Twins – Page 17 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Gophers Reverse Trends with Axe Win Over Badgers

Posted on November 29, 2024November 29, 2024 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota left a sweet taste in the mouths of their fans today with a dominant 24-7 win over the Badgers in Madison. A day after Thanksgiving, the Gophers finished their regular season in the public perception plus-column, and improved their positioning for a favorable bowl destination.

Minnesota finished 7-5 overall and 5-4 in Big Ten games. That looks and feels better than totals of 6-6 and 4-5.

With a bowl victory the Gophers can make their final record 8-5. That’s a lot better than last season’s 6-7 record that included a win in the lowly Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. The Gophers, BTW, were 3-6 in Big Ten games during their disappointing 2023 season that had followed two nine-win years that included winning conference records.

Minnesota ended a two-game losing streak after painful missed opportunities against Rutgers and Penn State. The win over the Badgers meant the Gophers finished 2-2 in November games after being 0-4 in November last year.

The win gave Minnesota possession of Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the third time in four years. The victory stopped a 2024 string of rivalry game losses, with the Gophers unable to win the Little Brown Jug against Michigan, Floyd of Rosedale, Iowa, and the Governor’s Victory Bell, Penn State.

The win in Madison assured the Gophers they won’t go bowling in Detroit this year. Destinations in Charlotte, Nashville or Phoenix loom as warmer and more attractive possibilities. An appearance and win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte will set up one of the more interesting on the field celebrations as the winning coach gets soaked in gallons of mayonnaise.

Gophers’ coach P.J. Fleck is undoubtedly up for the experience. His players gave him a nice 44^th birthday present today. He deflected attention from himself after the game during an interview with CBS, saying “after 40 you stop counting and you stop celebrating.”

Fleck said before the game on KFXN-FM: “We have to create turnovers.”

The Gophers didn’t do that, but they were in charge most of the game. Minnesota led 14-0 at the half and 21-7 after the third quarter. The Badgers might never have scored in the game if not for a foolish personal foul play by Joey Gerlach bailed them out of what would have been a fourth and more than 10 yards to go situation. Wisconsin got a first down and later scored their only TD of the game on a 15-yard pass that created some momentum for the Badgers then trailing 21-7.

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer threw touchdown passes to Daniel Jackson and Jameson Geers, and scored on a one-yard tush-push. Brosmer, arguably the program’s top passing quarterback in decades, has a .668 best-ever completion percentage at Minnesota.

His consistency through the season was a trend Gopher fans can celebrate tonight. And here’s another that makes the fans in Dinkytown happy:

The Badgers’ 5-7 final record ends 22 seasons of winning records and likely bowl eligibility.

Worth Noting

Derik LeCaptain, the linebacker and special teams standout who blocked a punt against Penn State, is a team leader and has decided to return for a seventh season with the Gophers in 2025.

Can’t let the month of November pass without recalling Bob McNamara’s game for the ages against border rival Iowa. On November 13, 1954, 70 years ago, the All-American halfback from Hastings led the Gophers to a 22-20 win and a final 7-1 record in coach Murray Warmath’s first season in Minneapolis.

With more than 65,464 fans packed into Minnesota’s Memorial Stadium, the game’s highlight came in the first half with the score tied at 7-7. McNamara received an Iowa kickoff at Minnesota’s 11-yard line and made an 89-yard touchdown run that deserves a place among the most determined efforts in program history.

McNamara shook off Iowa tacklers, refusing to go down to the ground. Warmath said in his biography, The Autumn Warrior, that McNamara’s run was indeed the stuff of legends. “It was the finest example of brilliance and desire I have ever seen,” the coach praised.

Viking Ed Ingram talking about the adjustment in losing his starting right guard spot to Dalton Risner: “At the end of the day, if they didn’t want me they would have got rid of me so they obviously see something in me and they want me to just take a step back…just learn from a veteran. Just see what I can do.”

Ingram, a third-year veteran who has been a starter during his career, is facing a challenge now. “I feel like everybody has their own way of coping with it. Me personally, I pray a lot. I go to God. Whenever something like this happens, I just put it in his hands.”

St. Thomas senior running back Hope Adebayo from Inver Grove Heights is among 35 finalists for the Walter Payton Award recognizing the top offensive player in the FCS. He rushed for 1,137 yards this season, averaging 6.3 yards in 11 games.

The Twins front office could give the team and fanbase a boost if they signed Diamondbacks free agent Christian Walker. He’s won three consecutive Gold Gloves at first base. Last season he hit .251, with 26 home runs and 84 RBI. At 33, he is looking to cash in on his best ever contract and that looks like $22 million to $30 million for multiple years.

My friend Charley Walters reminded me of some humorous Herb Brooks wisdom the other day. The legendary hockey coach said eat dessert first, you never know what’s next.

Tickets costing up to $500 are available for the WWE extravaganza at Target Center next Friday and Saturday night.

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Turkey of the Year? Make Room for the Ducky Award

Posted on November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 by David Shama

Up here in the Bold North, when it comes to Thanksgiving, we’re a step ahead of the nation. Yes, we too gorge on turkey and watching football on television. But we’re unique because Minnesota is the top turkey producing state and…we’ve got Patrick Reusse’s Turkey of the Year column entertaining us every Thanksgiving.

The veteran scribe has been serving up a Turkey of the Year since 1978 when he was opining for the Pioneer Press. Since 1988 he has been bestowing the dubious honor as a favorite columnist for the Star Tribune.

I’ll guarantee there are throngs of Minnesotans who have been gossiping for days now in anticipation of who will be Reusse’s 2024 selection. An early favorite could be Joe Pohlad from the Twins. Joe’s grandfather, the late Carl Pohlad, is the only two-time winner on Reusse’s turkey list.

I sat next to the Turkey selection committee chair last month at a Timberwolves game. Reusse didn’t let out any clues about this year, retaining the policy of clandestine operations that keeps us on edge leading up to Thanksgiving morning. We conversed on various subjects, and he dazzled (as usual) with his recall about the local sports landscape.

It occurred to me awhile ago that there could be another annual award that Minnesotans might eagerly devour during Thanksgiving week.

So, let’s be honest.

The Turkey of the Year is someone, or some organization, that has screwed up. Here at Sports Headliners we’ve decided to go in a different direction.

I am pleased to announce the annual Sports Headliners Ducky Award. This honor will be bestowed on a Minnesota sports figure who is doing “just ducky.” To be considered by the Ducky committee this person has to be going through a delightful period in his or her career. The highest criteria will be someone we can look at and declare that life is pretty peachy keen.

The committee consists only of positive thinking devotees. We begin each meeting by reading out loud several paragraphs from a Norman Vincent Peale or Dale Carnegie classic. At one meeting the chairman (yours truly) went to the blackboard and drew up John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Committee homework assignments include listening to Tony Robbins talks and reading Harvey Mackay books.

Our research to determine the winner of the Ducky Award has been arduous but the chairman insists on a certain amount of frivolity. We laughed our way through the Marx brother’s movie Duck Soup, and younger committee members were astonished to see a film in black and white. Bedlam prevailed for a few moments until order was restored.

To keep things loose at the meetings I may offer a Dick Jonckowski joke. Here’s one:

A teacher asked where Jesus was born.

A student raised his hand and said, “Philly.”

Nope, said the teacher.

The same student then guessed “Pittsburgh.”

No, said the teacher who then told the class it was Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

The persistent student replied: “I knew it was in Pennsylvania.”

The duck tasting part of our meetings has been another committee pleaser. Our mouths have been watering from a steady diet of Duck a l’orange, classic Duck confit and smoked Duck breasts. At this Friday’s banquet feast honoring the award winner we’re serving Peking Duck and advising members to wear XXL gear.

On Monday we settled on the finalists and then chose the winner. The committee debated about issuing a news release to the media, but the chair insisted the world should first learn about the finalists and winner via Sports Headliners. (As I type this, I see Lester Holt’s name coming up on my phone. I am certain he wants to go national with the Ducky news as the lead story tonight on NBC).

No way.

So, the finalists are…

Karl-Anthony Towns photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns. We liked to pile on KAT when he played for the Timberwolves. Critics howled about his silly fouls, carping at the officials and lack of production in playoff games. After nine seasons in the Mini Apple, KAT is purring in the Big Apple with the Knicks where he is averaging 26.3 points and 12.6 points per game. He is playing at an All-NBA level, and no doubt is a Spike Lee favorite at Madison Square Garden. The Wolves are struggling on defense and miss the 7-footer’s presence on both ends of the court. Things are pretty ducky for the New Jersey born KAT.

Kirill Kaprizov. The 27-year-old superstar forward is No. 1 in the hearts of Wild fans and No. 2 in the NHL in points scored this fall with 34. His 13 goals trail only five other NHL players. The 2021 NHL Rookie of the Year has been a fan favorite from the beginning, including his first game when he became the first player in league history to score three points in his debut. Things are ducky with the team, too. The Wild, 13-4-4, has surprised the skeptics who before the season considered Minnesota to be on the bubble for the playoffs.

Bob Motzko. When a coach tells the public he has a darn good team it’s usually not bluster. Minnesota men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko doesn’t deal in hype, so best to take him at his word that the Gophers are deep and talented. He is in his seventh season at Minnesota after leading the St. Cloud State program for 13. A national championship has so far eluded Motzko with results that include Minnesota’s painful overtime loss to Quinnipiac in the 2023 Frozen Four title game. The Gophers are off to a 12-2 overall start, 6-0 in the Big Ten. Ranked among the best teams in the nation, the feeling here is Motzko and the Gophers are overdue for an NCAA crown. If they do that in the spring, Motzko will be positioned to win the 2025 Ducky.

Gable Steveson. The NCAA and Olympic wrestling champion announced earlier this month he will use a final season of eligibility to again compete for the Golden Gophers. “First I would like to thank the University of Minnesota for their time, their effort and their persistence with me to push me to the man I am today,” the Minnesota native said in his comeback video. “Minnesota has given me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it right back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to be the champ, one more time.”

With Steveson’s debut last Friday and Sunday (he scored dominant wins over his heavyweight foes), the Gophers earned their first consecutive team shutouts since 1997-1998 with victories over North Dakota State and Campbell. It could be a peachy season on the mat for Steveson and the undefeated Gophers.

And the winner is.

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell. Smiling KOC embodies what the Ducky Award is all about. Great disposition. Good results. Wouldn’t surprise our researchers if KOC was in those Gerber baby commercials years ago, with his face beaming into the camera and on the jar. In his third season as Vikings head coach, O’Connell has made a national reputation for creating a much-praised working environment for his players. They laud his leadership and support while also noting the boss enforces accountability.

In O’Connell’s first season as coach the surprising 13-4 Vikings reflected the poise of their new leader. They were an amazing 11-4 in one score victories, an NFL record. The Vikings are 9-2 this season, again surprising forecasters who had them winning around six games.

And things remain calm in Skol Country. As recently as Sunday Minnesota went into overtime in Chicago but defeated the Bears 30-27. A smilin’ KOC watched from the sidelines.

So that’s it, folks. The banquet will be at Hurley’s Hanging Gardens up Nordeastway. It’s sold out. BTW, if the Gophers surprise and beat Wisconsin earlier in the day on Friday, the duck feast will make way for Badger stew.

How ducky would that be?

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Twins Unknowns for 2025 Move into Historical Territory

Posted on November 16, 2024November 16, 2024 by David Shama

This is a historical offseason for the Twins, one with questions and uncertainties at a level not seen since more than 20 years ago when it appeared the franchise could dissolve via MLB contraction.

The fanbase is justified in scrutinizing the Twins on multiple fronts. These include ownership, front office leadership, personnel on the field and home options for watching games.

That’s a lot and the fanbase has patrons who are either angry, puzzled or apathetic about the franchise’s status. There are also customers who are pretty much on board no matter what’s going on because, win or lose, they embrace the nostalgia, charm and experience of the “grand old game” when played in Target Field—one of baseball’s great ballparks.

The Pohlads, to the applause of some fans, are exploring selling the franchise the family has operated since 1984. What interest and quality of ownership can the Pohlads attract? A new owner is always a roll of the dice for fans.

New ownership comes with no guarantee that things will be better than in the past— or even as good. Nor is there any certainty the best interests of fans will be a priority.

It’s believed the Pohlads will ask more than the $1.7 billion agreed upon by new ownership for the Orioles earlier this year. That doesn’t mean the Pohlads won’t settle for less but there’s certainly a bottom figure the family is willing to accept. And fans should be prepared to have them own the franchise indefinitely.

The average fan isn’t losing any sleep over who the next owner will be, but diehards are restless about the quality of the club that takes the field next season. The Twins looked like a certainty to make the playoffs last summer but plunged late in the season to a 82-80 record.

There were too many players who faltered in August and September. Their performances, whether veterans or inexperienced, raise questions going into 2025 as to whether they can perform well enough to help turn the Twins into a postseason club.

The Twins’ present roster doesn’t look complete enough as it is. Minnesota likely needs starting pitching help in the fourth or fifth spots, or both. Right-handed hitting from corner outfielders will also have to come from either another team or within the farm system.

Those personnel decisions will still receive attention from Derek Falvey, but newly promoted Jeremy Zoll now takes a larger role as the general manager. His success is needed to help shape whether the Twins can contend for a Central Division title in 2025. Fans wonder how he will do and also why former GM Thad Levine is no longer with the club.

Falvey will not only continue to lead the baseball department but also will head business operations replacing Dave St. Peter as president in 2025 as part of a gradual transition. Falvey has been president of baseball operations since late 2016 and the Pohlads think he can do both jobs. He is well liked within the organization and is a collaborator. St. Peter will stick around indefinitely as a consultant and point man on the pending sale of the franchise.

One question that fans feel is already answered is the 2025 budget to pay players which reportedly will remain about $130 million. That figure was down from a reported $156 million budget in 2023, cut at least in part because of declining local TV revenue.

For 2025 MLB will be taking over production and distribution of Twins games. A source told Sports Headliners he didn’t know how much less revenue this will result in for the franchise, but described it as significantly less than in 2023 and further back.

Fans will have to figure out what’s best for them regarding how to watch the team. Games will be available via television and streaming. New cable and satellite channels will offer games in the Twins’ market area. At least some subscribers will need to pay more than when the 2024 season began.

Some fans couldn’t watch games on cable for a couple of months this past season because of a contract dispute between Comcast Xfinity and Bally Sports North.

Worth Noting

St. Peter, who announced this week he is transitioning from Twins president to an advisory role, is a Horatio Alger story. The University of North Dakota alum had a humble start in the Twin Cities including internships with the NHL North Stars and the Twins. He impressed Twins leaders early on, including when he managed the team’s pro shop in Richfield in 1991. Eleven years later he became the franchise’s fourth president.

St. Peter’s legacy includes his leadership in the drive to build Target Field, now recognized among the premier baseball stadiums in the country. Just his knowledge of stadiums seemingly positions him as a potential consultant to cities hoping to attract a MLB franchise.

The 7-6 Timberwolves are 4-1 when Anthony Edwards scores 30 or more points. He had 36 in last night’s overtime win against the Kings in Sacramento.

Gopher forward Parker Fox, now in his eighth season of college basketball, is worth a listen on Mondays in the 11 a.m. hour when he joins the Paul Allen program on KFNX-FM.

A Sports Headliners reader emailed to report that among those witnessing last Wednesday’s 14-point first half debacle by the basketball Gophers at Williams Arena was Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle. The Gophers, 2-1, lost 54-51 to North Texas, 3-0.

Jamal Mashburn Jr., who played one season for the Gophers and three at New Mexico, is in his final year of college eligibility at Temple where after four games the 6-2 guard is averaging 23.5 points per game.

The Minnesota Old Timers Hockey Association holds its annual November luncheon November 25 at Mancini’s Char House in St. Paul. Minneapolis native, former Gopher and ex-Red Wings player Reed Larson will be the speaker, with Dick Jonckowski the emcee.

Jonckowski, who turned 81 last month, no longer drives because of family concerns but gets rides from others and is still working events. Don’t bother to ask for the Polish Eagle’s email address, he’s never had a computer and doesn’t plan on buying one.

Erich Martens, executive director of the Minnesota State High School League, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game.” Martens talks about the MSHL providing a fun, fair and safe environment for all concerned including athletes and coaches. Co-hosts are Patrick Klinger and Dave Boden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tys0YUBHY&t=22s

Longtime professional wrestling fans were saddened to learn of Al DeRusha’s passing away at age 88 earlier this month. The Twin Cities native made a living behind and in front of TV cameras promoting shows for Verne Gagne (AWA) and Vince McMahon (WWF). A career highlight was DeRusha’s 2015 induction into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Carson Hansen, who was the A.P. Minnesota Player of the Year when he was at Lakeville South, leads the Iowa State Cyclones in both rushing yards, 495, and touchdowns, eight.

Chase Thompson, at 6-8 among the tallest quarterbacks in Minnesota prep history, is one of 10 finalists for the Mr. Football Award that will be announced December 15. The Alexandria athlete has committed to Clemson’s basketball program. He is the younger brother of former Gopher basketball player Treyton Thompson who is now at Stetson.

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