, of course.

Bobby Bell, like Nagurski, could have been a great player at multiple positions.  He settled for terrorizing opposing offenses as a defensive tackle on national title and Rose Bowl teams that went 22-6-1 from 1960-1962.  He was the 1962 Outland Trophy recognizing the nation’s best interior lineman.

Greg Eslinger.  Gotta include one person who played recently enough that most Gopher fans who are alive today saw him play.  The most decorated offensive lineman in school history during a career that spanned from 2002-2005, the two-time All-American will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.

Herb Brooks statue

A Herb Brooks statue is in place close to Xcel Energy Center, home of the Wild.  Located at 317 Washington street, the statue is adjacent to the RiverCentre and Herbie’s on the Park, the restaurant where you can order a Moscow Mule—a favorite libation of the late Mr. Brooks.  No other hockey statue is in the neighborhood and that’s understandable given the Wild’s fairly brief and modest history.

While Wild fans might dream of Stanley Cups and a storybook career for Kirill Kaprizov that could one day warrant a statue, the suggestion here is for the Wild to play a little politics.  In search of funding to renovate the arena, including monies from the city of St. Paul, the Wild could honor former mayor Norm Coleman.

Without Coleman’s effort to build the arena and romance the NHL to put a team back in Minnesota to replace the North Stars, there would be no Wild.  At least in St. Paul which was in competition with Minneapolis for an NHL team.

I remember a local magazine cover from more than 25 years ago with Coleman sitting at his desk, wearing ice skates on his feet and resting them on top of his desk. I will try to find the photo if Mr. Mack calls.

Build a statue for Norm at his arena.

4 comments

Ryan Tannehill May Still Wait in Wings for Vikings QB Job

Posted on May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 by David Shama

 

Concerns about 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy and whether he can pull his weight this fall in his first year as an NFL starting quarterback won’t be answered until at least after the first several games of the regular season.  Even if he delivers, injuries could sideline him from leading an offense that is a vital part of a Minnesota Super Bowl contender.

Doubts are present now and could increase about whether newly acquired 24-year-old Sam Howell can be a quality replacement for McCarthy if needed. Before completing a deal with the Seahawks for Howell in April, the Vikings reportedly had conversations with 36-year-old Ryan Tannehill who sat out last season but is a former Pro Bowler.

A former front office executive with NFL clubs, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered perspective on Howell and Tannehill. “I thought they’d sign Tannehill who is more accomplished than Howell, but there’s a big cap savings as Howell costs $1.1 million this season. And Tannehill would’ve been at least at the $10 million they paid (Sam) Darnold last year.

“And they can perhaps put this cap savings toward re-signing Stephon Gilmore or another quality corner which would help the corner situation that wasn’t addressed in the draft, or a good vet safety to compete with Theo Jackson, with Cam Bynum gone.

“Howell at least is a decent and somewhat experienced QB with 18 starts in Washington in two years (2022-2023).  In 2023 (17 starts) he threw 21 TD passes but also led the league with 21 interceptions. Also had five rushing TDs that season so he can run a bit.

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

“Kevin O’Connell will coach up Howell to be more careful with his throws. They only invested a swap of fifth round spots to get Howell so if he doesn’t perform well enough in training camp and preseason games, or if McCarthy gets re-injured or isn’t where they want him to be, they could still try to sign Tannehill during training camp or in regular season.”

Tannehill expressed desire last season to play for an NFL team but was selective about the opportunity that he would welcome.  The Vikings, during the summer or season, with their loaded roster and superb coaching, might well be of interest to the veteran who last played for the Titans. But Minnesota could also need to be convinced he is the right guy to ride in on the white horse wearing a white hat.

It’s believed Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins like horses, too.

Worth Noting

The prediction here is the Timberwolves will win their best of seven Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Warriors in six games.  The Wolves have more length, depth and a better blend of youth and experience. The Warriors are uber dependent on Steph Curry, 37, and 35-year-olds Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

Warrior fans should jump off the Golden Gate Bridge if any of three are injured and sidelined in the series that begins tomorrow night at Target Center.

The Wild need to extend star forward Kirill Kaprizov’s contract this offseason or the next.  How important is the assignment?

“Oh (blank),” Lou Nanne told Sports Headliners. “It’s the franchise.  How important is it to be in the league?”

The team’s offseason to-do list should also include adding two or three quality forwards, Nanne said.  He believes the roster has a good core but can improve with help at the wing and center spots.  The defense can get a boost too if young defenders David Jiricek and Zeev Buium come through, he added.

Nanne, the state of Minnesota hockey legend who turns 84 next month, predicts the Panthers and Stars will play in the 2025 Stanley Cup finals. The healthier team will win, he believes. “It should be a big series between those two, I would think.”

No doubt Twins fans are frustrated after last season’s 12-27 finish to the schedule and this year’s 15-20 start.  Dave Mona, for example, posted this on Facebook recently: “I’ve been a Twins fan since they moved here in 1961, but it’s getting harder and harder. (Edouardo) Julien is a liability at second base. (Jorge) Alcala is (a) disaster in the bullpen. The offense is loaded with guys who can’t hit. …Their best prospects can’t seem to recover from sprained ankles and pulled hamstrings. Hard to watch.”

Don’t be surprised if the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports and Events group bring the NFL Draft to Minneapolis for the first time ever, perhaps in 2029.  The host cities have been announced for the next two drafts, Pittsburgh in 2026 and Washington D.C. in 2027. The draft drew a record breaking 775,000 fans in Detroit about a year ago.

Marcus & Bruggers

Congratulations to Sam Bruggers from Champlin Park for his film work on winning the annual Bob Marcus Award from the Football Film Federation.  High school football film is a backbone of success for prep programs.  The Marcus award is named after the successful former Gopher and Viking video expert.

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