Sports Drafts – Page 3 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Historic July for Local Pro Franchises

Posted on July 11, 2021July 11, 2021 by David Shama

Welcome to a Sunday notes column:

Because of the pandemic and disruption of schedules, MLB, the NHL and NBA hold player drafts this month. It’s unprecedented for fans of the Twins, Wild and Timberwolves to be following all three drafts in July.

The 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft starts today in Denver and continues through Tuesday. The Twins have the No. 26 selection in the first round and may take a college pitcher. This is the first time the MLB Draft has been part of events built around the All-Star Game (Tuesday night).

The Twins, with a 38-50 record, may earn a .500 record by season’s end. Regardless, they won’t finish with MLB’s worst record in 2021 and thereby qualify for the first pick in the 2022 draft. Twins draftniks have joked about a “tank for Elijah” campaign, referring to super prospect outfielder Elijah Green who is a favorite to go No. 1 in 2022.

The NHL Draft will be July 23-24 at the NHL Network Studio in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Wild draft position is late in the first round but Minnesota does have two picks at No. 21 and 25. The organization needs scoring and playmaking including at center, with that priority likely addressed on July 23.

The Wild will also target the center position in the offseason by looking for a veteran center. Buffalo Sabre Jack Eichel could be on the shopping list.

The NBA Draft will be July 29 in New York and the Timberwolves don’t have a selection in either of the league’s two rounds. Put the odds, though, at 50-50 this will change between now and July 29, with basketball boss Gersson Rosas making a trade with another club for a choice or two in the draft.

The Golden State Warriors have the Wolves first round pick because of the 2020 trade that sent Andrew Wiggins to California and brought D’Angelo Russell to Minneapolis. Wiggins exceeded expectations for the Warriors last season, while an injured Russell missed 26 games because of knee surgery. The defensive limitations of Russell, the performance of Wiggins at both ends of the court in 2021, and having the Wolves’ No. 7 first round draft spot, prompted this opinion last month from NBCsports.com about Golden State executive Bob Myers:

“Myers robbed Gersson Rosas blind and simply left Russell in his office with a thank you card attached.”

Former Gophers star Max Meyer, now in the Miami Marlins organization, is scheduled to pitch in today’s Futures All-Star game in Denver. Meyer is among minor league baseball’s most promising prospects. Josh Winder, a right-hander like Meyer, will represent the Twins via the St. Paul Saints. Winder is 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA in two minor league stops this year.

Before the trade deadline it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Twins move shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the Cincinnati Reds for prospects. The Reds are trying to win the NL Central and have a need at short. The Twins could call up MLB veteran JT Riddle from the St. Paul Saints and finish the season with him. Top prospect Royce Lewis is likely to be Minnesota’s long-term answer at shortstop.

The Twins rotate analysts on TV telecasts but no one compares with 82-year-old Jim Kaat who in recent weeks has been working the booth with play-by-play man Dick Bremer. Listening to Kaat’s insights and storytelling can be better than the game. Within moments his infallible baseball mind might be recalling the first game he ever saw (1946 Briggs Stadium, Tigers and Red Sox), and then advising Twins hitters to focus less on launch angles and more on “situational hitting.”

Word is now retired Mikko Koivu could become a coach with the Finnish national team, and an ambassador for the Minnesota Wild.

In members-only meetings (no guests) the Twin Cities Dunkers will hear from Gophers basketball coach Ben Johnson Tuesday and Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck August 3.

It’s been more than two months since Dave Lee signed off as host of WCCO Radio’s early morning show, with no replacement announced yet. Did a broadcaster from public radio turn down the job? The station should promote news reporter Adam Carter to fill the vacancy. The nephew of former Gophers football captain Jim Carter, Adam is smart, articulate, interesting and personable.

Baseball fan and Murray’s owner Tim Murray will visit Globe Life Field in early August to watch the Texas Rangers. The club’s new home is the only MLB stadium Murray hasn’t experienced.

Bill Robertson’s first day as president and commissioner of the United States Hockey League is Monday. He will headquarter in the same Bloomington office he used as commissioner of the men’s WCHA.

Former Viking Matt Birk will be master of ceremonies of the Taste Fore The Tour fundraiser at Interlachen Country Club July 19. The celebrity attended event and related activities raise funds for Volunteers Enlisted to Help People, the large Twin Cities food panty. A Taste Fore The Tour celebrity recipe collection booklet features 25 recipes, including from Birk, Lou Nanne, Mark Parrish and top local chefs. Each booklet costs $30 and is enough for VEAP to feed one person for a month. More at TasteForeTheTour.com, or HungerRelatedEvents.org.

The Minute Men Amateur Athletic Foundation 2021 scholarship was awarded to Henry Sibley scholar-athlete Brandon Morris.

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Odds So-So on Vikings Home Run Pick

Posted on April 28, 2021April 28, 2021 by David Shama

What is the likelihood the Minnesota Vikings will make a home run pick in the seven round NFL Draft that begins Thursday and ends Saturday? Can general manager Rick Spielman find another Justin Jefferson (class of 2020) or Dalvin Cook (2017)?

In the last five drafts Jefferson and Cook have turned out to be the only high impact players from those years. That’s 40 percent on franchise-turning selections and shows it’s challenging being a draft specialist like Spielman.

There’s no guarantee of drafting an elite player in the first round. Laquon Treadwell, the 2016 first rounder, was a bust. Mike Hughes, from 2018, has struggled to get on the field, and while 2019 first rounder Garrett Bradbury has been a two-year starter he hardly draws raves.

Dalvin Cook (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Jefferson went late in the first round and made Spielman look like prophetic after having one of the best rookie seasons ever for an NFL wide receiver. Cook wasn’t selected until the second round but his production at running back is worthy of all-pro recognition and he carries the offense.

With draft results dicey despite all the expertise and man hours devoted to the process, it’s no wonder Spielman hoards draft choices hoping to find a gem. “I treasure those and I try to collect as many as I can,” Spielman said after the Vikings drafted an NFL record 15 players in 2020.

Spielman has extra picks going into Thursday’s draft but is without a second rounder. With that hole and his reputation for making trades, it’s likely the Vikings will fill their void. Having 11 picks also allows Spielman to draft players who otherwise he would have to pursue as college free agents.

Spielman predicted at his news conference yesterday if the Vikings stay at No. 14 in the first round they will acquire a “very good football player.” Much of the speculation is he will take an offensive tackle at No. 14 but Spielman gave no hints about what he will do and indicated the Vikings will choose the proverbial best player available. “There is no position off limits in this draft,” he said.

The Vikings’ evaluators spend a lot of time anticipating where players will fall in the draft with 600 prospects currently on their board. Spielman said 100 of those prospects play the same position but, of course, didn’t offer further information.

Worth Noting

Condolences to my friend Denny Schulstad following the recent death of his wife Pam. The Schulstads shared many interests including their passion for Golden Gophers football.

The improving Minnesota Timberwolves, with a 19-44 season record, have won three consecutive games after defeating the Houston Rockets last night. Minnesota’s reserves out-scored Houston’s 54-23 in the 114-107 win. The 54 points total made the Wolves second in the NBA in bench scoring at 40.8 per game.

Minnesota Twins radio play-by-play voice Cory Provus had a candid interview about MLB’s slow pace of play with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli last Sunday, prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Provus referenced a startling stat—last season fans waited an average of four minutes during games to see the baseball put in play (see Tom Verducci’s SI.com March 17 article). In the noon to 12:30 p.m. interview Baldelli acknowledged the concerns about lengthy games and said he is interested to see how experimental changes in the minor leagues will work.

Baldelli misses the friendship and wisdom of Mike Bell, the superb Twins bench coach who died of kidney cancer earlier this year. Bell, 46, had extensive experience in various baseball roles including player development.

Look for Twins Kyle Garlick, Max Kepler and Miguel Sano to return soon. Sano has a hamstring strain, Garlick and Kepler are on COVID IL.

Kenta Maeda, who was the losing pitcher for the Twins last night against the Cleveland Indians, now has a surprising 6.56 ERA (career 3.84). Cold weather this spring has apparently been a challenge for Maeda who joined the Twins in 2020 when the pandemic impacted season didn’t begin until July—and before that pitched in Los Angeles for the Dodgers. Lower temps can make it more difficult to grip the baseball.

Ticket King owner Mike Nowakowski said tickets for the much anticipated Gophers-Buckeyes football game at TCF Bank Stadium Thursday, September 2 start at $100 and he has sold more than 300 tickets. “Every Gopher fan has circled that game on his calendar, much more than the Badgers or Nebraska,” he said.

The Vikings’ 2021 home schedule is loaded with box office draws including a rare Minneapolis visit by the Pittsburgh Steelers from the AFC. The Steelers have fan following in Minnesota and next fall could be the last season for 39-year-old quarterback hero Ben Roethlisberger. “We’ll get nailed (ticket demand) on that one,” Nowakowski said.

Goal Line Club members on Friday will watch a Zoom preview of Saturday’s Gopher spring game from Ryan Burns and Luke Buer of Gopher Gridiron Podcast. Attendance for the game at TCF Bank Stadium is capped at 10,000.

It’s farewell week for WCCO Radio’s Dave Lee who is leaving the station after 30 years to retire. Lee has spent 29 of those years hosting his popular morning show, rising early in the morning to be at the station by 3:45 a.m. Asked about retirement plans, Lee quipped, “Use the summer to sleep past three in the morning.”

Lee was the radio play-by-play voice of Gophers football for 10 years and basketball for five. He had to give up basketball sooner than he wanted because his absence from the morning show impacted listening audience and potential advertising revenues. Lee told Sports Headliners he will continue play-by-play TV for the state football and basketball tournaments, and is considering other freelance opportunities.

Lee, 67, has been named Minnesota Sportscaster of the Year six times. A North Dakota native, he has been working at some job since he was 12. “I’ve never not worked,” Lee said as he thought what retirement might be like.

Brian Cosgriff, Paige Buecker’s high school coach at Hopkins, said the University of Connecticut freshman who won multiple national player of the year awards, is lifting weights to add strength to her 5-foot-11 frame. “I know if anybody is going to train hard, it’s Paige Bueckers,” Cosgriff told Sports Headliners.

The Huskies lost to Arizona in a Final Four semifinal game earlier this month. Next year’s NCAA Tournament Final Four is in Minneapolis. “I know her goal is nothing short of a national championship,” Cosgriff said.

CORES spokesman Jim Dotseth said the organization is hopeful about resuming its lunch programs in September. Featuring local sports speakers, CORES has yet to meet this year because of the pandemic. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

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Vikings to Pick O-Lineman, But Wait

Posted on April 26, 2021April 26, 2021 by David Shama

Mock NFL Drafts have the Minnesota Vikings choosing an offensive lineman with their No. 14 first round selection Thursday night. “I would go offensive lineman, there is no doubt about that,” agreed former Viking Bob Lurtsema.

Lurtsema, who still follows the team with passion, was asked about taking the best player regardless of position. “I’d go best offensive lineman (available),” he answered.

That could be Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw who has excelled at the offensive line position the Vikings need the most help at, left tackle. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, with limited mobility, needs a stud left tackle to protect his blind side and Darrisaw’s athleticism is impressive.

No guarantee, though, Darrisaw will be available when the Vikings make their first round pick. It’s a possibility he will, with as many as five quarterbacks expected to eat up draft slots early in the draft. Oregon’s Penei Sewell is the most coveted offensive lineman in the draft and almost certain not to be available to the Vikings unless Minnesota moves up the draft board with a trade.

Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater and USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker could both be available to Minnesota. Both have shorter arms than ideal, with Slater’s arm extension measured at 33 inches and Vera-Tucker’s 32⅛, per NFL.com. Lurtsema said his long arms were a key in his playing 12 years on the defensive line in the NFL. Extra extension is important for offensive and defensive linemen, with the man in control able to move a foe like the guy is on roller skates. “You’ve got total control,” Lurtsema said.

Darrisaw’s arm length is 34¼ inches, but neither he, Slater or Vera-Tucker may be Minnesota’s preferred selection in the first round. Vikings’ needs include an edge rusher to pair with Danielle Hunter, or even replace the talented defensive end if Minnesota can’t meet future contract expectations. Although the Vikings have given extra attention to adding defensive personnel in the offseason, they still might pass on an offensive lineman to take Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye.

Paye has the kind of athleticism and explosive style that excites both fans and scouts. He has also been praised for his work ethic and leadership. Although his football playing experience is limited and fundamentals need to improve, he might be too much for defensive-minded Vikings coach Mike Zimmer to pass up.

Worth Noting

Gophers Rashod Bateman and Benjamin St-Juste could go in the first and third rounds respectively. Wide receiver Bateman impresses with his route running, while St-Juste has the long arms not common for cornerbacks.

Sports Illustrated notes that Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago was the first player selected in the inaugural NFL Draft 85 years ago but never played in the league because he wanted to try out for the Olympic Decathlon team and he “could make more money as a foam rubber salesman.”

Jeff Diamond, the former Vikings GM, offers his NFL expertise on TalkNorth.com podcasts. Diamond, who started with the Vikings as an intern, also was president of the Tennessee Titans.

An NHL authority, speaking anonymously, said Minnesota Wild rookie scoring sensation Kirill Kaprizov has “(Wayne) Gretzky traits behind the net.” Kaprizov excels there in setting up goals and points, just like the “The Great One,” the source said. He’s not suggesting Kaprizov is another Gretzky but he is impressed how the young Russian has transitioned to success on the ice in the NHL.

Kaprizov has fit in with the team’s culture, too. His affable manner makes him a comfortable teammate to be around. Another player with his talent could be a prima donna but Kaprizov, who turns 24 today, is the opposite.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, with a season record of 17-44, are 5-6 since enigmatic guard D’Angelo Russell returned to the team from injury April 5. With a new hair-do and improved play, the talented Russell is averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds since his return.

Russell scored 23 points in Minnesota’s win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City Saturday night. The Wolves are 2-0 against the Jazz this season, even though Utah has the best record in the NBA at 44-16. Wagering money will be on a Jazz win tonight (Monday) when the teams meet in Minneapolis.

FanSided’s “way-too-early” Big Ten basketball power rankings for next season have coach Ben Johnson’s Gophers No. 12, ahead of Northwestern and Nebraska.

Admirers of legendary coach John Anderson (40 years into leading the Golden Gophers baseball program) are hoping he and athletic director Mark Coyle will soon announce details about a new multiyear contract. The all-time winningest baseball coach in Big Ten history and a high character leader, Anderson is in the last year of his contract.

That was 82-year-old former Minnesota Twin Tony Oliva, a .304 lifetime hitter, taking his golf clubs to a suburban Minneapolis driving range last week.

The Twins, in their 60th season based in Minnesota, had an exasperating loss for the ages last Wednesday against the Athletics in Oakland. The A’s scored an improbable 13-12 walk-off win in the 10th inning without a base hit. A pair of two-out walks and a mishandled game-ending ground ball by Minnesota second baseman Travis Blankenhorn loaded the bases before a throwing error by third baseman Luis Arraez allowed the winning run to score. A Sports Headliners reader and Twins fan described the mess as a “top 10 loss” in franchise history.

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