Twins – Page 138 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Twins New Bosses Face Fan Anger

Posted on November 7, 2016November 7, 2016 by David Shama

The Twins introduced new baseball department bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to the media and fans today. News of their appointments won’t sell many tickets or immediately improve a team that lost 103 games last season.

Falvey is the new executive vice president and chief baseball officer. Levine’s title is senior vice president and general manager. They represent a new start for a franchise that has lost over 90 games in five of the last six seasons. Home attendance has declined every year, with the Twins drawing less than two million fans last season for the first time since moving into Target Field in 2010.

Fans have become both angry and apathetic. A knowledgeable sports industry source told Sports Headliners he heard the Twins’ season tickets total is about 8,800 right now. Another source believes the final total for 2017 will be about 10,000. When the club started playing at Target Field the season tickets total was approximately 25,000.

TV viewership was dismal at times last season. A ratings authority said the Nielsen results for a Twins-Blue Jays game in August showed no viewers in the 600-home meters sample size. “That’s never happened before with the Twins,” the source said.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners earlier this year market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise. To rally the fan base, though, Falvey and Levine will have to make changes that re-energize the public.

At the top of the to-do list is adding a couple of marquee players to the roster before next season. The Twins have a reputation for usually not spending significantly on free agents—nor wisely when they do. Their offseason shopping list might start with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos who the Twins errantly traded away to the Nationals in 2010 for closer Matt Capps. Ramos, 29, had a breakout year in 2016, becoming a National League All-Star and hitting .307 with 22 home runs with 80 RBI.

Everyone knows the Twins need to upgrade their pitching staff and that assignment might be where Falvey and Levine can show their smarts first. If they can identity the right pitching help this offseason, that will be impressive. Without better starters and relievers, the Twins are probably a lock to finish last in the American League Central Division again.

The shopping list should also include a clubhouse leader. The Twins never replaced role model vet Torii Hunter who retired after the 2015 season. His leadership and hitting production were key reasons why the 2015 team had a winning record (83-79).

Falvey and Levine should show the fan base they are changing the culture in the baseball department. Change is anticipated to include increased use of analytics but it’s also expected to result in new faces in the organization. Changes might include new coaches.

Levine indicated at today’s news conference he and Falvey see manager Paul Molitor as “someone they can invest in.” No reassurances were made, though, that all the coaches on Molitor’s staff will return. Rob Antony, who has been leading the baseball operation, drew praise from Falvey who didn’t hint at change there.

The 33-year-old Falvey and the 44-year-old Levine have a big job ahead. In a few years the results of their decisions will be known. Let them do things now they believe will give the Twins the best chance to win in 2017 and beyond.

Falvey comes from the Indians where he was assistant general manager. His most extensive experience with the organization was serving four years as the director of baseball operations. Levine has spent the past 11 seasons as assistant general manager for the Rangers.

Worth Noting

Falvey and Levine impressed with their answers at today’s news conference, with the latter more than once showing a sense of humor. The transplanted Texan said he had been warned about Minneapolis weather in November but temps have been mild. “This is actually a lovely time of year up here,” Levine said.

Bo Hellquist, the former UMD pitcher from Savage who signed as a free agent with the Twins in June, had a 5-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 11 games pitching in the Gulf Coast League for rookies.

Jay Buckley’s Baseball Tours, operating from La Crosse, Wisconsin, has announced 30 trips for 2017 including games to see the World Series champion Cubs. Billed as the “Ultimate Wrigley Field Experience,” the Chicago trip will allow fans to watch games from the stadium and a rooftop. More at Jaybuckley.com.

Give the Gophers and coach Don Lucia credit for a weekend with a tie and a win over North Dakota, a team that has been ranked No. 1 in the country. Saturday night’s announced attendance was 10,310—the ninth largest ever at Mariucci Arena.

The Sports Illustrated College Basketball Projection System simulates the season ahead 10,000 times and ranks teams from No. 1 to 351. The Gophers are No. 97, just behind East Tennessee State and one spot ahead of South Dakota State. Minnesota ranks 13th in the 14-team Big Ten Conference. Rutgers—ouch!—is 224th.

S.I. ranks Duke No. 1 in the nation, while Big Ten teams in the top 16 are Wisconsin No. 8, Purdue No. 11 and Indiana No. 14.

Emmit Carpenter, who kicked three field goals including two of over 50 yards in the Gophers’ win over Purdue Saturday, was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week today.

New Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur impressed yesterday with his use of various personnel and play calling, including a surprise touchdown run by reserve tight end Rhett Ellison in Minnesota’s 22-16 loss to the Lions.

Bleacherreport.com’s NFL power rankings this morning have the Lions at No. 11 and the Vikings No. 12. The Redskins, who the Vikings play next Sunday, are No. 13, while the Patriots rank first.

Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a current exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, and one that Vikings fans will enjoy. The travelling exhibit, on display through January 15, includes an area devoted to the Minnesota NFL franchise. In addition to the Hometown Heroes section, fans can enjoy and learn about the history of pro football including how Ole Haugsrud purchased the Duluth Eskimos franchise for $1 in 1925. Haugsrud later became one of the original Vikings owners.

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Joe Mauer Decline Not Going Away

Posted on September 26, 2016September 27, 2016 by David Shama

Whatever is wrong with Joe Mauer isn’t changing. With the Twins season ending within days, the 33-year-old Mauer is finishing yet another dismal year at the plate.

The rumors about what ails Mauer have even included speculation he has a crippling disease. Truth could be the former three-time American League batting champion continues to deteriorate as a productive hitter because of concussions and aging.

A source with decades of experience in baseball told Sports Headliners he doesn’t know what’s wrong with Mauer but the causes might be the two factors mentioned immediately above.

Mauer’s well publicized concussion in 2013 led to him being moved from catching to first base.Dating back to high school who knows how many other concussions the Minnesota native may have experienced in athletics? Damage to the brain, the source speculated, could be impacting the response and effectiveness of Mauer’s body at the plate as he struggles to be the hitter he once was. Motor skills, the source reminded, are everything when trying to hit a baseball thrown at 95 miles per hour.

Mauer has a history of injuries and critics question how successfully he works through them. As of late, Mauer has been troubled by strained and sore quadriceps. With an aging body that turns 34 next April, injuries could be a continuing pattern for Mauer who no doubt will welcome the season’s end and the opportunity to rest.

Other than being supportive, the Twins don’t have much to say about the one-time superstar’s decline. Mauer thought before the season he was headed toward a better year after more time had gone by since his 2013 concussion. But the 2016 statistics tell a similar story to the last two seasons.

The lifetime .309 hitter, who won the 2009 league batting championship with a .365 average, is hitting .261 as the Twins approach the end of their schedule next Sunday. Mauer has 11 home runs and 49 RBI. Last year he hit .265 with 10 home runs and 66 RBI. In 2014 the numbers were .277, 4 homers and 55 RBI.

Mauer isn’t making contact with the ball like he did when he routinely hit over .300. He struck out a career high 112 times last season. This year, in about 100 fewer at bats, he has struck out 93 times.

Those are alarming numbers for a guy with Mauer’s past record of success. They also leave fans frustrated that the Twins are paying Mauer $23 million per season and receiving that kind of return. A lot more is expected from a hitter who bats high in the batting order earns mega compensation.

If the Twins were winning, Mauer would still be a sensitive subject with fans, but playing for a club that has lost more than 90 games in five of the last six years puts him in the eye of the storm. With two years left on his contract, Mauer is owed another $46 million.

Mauer and the Twins can only hope he can improve his production. He certainly isn’t finishing this season in that direction. In his last seven games he is batting .080, and in the last 30 games .196.

Worth Noting

At 100 losses and counting, there is still valid conversation that a contributing reason for the Twins’ awful record after finishing 83-79 last season is the absence of veteran outfielder Torii Hunter who retired. Hunter was a strong personality in the clubhouse who was willing to push underachieving teammates, and his leadership is still missed.

The Twins finished their 2016 home schedule drawing 1,963,912 fans—the lowest ever at Target Field and first time below 2 million.

Vikings guard Alex Boone suffered a reported hip injury in yesterday’s impressive win over the Panthers, and had an MRI today. “He should be okay, I think,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said this afternoon. Zimmer is unsure, though, if Boone will be able to play next Monday night against the Giants.

The 3-0 Vikings, who gave up just one touchdown in yesterday’s 22-10 win, are allowing an NFL-third best 13.3 points per game. Opponents have scored only 13 second half points this season.

Since Zimmer took over the team for the 2014 season, the Vikings have 99 sacks—second best in the NFL. During that period defensive end Everson Griffen, who had three sacks yesterday, has the fourth most sacks in the league with 26.5.

Zimmer stays in touch with his former boss and NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells who is now retired. “He gives me advice on my team,” Zimmer said.

If pressed for a way-too-early prediction on who the Gophers quarterback will be next season, Ryan Burns guessed Mark Williams. The GopherIllustrated authority likes the athleticism and arm strength of the true freshman from Gainestown, Alabama, and believes Williams could replace Mitch Leidner as Minnesota’s starting quarterback in 2017.

Penn State coach James Franklin and his players will attempt redemption in Saturday’s home game against the Gophers after being embarrassed 49-10 last weekend in Ann Arbor. Michigan led the Nittany Lions 28-0 in the third quarter when with fourth and two at the Wolverines’ goal line, Franklin decided on a field goal rather than pursue a touchdown.

Brandon Lingen, the Gophers tight end with All-Big Ten potential, is still about three weeks away from playing because of his broken clavicle, Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys said today (Tuesday). Other Gophers who won’t play Saturday are Carter Coughlin, Ta’yon Devers, Coney Durr, Nick Rallis, Ace Rogers, Alex Starks and Rashad Still.

Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson, a Redwood Falls native and University of Minnesota alum, attended Saturday’s Gophers-Colorado State game. Mountain West officials worked the game.

Former Gophers defensive coordinator Greg Hudson now has that title at Notre Dame after Irish coach Brian Kelly fired Brian VanGorder last weekend. Hudson, a former Notre Dame player and assistant coach, was let go at Purdue after last season and was available to replace VanGorder for the defensive-challenged and 1-3 Irish.

There continues to be no word from the Gophers on the contract status of hockey coach Don Lucia. The 2016-2017 season is his last under contract.

Lindy’s College Basketball Magazine predicts the Gophers will finish 13th in the Big Ten, ahead of only Rutgers in the conference standings. “Best case scenario: They’re at least a year away from postseason play,” the magazine forecast.

The Gophers open their Big Ten schedule December 27 at home against Michigan State. Lindy’s ranks the Spartans No. 11 nationally. The magazine’s top-rated Big Ten team nationally is sixth ranked Wisconsin.

A source from Rochester, Minnesota told Sports Headliners North Carolina coach Roy Williams was in town last week recruiting John Marshall High School’s Matthew Hurt. Kansas coach Bill Self visited Rochester recently too in pursuit of the sophomore forward who is already among the more highly recruited boys basketball players in state history.

While Matthew wants a pro basketball career, older brother Michael is a freshman with the Gophers and plans to be a doctor. The close relationship between the two brothers will help Minnesota’s chances of gaining a commitment from Matthew.

St. Paul Saints part owner Bill Murray is scheduled to be among the celebrities participating in a nine-hole scramble tomorrow from 2 to 5:45 p.m. at Hazeltine National Golf Club. The Ryder Cup Celebrity Match will have personalities from the United States and Europe playing against one another. Michael Phelps is expected to be among Murray’s U.S. teammates, and Europe’s roster includes Martina Navratilova.

Ryder Cup ceremonies on Thursday will feature business leaders holding flags including WCHA men’s commissioner Bill Robertson with the American flag.

Cal Franklin of the American Marshals will be making the “Let’s Play Hockey” call at the Wild-Hurricanes preseason game tomorrow night at Xcel Energy. The Wayzata businessman is part of the Marshals group of golf enthusiasts who are unofficial ambassadors of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. They have provided support at the last four Ryder Cups in Kentucky, Wales, Chicago and Scotland.

Most Ryder Cup players are renting homes on Lake Minnetonka or at Bearpath Golf and Country Club.

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No Need to Panic over Peterson Injury

Posted on September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 by David Shama

Adrian Peterson’s right knee injury and possible absence for future games seems unlikely to derail the Vikings’ goal of winning a second consecutive NFC North Division championship.

Adrian Peterson (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Peterson had to leave last night’s Vikings-Packers game because of what has been diagnosed as a torn meniscus. Head coach Mike Zimmer said this afternoon more evaluation about Peterson is ahead including determining whether he can practice this week and if he will miss games next Sunday and beyond.

The Vikings won a 17-14 game over their primary division rival with Peterson rushing for only 19 yards. The Vikings, now 2-0, won their opening game against the Titans with Peterson rushing for 31 yards. Defenses have been crowding the line of scrimmage and while runs have been mostly unsuccessful, sometimes Peterson’s presence creates opportunities for the passing game.

In today’s NFL emphasizing pass defenders, quarterbacks and receivers, even future Hall of Famer runners like the 31-year-old Peterson can see their importance lessened. The Vikings probably have at least four players more vital to winning another division title and advancing in the playoffs than Peterson.

Those players are defensive end Everson Griffen, safety Harrison Smith, quarterback Sam Bradford and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Griffen, Smith and Diggs were known as high impact players going into last night’s game, while Bradford, in his first game for the Vikings since being acquired earlier this month from the Eagles, joined the group.

Bradford held his ground in the pocket and was impressive completing passes, including what looked like low percentage touchdown throws to Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph. His passing may have been the most eye-catching by a Vikings quarterback since Brett Favre was here several years ago.

Bradford’s potential continued success, of course, is huge for the Vikings because starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is out for the season. The Vikings hope that Bradford, 29, can not only perform but stay healthy with only 36-year-old reserve Shaun Hill in reserve.

Vikings defensive back Captain Munnerlyn told Sports Headliners he regards Peterson as the best runner in the league but the team expects to keep winning when it loses players. “We’re not a one-man show. It’s a team thing,” he said.

The Vikings defense has been extraordinary in two wins so far—even creating turnovers and scoring points while encouraging the notion that few other units in the NFL are better. Defensive end Brian Robison said the defense is ready to help if the Vikings are without Peterson.

“Us as a defense, we’re gonna put it on our shoulders and we’re gonna make sure that we do whatever we can do in order to put the offense in a good position,” Robison said. “Hopefully keep creating turnovers and get them in good field position. …”

Worth Noting

Bradford talking about the noisy fan support last night at U.S. Bank Stadium: “That’s one of the best atmospheres I’ve probably every played in. …They (the Packers) were having a hard time communicating. I think there were times we were having a hard time communicating because it was so loud in there.

“It’s fun when you get to play in an atmosphere like that. It’s not an every-week thing. You don’t get to play in front of crowds like that all the time, so when you do it’s really special.”

The five giant pivoting doors were open for last night’s debut regular season game at U.S. Bank Stadium because it was important to the Vikings management, according to a stadium source. The announced temperature inside the stadium at kickoff was 77 degrees, about five degrees more than if the doors were closed and the air conditioning didn’t have to contend so much with outside heat and humidity.

The Super Bowl quality halftime show that included the Minnesota Orchestra required about 200 people including support personnel. Twelve minutes was allocated for total time.

The Vikings are now 6-11 against Aaron Rodgers when he is the starting quarterback for the Packers. He has thrown 36 touchdown passes in those games.

The Packers opened the season at Jacksonville, then came to Minneapolis for last night’s game. It’s the first time since 1924 the Packers have played their first two regular season games on the road.

Right now it looks like Moritz Bohringer, the 22-year-old wide receiver from Aalen, Germany who never played college football, is probably a long shot to develop an NFL career. He is on the Vikings’ practice squad but there is no guarantee he will keep his spot, or be activated to the playing roster.

Former Vikings kicker Fred Cox will (for a fee) sign memorabilia and pose for photos on Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. His appearance is part of the two-day Saturday-Sunday Triple Crown Sports Collectibles show. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Big Ten schools, including Minnesota, receive equal shares of conference TV revenues. A new TV deal is expected to give the Gophers and the other 13 schools $45 to $50 million each on an annual basis.

However, there are big differences between schools in revenues such as ticket receipts. A Big Ten source told Sports Headliners Ohio State had $45.5 million in football ticket revenues last year, while the Gophers generated $12.5 million. Ohio State’s radio rights partner pays the Buckeyes $14 million, while the Gophers receive $7.5 million.

The Korn Ferry firm working on the Twins search for an executive to lead its baseball operations is headquartered in Los Angeles but has an office in Minneapolis. A former search industry leader praised Korn Ferry in an email to Sports Headliners.

“(The) Twins have hired one of the best firms to handle the search for their top baseball job,” he wrote. “Korn Ferry is often used to find CEOs for the largest companies in the nation. …”

“A search firm brings objectivity and confidentiality to the search that other means don’t offer. Relying on referrals and contacts from the baseball fraternity misses both of those important points. Finding an exec who will manage from ‘30,000 feet’ and is not part of the baseball family may be what this franchise needs. Traditional businesses often hire outside of their industry to bring in executive management skills that are transferable.”

It is expensive to use a high profile search firm. “A typical search usually costs 30 percent of the total first year compensation (of the person hired), including a signing bonus, plus all direct related expenses,” the source wrote in his email.

Twins curator Clyde Doepner, an expert on the franchise’s memorabilia, will speak to the “Breakfast with Leroy” group Saturday at the Bloomington Knights of Columbus, 1114 American Blvd West. A breakfast buffet starting at 9 a.m. precedes Doepner’s remarks. The public is invited with more information available by contacting Pat Rickert at 612-861-3981.

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