Twins – Page 118 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Wolves Can Adjust on James Harden

Posted on April 17, 2018April 17, 2018 by David Shama

A Tuesday notes column with predictions on the Wolves and Wild, plus voices in support of youth football, items on MLB and the Twins, and more.

An NBA authority with decades of experience in the league has suggestions on how the Timberwolves can defend the Rockets’ James Harden who scorched them for 44 points on 15 of 26 shooting including 7 of 12 three pointers in his team’s Game One playoff win Sunday night.

“First thing I’d do is pick up full court (defensively on the Rockets)—not to steal the ball but to use up clock,” said the source who didn’t want his name identified.

The strategy is to take time off the 24-second shot clock, perhaps forcing the Rockets to use eight seconds or so to move the ball into the front court while eliminating time for Harden and the Rockets to set up their offense, including extra ball movement or dribbling. “He’s a hell of a player and great shooter,” the authority said of Harden who led the NBA in points per game during the regular season at 30.4.

Another suggestion is overplaying Harden to either his right or left, forcing him to move in the direction determined by the Wolves defender. As a strategy, other Wolves defenders stay alert to helping on Harden and with two men on him the superstar point guard may give up the ball to teammates or force a difficult shot. The source said this can also eliminate fouling and sending Harden to the free throw line (nine attempts, seven made, most of any player Sunday).

The Rockets had the best regular season record in the NBA, while the Wolves qualified in the last game for the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. Although there is minimal optimism about the Wolves’ chances against Houston, the Sports Headliners source thinks the best of seven series could go to the final game with the Rockets winning.

“They’re (the Wolves) better than their season record. …They have good young talent and are well coached,” the source said.

A Wild win tonight at home against the Jets evens the series at 2-2. A hockey source, who before the playoffs predicted Minnesota will lose in six games, described tonight’s matchup as a “momentum game.” A Wild win could mean Minnesota goes seven games against the Jets but a loss puts the team down 3-1 in the series and headed back to Winnipeg for Friday night’s game.

Give the Wild credit for showing fight Sunday night at the Xcel Energy Center. Not only was Minnesota down 2-0 in the series but fell behind 1-0 in the game. “The Jets tried to play physical but the Wild didn’t back down,” said the source.

The most interesting angle tonight could be if Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck—after being pulled during Sunday night’s 6-2 loss—plays with confidence. That was his first ever road playoff game.

The Wild probably generated $2 million or more from revenues at Sunday night’s home game, and projects to do the same tonight.

Bob Motzko (photo courtesy of Minnesota Athletic Communications)

Bob Motzko, named the Golden Gophers’ new hockey coach in late March, hasn’t announced who will be on his staff. He will do the “Let’s Play Hockey” call tonight before the Wild-Jets game.

There were legislative initiatives earlier this year in the states of Illinois and New York that would ban tackle football for children younger than 12—citing concerns over head injuries. From Hollywood to Hoboken, much has been said and written about the dangers of head injuries from football, a sport under attack in America.

Supporters, though, point to information showing other activities, including cheerleading, have caused more head injuries among youth. They also talk about the virtues and lessons learned from what many educators regard as the ultimate team sport.

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association and Minnesota State High School League are promoting an event May 5 at Mounds View High School called the Minnesota Football Summit. The purpose is to “develop a plan for short and long range action steps to benefit youth and high school participants and programs throughout Minnesota.” Youth and prep football coaches, and athletic directors, are encouraged to attend. More at Mnfootballcoaches.com.

Former Viking and St. Paul native Matt Birk, now a consultant for the NFL, told Sports Headliners that the Illinois and New York initiatives have failed. He believes “states can find bigger things they can focus on.” He speaks from experiences in high school, college and the pros when supporting his sport.

“Football is such a great game,” Birk said. “It has so much to offer young people. We don’t need to make any apologies.

“Of course we’re always going to try to make it better and safer. …I think it’s just fine for the most part the way it is. We need to make sure people know that the reason why you play football is because it’s great for the overall development of kids. You can learn a lot of things that will serve you well for the rest of your life.”

Birk has a nine-year-old son who played tackle football for the first time last fall. “He had a great time. He loves football. He loves being out there with his friends.”

Birk said his eight-year-old son asks almost every day if he can play football when he turns nine. The answer will be yes because Birk sees it as his responsibility to encourage kids to participate in activities they are enthusiastic about.

The NFL promotes co-ed flag football programs for ages 9-10 and 11-12, and 13-14 for boys, and 13-14 for girls. “Anything that gets kids involved with football is great,” Birk said. “There should be options for kids. If you want to play flag, they can play flag. If you want to play tackle, play tackle. …We have an obesity epidemic in this country. If kids want to do stuff, then gosh dang, we should find a way for them to do it.”

Birk said it would have been nice to see Case Keenum rewarded with a new and richer contract for his role in last season’s success, but the Vikings obviously identified new quarterback Kirk Cousins as an upgrade “which he may be.” The Vikings have a window of opportunity with a talented roster. “It seems like everything is there,” Birk said. “Kind of going all in right now to push for a Super Bowl run.”

A sports industry source was told the Twins, as the host team in the two-game Puerto Rico series against the Indians that starts tonight, are guaranteed by MLB the sum of their average Target Field game revenues. That figure could be about $1.3 million per game in Minneapolis, or for two games against the Indians in San Juan a total of $2.6 million, plus expenses.

Look for MLB to improve its April scheduling next year with northern teams likely to have fewer home dates the first two weeks of the month. Half of MLB’s 30 teams are either located in warm weather cities, or have domes.

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Getting Trivial about the Twins

Posted on April 5, 2018April 10, 2018 by David Shama

The Twins open their 2018 home schedule today and Sports Headliners joins in the festivities offering the following trivia quiz about Minnesota’s Major League Baseball team. Whether at the game gulping hot coffee, or at home huddled near the TV and fireplace, try your luck at answering these 25 questions (with answers at the bottom). Let me know your score.

1. What year did Target Field open?

2. How many years have the Twins opened their regular season schedule at Target Field?

3. How many games is Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco suspended for until he can rejoin the team?

4. These three starting pitchers combined to hold the Orioles to five hits and no runs in Minnesota’s opening series of the year. Name the pitchers.

5. Who is the current Twin that was the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2017?

6. Name the American League club that had three former Twins in its opening day lineup this season.

7. What is the coldest temperature ever for a Twins home opener?

8. Where did the Twins play and against what team when they opened the 1961 regular season schedule?

9. This former Twins skipper in the 1970s also once managed the Minneapolis Millers. Name him.

10. Three times in the last 30 years a Twins skipper has been named American League Manager of the Year. Name the managers and the years they were honored.

11. In what years did the Twins win their two World Series titles?

12. In what Caribbean island will the Twins play a two-game series later this month?

13. Who is the oldest player on the Twins’ roster and what is his age?

14. This Minnesota native and former Twin now pitches for the Phillies. Who is he?

15. In the past Twins TV analyst Bert Blyleven has often talked about his birthday. When is his birthday?

16. The parents of this Twins regular were ballet dancers. Who is he?

17. If Joe Mauer decided to play college football coming out of high school, where was he headed?

18. Who is the Twins player Torii Hunter refers to as “Mighty Mouse”?

19. This former Twins pitcher will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York later this year. Who is he?

20. What year did the Twins draw over 3 million fans?

21. Who is the former Twins left-handed pitcher that said owner Calvin Griffith threw nickels around like “manhole covers?”

22. Brian Dozier led the Twins in home runs with 34 last year? Who was second on the team and how many did he hit?

23. This new Twin is known for his upper cut home run swing. Who is he?

24. Who was the public address announcer at the Metrdoome who drew hoots with his warning, “No smoking in the Metrodome.”

25. Who are the only Twins ever to collect 2,000 hits in their careers in Minnesota?

Trivia Quiz Answers Below

1. Target Field opened to acclaims in 2010 and has remained on short lists ranking the best baseball stadiums in America.

2. The only time the Twins have opened a season at Target Field was in 2013 (April Fool’s Day) when the Tigers won 4-2.

3. Jorge Polanco, who tested positive for a positive-enhancing substance, is suspended by MLB for the first 80 games of the 2018 season.

4. Jose Berrios, Kyle Gibson and Jake Odorizzi combined to shutout the Orioles over 21 innings and held Baltimore batters to a 0.74 average.

5. Mitch Garver, who is now a backup catcher with the Twins, was named the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2017 while hitting .291 with 17 home runs at Triple-A Rochester.

6. The Rays starters on opening day last week included Twins alums Carlos Gomez, Wilson Ramos and Denard Span.

7. The temperature was 33 degrees for the Twins home opener at Met Stadium against the Angels on April 14, 1962. (Hope you had a good trivia quiz to divert attention from the cold.)

8. After relocating from Washington D.C. and changing their name from the Senators to the Twins, Minnesota’s new major league baseball franchise played its first ever regular season game on April 11, 1961 in New York and defeated the Yankees 6-0.

9. Gene Mauch, known as “the little general,” managed the Twins from 1976-1980, and he also managed the minor league Minneapolis Millers during the 1958 and 1959 seasons.

10. Paul Molitor was the AL Manager of the Year Award in 2017. His Twins predecessors in winning the award in the last 30 years are Tom Kelly in 1991 and Ron Gardenhire in 2010.

11. Minnesota won the World Series in 1987 and 1991 with dramatic Game Seven victories in the Metrodome against the Cardinals and Braves.

12. The Twins will play the Indians in the Puerto Rico Series in San Juan April 17 and 18.

13. Relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, who turned 41 last month, is the Twins’ oldest player and has been in the big leagues since 2002.

14. Minnesota native Pat Neshek, who pitched for the Twins from 2006-2010, is with the Phillies—his seventh big league team.

15. Bert Blyleven will be 67 tomorrow (Friday). Happy Birthday, Bert. You are “circled.”

Max Kepler (photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins).

16 Apparently German-born Twins right fielder Max Kepler gets his athleticism from his parents who were ballet dancers.

17. As a high school quarterback Joe Mauer verbally committed to Florida State but decided to play pro baseball after leaving Cretin-Derham Hall.

18. Eduardo Escobar, 5-10 and 185 pounds, was referred to as “Mighty Mouse” last year when he hit a career high 21 home runs.

19. St. Paul native Jack Morris, beloved in Minnesota for pitching the Twins to their 1-0 Game Seven World Series win in 1991, will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.

20. In 1989 the Twins became the first ever American League franchise to draw more than 3 million fans.

21. Tight-fisted Calvin Griffith prompted that quote from Jim Kaat on throwing nickels around like “manhole covers.”

22. Miguel Sano, despite playing in only 114 games, was second on the Twins in home runs last season with 28.

23. Logan Morrison, in his eighth year in the big leagues, grooved his swing last season with the Rays hitting a career high 38 home runs—15 more than his previous high.

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

25. Membership in the Twins’ 2,000 hit club belongs to Kirby Puckett with 2,304 and Rod Carew, 2,085.

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Twins Likely to Avoid Final 4 Conflict

Posted on April 3, 2018April 4, 2018 by David Shama

A Tuesday notes column leading off with Twins news.

The Twins have requested they not be scheduled for home games at Target Field during the April 6-8, 2019 Final Four in Minneapolis. Club president Dave St. Peter said after consulting with Final Four organizers and considering potential issues with hotel rooms, traffic and other concerns the Twins have requested that Major League Baseball schedule the team on the road during that early period in April.

The club has yet to receive the 2019 MLB schedule but it sounds like their request will be honored. “It will be very likely that we will be on the road during the Final Four next year,” St. Peter told Sports Headliners yesterday.

Because of the request to avoid the early April dates, the Twins’ 2019 regular season opening could begin at home outdoors in March. St. Peter said MLB teams may open the schedule on March 28. Since the opening of Target Field on 2010, the Twins have been scheduled at home to start the season just once.

St. Peter also said suspended starting shortstop Jorge Polanco is at the Twins’ complex in Fort Myers where he is playing in what’s called “extended spring training games.” Polanco and others in the Twins system who have yet to be assigned to a specific team in the minor leagues play against similar competition from other organizations.

St. Peter said Polanco, who is suspended for using a performance-enhancing substance, will play for one or more Twins minor league teams starting 20 days out from the end of his 80 game suspension.

Gophers 1968-1969 basketball captain Al Nuness arranged a trip in 2010 with cousins Tyus and Tre Jones to the Final Four in Indianapolis. At that time Tyus was in eighth grade and Tre was a grade schooler. Back then no one could have predicted the basketball success the Jones brothers have achieved eight years later.

Tre, a senior now at Apple Valley, was named the state’s Mr. Basketball last week and played in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game featuring the best prep players in the nation. Those are two honors Tyus earned in 2014. The Mr. Basketball Award dates back to the 1970s, and Tre and Tyus are the only brothers to win the award.

Tyus and Tre led Apple Valley to Class 4A state championships playing for the Eagles. Tyus was named the 2015 Final Four most outstanding player when Duke won the national championship and a few months later found himself on the roster of his hometown NBA Timberwolves. Next fall Tre joins a loaded with talent Duke team that could be consensus preseason favorites to win the 2019 Final Four in Minneapolis.

So it looks like Nuness, who took his young cousins to Indy eight years ago to inspire them, might be able to witness another headline moment in 2019. He saw in Indy how the two youngsters studied the Final Four players in 2010 and the trip certainly made an impression. “We went to practices and they wouldn’t leave,” Nuness has said.

Tyus, who turns 22 next month, is one of only six players who were on the Wolves’ roster in April of last year. The club has nine new players including injured forward Jimmy Butler who the Wolves hope will return soon from his knee surgery and at least be available for the playoffs if Minnesota can qualify.

The Wolves have sold out 15 games at Target Center this season, the most since 2003-2004 when they last qualified for the postseason.

The Pirates’ Jameson Taillon, who overcame testicular cancer last year, earned his first win this season after starting against the Twins yesterday. Taillon, 8-7 with a 4.44 ERA last season, was the second MLB overall draft choice in 2010 and debuted with the Pirates in 2016.

The Twins haven’t had success bringing over high profile players from Japan but it looks like a different story for the Angels and rookie pitcher-DH Shohei Ohtani. He won his MLB pitching debut Sunday against the Angels, showing off a 100-miles per hour fast ball, according to NBC Sports California who reported 240 Japanese media were at the game in Oakland against the A’s.

It’s a good guess former Gopher coach Tubby Smith’s salary at his new position with High Point University in North Carolina is paying him less than $200,000 annually. A financial report on athletics from the University for school year June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014 listed head basketball coach Scott Cherry’s compensation at $89,601. The same report listed basketball revenues during that period at about $1.9 million and operating expenses of approximately $1.6 million.

Smith, who played at High Point, is at his third school since being fired by the Gophers in March of 2013. Smith earned seven-figure compensation while coaching at Minnesota, Texas Tech and Memphis where he was dismissed last month and reportedly received a settlement of over $9 million.

The Gophers are offering discounted season tickets for football and men’s basketball and hockey to U alums who have graduated within the last five years. Pricing per ticket is $199 for football, $249 for basketball and $399 for hockey.

Fans can scout Minnesota Wild unsigned draft picks Nicholas Boka (Michigan), Avery Peterson (UMD) and Nick Swaney (UMD) in the NCAA Frozen Four April 5-7 at Xcel Energy Center. UMD plays Ohio State in the first semifinal the evening of April 5, while Michigan meets Notre Dame in the other semifinal. Both games will be televised on ESPN2. The championship game the night of April 7 will be seen on ESPN.

The Wild, who qualified for the playoffs last night, are one of only two NHL teams (Pittsburgh is the other) that has made the postseason six consecutive years.

Gopher baseball coach John Anderson, who labels Indiana as the favorite for the Big Ten title but sees his team as a contender, speaks to the CORES lunch group May 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. More information is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

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