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Enjoy a Sizzling Summer Minnesota Sports Trivia Column

Posted on June 25, 2024June 25, 2024 by David Shama

I’ve put together a sports trivia column to occupy any open minutes during the leisure days ahead including the Fourth of July holiday. Be prepared to stump yourself, family or friends—and anyone else.

Without much further ado, I present 20 questions with a mix of queries that include “softball” asks and a couple that might even stump trivia mastermind Dave Mona. For those who want to give up before starting, scroll down past question No. 20 to find the answers.

Mona used to organize an annual sports trivia contest with the finals broadcast on WCCO Radio. I sought his help for my exercise, and he didn’t disappoint.

“My favorite one (trivia question), is one I invented,” Mona said.

1. So here it is with Mona leading off with question No. 1: What baseball Hall of Famer has his name on nearly every small battery in the United States?

2. What’s the name of the Minnesota Wild’s mascot?

3. The Wild has three native born Minnesotans on its roster including Alex Goligoski and Vinni Lettieri. Who is the third?

4. In January of 2021 this Wild forward became the first player in NHL history to have three points, including an overtime goal, in his first game. Who is he?

5. Who were Minneapolis-St. Paul’s first NBA and NHL franchises?

6. This legend just retired from coaching the University of Minnesota baseball team. Name him.

7. Name the Minnesota golf club that has hosted every premier tournament of the PGA and USGA.

8. What was Bud Grant’s given name at birth?

9. Outfielder “Bombo” Rivera played for the Twins from 1978-1980. “Bombo” was his nickname but what was his real name?

10. Several years ago, these three slick fielding Twins outfielders liked to say: “Nothing falls (between them) but raindrops.” Who are they?

11. In 1968 Cesar Tovar of the Twins played every position in a game against the Oakland A’s. As a pitcher who did he strike out?

12. Name the public address announcer at the Metrodome who drew hoots with his warning: “No smoking in the Metrodome.”

13. Chad Hartman, son of media icon Sid Hartman, has a popular drive-time show on WCCO Radio. What powerhouse radio station did Chad work for prior to WCCO?

14. Who was the Viking who said “I play when I want to play” but then walked it back.

15. Who caught Bret Favre’s amazing 2009 touchdown pass to defeat the 49ers in game three of the season?

16. Who once said, “I play third-string center for the Vikings behind Mick Tingelhoff and Mick Tingelhoff hurt?”

17. Who is the former Golden Gopher basketball player who once made such a spectacular dunk at Williams Arena that ESPN referred to him as the “Jewish Jordan?”

18. Golden Gopher basketball coach Ben Johnson also played for Minnesota but at what school did he begin his Big Ten playing career?

19. Name the Golden Gophers football player who this summer is a preseason All-American.

20. What NBA honor did “The Big Ticket” win in 2004?

And the Answers Are…(See Grading at Bottom)

1. This is a real “groaner:” Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline. Get it: alkaline in batteries.

2. “Nordy”. Don’t know the species but word off the ice is that “Nordy” is a real party animal.

3. Emerging star Brock Faber, born in Maple Grove, Minnesota is the third native born player on the Wild roster.

4. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota’s star player. (Hope you’re building momentum with your answers to questions two, three and four).

5. The Minneapolis Lakers, who won five world championships in the City of Lakes, left town for Los Angeles after the 1959-1960 season, while the Minnesota North Stars, who never won a Stanley Cup, moved to Dallas after the 1992-1993 season.

6. John Anderson took over the University of Minnesota baseball program in 1981 and through his retirement last spring he coached in over half of all games the baseball Gophers ever played—dating back 136 years, per Joel Rippel from the Star Tribune.

7. Hazeltine National Golf Club has fulfilled the vision of more than 60 years ago that club founder Totton Heffelfinger and his colleagues had to bring the biggest of golf events to this area.

8. Harry Peter Grant, the great former Gophers athlete and Vikings head coach, died in March of 2023 and will forever be missed.

9. That was no “layup” question. Here’s the answer: Jesus Manuel Rivera. He got tagged with his nickname as a kid in Puerto Rico, with “Bombo” meaning flyball.

10. Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario were so slick in the field they could (presumably) even run down raindrops.

11. Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, “Mr. October”, was the batter Tovar struck out.

12. The late Bob Casey gave the no smoking edict and was the Twins’ public address voice every season from 1961-2004.

13. Chad Hartman was with KFAN prior to WCCO and almost a quarter century ago co-hosted “Chad and Barreiro” before he and Dan Barreiro split for separate shows on the station.

14. Controversial Randy Moss said those words in 2001 but gave “I play when I want to play” a different perspective after he retired from the NFL.

15. With 12-seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Vikings trailing 24-20 at the Metrodome, Favre threw deep into the end zone to WR Greg Lewis who tight-roped staying inbounds. The dramatic win made the Vikings 3-0 and got everyone believing a magical season awaited—and it did.

16. Center Godfrey Zaunbrecher watched the durable Tingelhoff play on and on. Tingelhoff never missed a game and started all 240 regular season games of his career that ended in 1978.

17. ESPN’s SportsCenter was blown away by Sam Jacobson’s spectacular dunk but incorrectly referred to him as “Jewish.”

18. Johnson, a college guard, started his Big Ten career at Northwestern (1999-2001) after graduating from Minneapolis DeLaSalle.

19. Athlon Sports College Football magazine named Gophers senior tackle Aireontae Ersery to its second team All-American offense. Phil Steele publications named the 6-6, 325 pound Ersery to its All-American third team.

20. Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett won the NBA MVP for the 2003-2004 season, averaging 24.2 points and 13.9 rebounds as Minnesota emerged as one of the league’s elite teams.

Grading: answer 16-20 correctly and you’re invited to write the next sports trivia column. Scoring 11-15 right is worth two pats on the back. A pat on the fanny—from your significant other—is the reward for answering 6-10 correctly. O-5? It’s not too late to enroll in sports trivia summer school classes.

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Owner Made Voice Heard on Wolves Technical Fouls

Posted on December 12, 2023December 16, 2023 by David Shama

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor often wasn’t happy with his underachieving team last season and among the annoyances were too many technical fouls. The Wolves led the NBA in technicals per game (0.7, Teamrankings.com), and had issues with flagrant fouls and ejections. Taylor spoke up about the mess during the offseason.

“Yeah, that was an issue and the coach (Chris Finch) and I talked about it this summer that we had to get that cut down,” Taylor told Sports Headliners. “And my point to him (was) that I think it starts with the coaches. That it’s what they (coaches and players) say to the refs, how they say it to the refs, what the refs expect.

“I said that I don’t think we’ll ever become a championship team unless we cut down the technicals. I…(said) I think the process just doesn’t work that way.

“And by fall I talked to the coach about it again and he said he had taken the time during the summer to address it with the players. And I said when I have my business of basketball meeting with the players—I do every year—did he mind if I brought it up again directly to the players?

“That I just thought it’s something that sets us back, our relationship with the refs, when we complain too much…and things like that, and we should think (about the problem). And everybody was very receptive. I think they all understood it.

“They sounded like they agreed with the coach and myself that it had to be something everybody would work on and try to cut it back. And I think so far—we’re a fourth of the way through the season—I think they’ve done a good job.”

The message got through and the Wolves this season no longer rank among the leaders in team technical fouls per game (Teamrankings.com). This is a more disciplined team on the court and that has contributed to an NBA best 17-5 record. Six of the wins have been by fewer than 10 points, results where the absence of technical fouls for misbehavior can impact the outcome of games.

Taylor, the Mankato-based billionaire, knew from his other businesses that leadership sets the tone for organizations. He made it clear to the well-respected Finch (Western Conference Coach of the Month October-November) that “you gotta make it very clear what your expectations are.” He encouraged Finch not to hold back in delivering the message and point out how arguing with the referees “over every play” was holding back team success.

In the past star forward Karl-Anthony Towns has too often let his emotions get the best of him and been a poster boy for whining to the officials. It’s a new KAT this season with improved body language, gestures and facial expressions.

“I would give that credit, most of that credit, to the coach,” Taylor said. “The coach has spent lots of time with KAT with film and looking over what he is doing and how he can adjust and how he can be a better teammate, not just score himself. And I think he has taken it to heart, and I think it has showed up.”

The Wolves, who did finish strong in a playoff series loss to the eventual NBA champion Nuggets, had a 42-20 regular season record in 2022-2023 after being 46-40 the season prior. More had been expected of a team that acquired All-NBA defensive center Rudy Gobert in the summer of 2022. But learning to play with Gobert, a long absence by KAT because of a persistent calf injury, and other issues, wrecked expectations.

The Gobert experiment (giving up a boatload of players and future draft picks) has become a success this season with the 11-year veteran anchoring a Wolves inside defense that’s among the most formidable in the league. He’s been an elite rebounder, too, including last week when he had consecutive 20 rebound games. Taylor sees a Gobert who is in better shape than last year, with more quickness and “spring to his step.”

Mr. Clutch for the Wolves has been 36-year-old point guard Mike Conley whose poise and experience late in games helps deliver big plays and shots. Taylor said the Wolves have known about Conley’s personal reputation of being a high-quality individual since he was at Ohio State.

It wasn’t until last winter, though, that new general manager Tim Connelly made a trade bringing him to the Wolves from the Jazz. Connelly has made moves to upgrade the roster, although during much of last season the acquisition of Gobert looked like a dud and was criticized across the country.

Taylor points out that it’s not only Gobert who has impacted the team but the acquisitions also of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Troy Brown have played key roles. Alexander-Walker has been starting most of the season for the injured Jaden McDaniels, perhaps the team’s best perimeter defender. Brown has made contributions off the bench and starting games recently when team scoring leader Anthony Edwards was injured.

Taylor was asked about the future of Target Center, the Timberwolves home and second oldest arena in the NBA. Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold has reportedly met with government officials about renovations to Xcel Energy Center which opened in 2000 and is home to the state’s NHL team. Taylor is selling majority control of the Wolves to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriquez. He sees them taking the leadership on the arena situation.

“Well, the way I’ve handled it so far is I’d told both Alex and Marc this is something they’ve got to get on,” Taylor said. “Get organized and understand how they’re going to go about it. Come up with a plan and start presenting it to the leadership throughout the community.

“ …You gotta persuade people to participate and share in costs and get people to agree. Will it be fix up this one? Or will it be something new? Or whatever it can be?”

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Pablo Lopez Can Flip Twins Series Outlook Tonight

Posted on October 8, 2023October 8, 2023 by David Shama

The way it looks now the Twins need a “W” tonight in Houston against the Astros if they are going to win their best of five American League Division Series. After losing Game 1 yesterday, the Twins can’t fall behind 2-0 in the series.

Those who think Minnesota can run off three straight against the defending World Champion Astros may also like Robert Kennedy’s chances in the 2024 presidential race.

It’s up to Pablo Lopez and the bullpen to control the Astros tonight, limiting Houston to a run or two while the Twins’ offense sends three or four runners across the plate. Otherwise, Minnesota has to win Games 3 and 4 in Minneapolis Tuesday and Wednesday, plus Friday back in Houston.

Whew!

Lopez likes pressure and he’s got it tonight after studying the Astro hitters yesterday in their 6-4 win. In Game 1 of the Wild Card series last Wednesday, he came through while pitching 5 and two-thirds innings and giving up one run to the Blue Jays. He delivered on the big stage in helping the Twins end their 18-game postseason losing streak.

Lopez’s goal tonight needs to be pitching beyond five innings. If he does, that means he’s sharp and his performance eases the toil on the bullpen. Yesterday the Twins used four relievers against the experienced Astros who are in the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

That bullpen, the fourth hardest throwing in the American League during the regular season, gave up three runs yesterday but none in the two game Wild Card sweep of the Blue Jays. Included in the results were four innings of no runs in relief of Sonny Gray in Game 2 of the Wild Card series last Thursday.

Gray and Lopez are two prime time starters that are the envy of many MLB teams. Ideally, when Gray, who pitched five shutout innings against the Blue Jays, goes to the mound Tuesday at Target Field he will be pitching to put his team ahead 2-1 in the ALDS series.

Worth Noting

One of the more curious moments in the Twins’ postseason came last Wednesday in Royce Lewis’ third time at bat. After homering in his first two plate appearances, Lewis faced a three balls and no strikes count, but wasn’t “green lighted” to swing away on the next pitch.

Likely driven by analytics and perhaps scripted for all Twins hitters before the game started, Lewis apparently was instructed by third base coach Tommy Watkins and manager Rocco Baldelli to take the next pitch, a called strike.

When the Gophers sold out their home game against Michigan Saturday night it was the first time since 2019 that Minnesota has twice filled its stadium in the same season. The Gophers also sold out their 2023 opener against Nebraska.

The 52-10 beat down by No. 2 ranked Michigan was a reminder of the talent gap between the Gophers and the best teams in college football. Minnesota at 3-3 will be challenged to win six games and qualify for a bowl game.

This week’s bye week ideally is an opportunity to have linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who hasn’t played all season, and running back Darius Taylor, out for the last two games, back in the lineup and recovered from injuries. Their return would help but nothing is more vital than improvement by the offensive line and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis who has been a disappointment including last night with two interceptions returned for scores by the Wolverines.

Vikings superstar receiver Justin Jefferson goes into today’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Chiefs leading the NFL in receiving yards with 543.

What’s the over-under for Patrick Mahomes TV commercials today in the Chiefs-Vikings game? Six.

How about the over-under for mentions of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance? Same. Six.

Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Mahomes leads the NFL with 49 touchdown passes. Viking QB Kirk Cousins is third with 40.

A broadcast crew that critics consider the best in the land covers today’s game for CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson.

Minnesota icon Dick Jonckowski has a special birthday October 22. “I will be 80,” he said. “Jeez cripes, I can’t believe it.”

The “Polish Eagle” wants everyone to know he is still available for public speaking and emcee duties. He is inviting friends and fans to stop by Mancini’s Char House on the evenings of October 14 and 20 when he will be joining the Midas Touch band and playing his trombone kazoo. Best news from the “Eagle” is being 13 months cancer free.

Jeff Drown image courtesy of Coady Photography

Longtime local horse racing supporter Steve Erban emailed a reminder that Minnesota owners have thoroughbreds who will be competing in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships next month at Santa Anita Park. Those horses are Zandon, owned by Jeff Drown from the St. Cloud area, and Zozos, owned by Barry and Joni Butzow from Eden Prairie.

Zandon will run in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 4, and televised by NBC with a post time of 5:40 p.m. Zozos will also run November 4, competing in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Classic, with FanDuel televising and a 1:30 p.m. post time.

Both thoroughbreds competed in the 2022 Kentucky Derby and are coming off recent wins. Zandon won the Woodward Stakes at Belmont, while Zozos triumphed at the Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Erban and wife Dorothy, along with Drown and the Butzows, are longtime owners of race horses at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. “Canterbury Park is a first-class Minnesota horse racing facility that could become one of the country’s premier summer race tracks with a higher purse structure,” Erban said via email. “It’s time the Minnesota State Legislature recognizes the need for a higher purse structure for the Minnesota horse racing industry. Minnesota, why not have the best?”

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